last updated on May 2, 2024

These black sesame cinnamon rolls are my dream breakfast. They’re pillowy soft and packed with black sesame flavor. If you love black sesame flavor, you will be obsessed with these cinnamon rolls.

The first time I tried anything black sesame flavored was nearly 8 years ago when I was living in California. There was a soft serve ice cream shop I was obsessed with called Somi Somi (it still exists and I still go every time I am there). They frequently had a black sesame flavored soft serve that was absolutely unreal. Perfectly nutty, creamy, and smooth. Since then I had loved anything black sesame flavor and cannot get enough. Cinnamon rolls are one of my favorite things on the planet, so it only made sense to combine the two. The result is a soft cinnamon roll with smooth, nutty flavored cream cheese frosting.

ingredients needed for black sesame cinnamon rolls

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black sesame cinnamon rolls

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Prep Time 30 minutes mins

Cook Time 30 minutes mins

Rising Time 2 hours hrs

Total Time 3 hours hrs

Course Breakfast, Dessert

Servings 12 cinnamon rolls

ingredients

  

cinnamon rolls

• 1 cup warm milk 105-110F
• 1 tbsp instant yeast or one packet
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 1/4 cup butter melted
• 2 eggs at room temp
• 3 1/2 cups bread flour or AP flour (455 grams)
• 1 tsp salt

filling

• 1/4 cup butter at room temp
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 1/4 cup black sesame seeds
• 2 tsp cinnamon

black sesame frosting

• 1/4 cup butter at room temp
• 8 oz cream cheese at room temp
• 2 cups powdered sugar
• 1/4 cup black sesame seeds
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 tbsp heavy cream or milk

instructions

 

• Begin by making the dough. Add the warm milk, instant yeast, sugar, eggs, and butter to the bowl of a stand mixer. Mix with a rubber spatula until everything is combined.
• Add the flour and salt. Attach a dough hook onto the stand mixer and mix on low until a rough dough forms. Turn the mixer up to medium and let the dough mix for 5-6 minutes until a smooth dough forms. If the dough is really sticky, add a few more tablespoons of flour. The dough should be very soft and slightly sticky, but not really wet.
• Cover the dough with a light towel or plastic wrap and set it aside to rise until it's doubled in size (about 1-1.5 hours).
• When the dough is almost done rising, make the filling. Add the black sesame seeds to a coffee bean grinder or a food processor. Pulse until the sesame seeds are finely blended.
• Add the butter, brown sugar, blended black sesame seeds, and cinnamon to a bowl. Stir until well combined and a paste forms.
• When the dough is done rising, transfer the dough to a floured surface. Stretch and roll the dough out into a 12×18" rectangle. Add the paste onto the top of the dough. Use an offset spatula or rubber spatula to spread the filling evenly out on the dough, leaving about 1/2 inch uncovered on one of the long ends.
• Starting on the opposite end of the uncovered strip, roll up the dough, sealing the ends so it doesn't unroll. Use a sharp knife to cut the log into 12 even cinnamon rolls, each one about 2 inches wide.
• Transfer the rolls to a well-greased 9×13" pan. Cover with a towel or plastic wrap and let them rise for 30 minutes.
• When the rolls are almost finished rising, preheat the oven to 350F. Transfer the rolls into the oven and bake for 20-25 minutes, until golden brown on top. Remove from the oven and let the rolls cool.
• While the rolls are baking, make the frosting. Add the butter to a small pot over medium heat. Stir while the butter melts, then continue to stir while the butter starts to bubble and foam up. When the foam subsides, you'll be left with brown, nutty smelling butter.
• Pour the brown butter into a bowl. Add the cream cheese and use a hand mixer (or stand mixer) to mix until combined. Blend the black sesame seeds. Add the powdered sugar, blended black sesame seeds, and vanilla extract. Mix again until a smooth frosting forms. Add the heavy cream and mix again.
• Top each cinnamon roll with black sesame frosting and enjoy while they're warm!

Notes

Keep any extra cinnamon rolls in the fridge.