Description
These Chai Cinnamon Rolls combine the warmth of traditional cinnamon rolls with the exotic spices of chai, creating a fragrant and flavorful treat perfect for breakfast or dessert. Soft, fluffy dough is layered with a spiced chai butter filling, baked to golden perfection, and topped with a luscious chai cream cheese frosting that enhances the aromatic spices.
Ingredients
Scale
Dough
- 4 cups (500g) all-purpose flour
- ