Unbelievably Vegan Chocolate Pistachio Sweet Rolls
These deliciously soft and plush chocolate pistachio swirls are a copycat of the Starbucks® version–and taste just as decadent! With a creamy chocolate cream cheese filling and toasted pistachios, these chocolate sweet rolls are naturally vegan, and dairy-free!
This recipe post is sponsored by Florida Crystals® Sugar. All opinions are my own. Thank you for supporting The Banana Diaries!
What are chocolate pistachio swirls?
If you’ve been to Starbucks® lately, then you’ve heard of the new holiday treat, chocolate pistachio swirls. They’re a brioche bun filled with a tangy chocolate cream and toasted pistachios, all swirled in one.
Chocolate pistachio swirls are similar to cinnamon rolls in that they use a brioche dough. However, the fillings are quite different!
Absolutely decadent, and definitely not vegan (nor dairy-free!). However, like my Vegan Cranberry Bliss Bars and Vegan Pumpkin Bread, we’re going to completely veganize this new holiday classic!
What you need to make Vegan Chocolate Sweet Rolls:
- Flour: I recommend using bread flour here, but all-purpose flour will work. For gluten free, see my notes below!
- Dairy-free yogurt: This is our vegan egg replacement.
- Vegan butter: Make sure that you bring this to room temperature for making the dough and the filling.
- Dairy-free milk: Any non-dairy milk will work here–soy milk, oat milk, almond milk, or coconut milk!
- Quick rise yeast: I like to use quick rise (or rapid rise) over dry active to speed up the process.
- Florida Crystals® Organic Light Brown Raw Cane Sugar: This is my absolute favorite part of the recipe. We’re using my go-to sugar brand, Florida Crystals®, but instead of their Organic Raw Cane Sugar, we’re using the Organic Light Brown Raw Cane Sugar. This is because brown sugar contains molasses, and will add a more complex and rich flavor and texture to both the dough and filling. More on Florida Crystals® below, and why I love them!
- Vegan cream cheese: You can use a nut-free or nut-based cream cheese here. Either works!
- Cocoa powder: For the chocolate filling.
- Toasted pistachios: Make sure that you grab shelled pistachios. It will save you a ton of time!
Why choose Florida Crystals® Sugar when baking vegan:
If you’ve been a Banana reader for a while, then you’re familiar with me recommending Florida Crystals® Sugar of all kinds (and you might have seen some of our previous recipes we’ve done together, including these Vegan Strawberry Cupcakes, and these Vegan Owl Sugar Cookies!).
This is because Florida Crystals®️ is the only vegan-certified (which can be difficult to come by) sugar that comes from sustainably grown U.S sugarcane. Many sugars in America are actually processed with bone char to whiten them, making them not suitable for vegans.
However, Florida Crystals® uses its own mills to yield minimally processed, unrefined sugars that are both organic-certified and vegan-certified.
Not only that, Florida Crystals® Sugar uses sugarcane fiber to self-sustain their mills, creating renewable energy. To me, being vegan is not just about the food, but about our way of life– if we’re vegan, then we’re also working with the planet. So seeing that Florida Crystals® really values sustainability is easily another reason why I can’t stop recommending them.
But of course, the quality and taste are as unmatched as their being the largest renewable energy facility in North America. Quality of ingredients always translates over to the final end result of the product, both in look and taste.
One bite of these Starbucks® Copycat Chocolate Pistachio Swirls (or any treat that you’re using Florida Crystals® in), and you can instantly tell that this is truly the best that these chocolate sweet rolls can taste.
Making chocolate sweet rolls:
Now back to the process of making these chocolate sweet rolls! Once you’ve gathered your ingredients, it’s time to begin. 🙂
The full recipe can be found down below in the recipe card, but we’re going to go over a brief overview here.
To start, you’ll make the dough. If you’ve made cinnamon rolls or pecan sweet rolls, then you know the process! If you haven’t, not to worry–it’s easy! You can use a stand mixer or a large bowl and wooden spoon–either will work.
Once your dough is prepped, you’ll let it rise until doubled in size. While it’s rising, you’ll prepare your chocolate cream cheese filling.
First, cream together the vegan butter and cream cheese until fluffy. Then add in the Florida Crystals® Light Brown Raw Cane Sugar, cocoa powder, and vanilla extract. Mix again until everything is combined. Then set aside!
You’ll then toast the pistachios in the oven, and cool them once more We don’t want them to heat the chocolate filling before we roll them!
Next, you’ll roll out the dough to be 12×18” long. Spread your chocolate cream cheese frosting on top, along with a sprinkle of the pistachios. Then the easiest way to roll these is to slice the dough into 12 1.5” strips. Along the 18” side, make a slice every 1.5” to create 12 strips that are 12” long. Then roll each swirl individually.
Place the chocolate sweet rolls into the prepared casserole dish, and bake!
I personally love to add the optional glaze (that includes Florida Crystals® Organic Powdered Raw Cane Sugar!) for extra sweetness to complement the tang and richness of the filling.
Can I make these chocolate pistachio swirls gluten free?
Absolutely! To make these Vegan Chocolate Pistachio Sweet Rolls gluten free, simply swap in my gluten free vegan cinnamon roll dough for the base, and use the chocolate pistachio filling instead!
Want to save this recipe for later? Add it to your favorite recipe board on Pinterest!
If you make this recipe, please be sure to leave a comment and a rating ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ below. This helps others to find the recipes! As always, I absolutely love to see your beautiful creations on Instagram and Pinterest, so be sure to tag me there as well!
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Unbelievably Vegan Chocolate Pistachio Sweet Rolls
- Prep Time: 30
- Rising Time: 60
- Cook Time: 35
- Total Time: 2 hours 5 minutes
- Yield: 12
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegan
Description
These deliciously soft and plush chocolate pistachio swirls are a copycat of the Starbucks® version–and taste just as decadent! With a creamy chocolate cream cheese filling and toasted pistachios, these chocolate sweet rolls are naturally vegan, and dairy-free!
Ingredients
Chocolate Pistachio Swirls Dough:
- 1 tsp olive oil
- 4 ½ cups (540 g) bread flour or all-purpose flour
- ½ cup (100 g) Florida Crystals® Organic Light Brown Raw Cane Sugar
- 1 packet (.25 ounces or 7 g) quick rise yeast
- ⅛ tsp sea salt
- 1 ¼ cup (270 mL) dairy-free milk, heated to warm
- ⅓ cup (87 g) dairy-free yogurt, room temperature
- ¼ cup (57 g) vegan butter, room temperature
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Chocolate Cream Cheese Filling:
- ¼ cup (57 g) vegan butter, room temperature
- 1 cup (226 g) vegan cream cheese, room temperature
- 1 cup (200 g) Florida Crystals® Organic Light Brown Raw Cane Sugar
- ½ cup (50 g) cocoa powder, sifted
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 cup shelled pistachios
Optional Topping:
- 1 cup (150 g) Florida Crystals® Organic Powdered Raw Cane Sugar
- 3 tbsp dairy-free milk
- 1 tsp vanilla extract or paste
Instructions
- Please read through all instructions before beginning. The overnight option and gluten free option are down below in the notes section.
- Prep: Grease a medium-sized bowl with olive oil or coconut oil, and set aside. Make sure the vegan butter for the dough is room temperature.
- Heat the dairy-free milk: In a small saucepan, heat the dairy-free milk until it’s warm. It should not be above 110F.
- Make the dough: In a stand mixer bowl with dough attachment or a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, yeast, and sea salt. Add in the dairy-free yogurt, heated milk, and vanilla extract. Mix on medium speed until combined. Then add in the vegan butter, and mix on high speed (holding the stand mixer in case it moves) for 10 minutes to knead the dough. If making this by hand, lightly flour a clean surface, and knead the dough for 10 minutes.
- First proof: Knead the dough lightly, for 2-4 minutes, until it forms a smooth dough ball that’s not sticky. Then place the dough into the greased medium bowl, cover with a cloth or wrap, and place into a warm area to let rise for 1 hour. It should be double in size. If it’s at least 80 ºF outside, you can place the bowl outside, otherwise you can place it in the oven (which is turned off) and turn on the oven light or start preheating the oven to 350 ºF and place the bowl near or on top of the oven.
- While the dough is rising: Grease a large casserole dish with oil and set aside. Then make the chocolate cream cheese filling. In a large bowl and using a hand mixer, cream together the vegan butter and cream cheese until fluffy. Then add in the brown sugar, cocoa powder, and vanilla extract, mixing until fluffy. Set aside. Toast the pistachios on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper for 5-6 minutes. Then remove and cool.
- Make the chocolate sweet rolls: Lightly flour a clean surface, and roll out the dough to be 12”by 1”. Spread the chocolate cream cheese filling on top, and sprinkle with pistachios. Then use a pizza cutter or large kitchen knife, and along the 18” side, make a slice every 1.5” to create 12 strips that are 12” long. Then roll each swirl individually.
- Bake: Place each sweet roll into the prepared casserole dish, and bake for 30-35 minutes, or until the rolls are lightly golden brown on top. Remove from the oven, and let cool for 10-15 minutes before serving.
- Make the optional glaze: If desired, you can top your chocolate pistachio swirls with a glaze. Whisk together the Florida Crystals® Organic Powdered Sugar, milk, and vanilla extract. Drizzle on top and serve!
Notes
Gluten free option: See my gluten free vegan cinnamon rolls to use the base dough, then use the filling here!
Overnight option: If making a day ahead of time, complete Step 7 through the second rise, then cover the cinnamon rolls and place them in the fridge overnight. When ready to bake, allow the rolls to sit in the oven (not started) with the light on for 20-25 minutes. Then, remove the rolls from the oven, and allow the cinnamon rolls to rest over or by the oven as it preheats.
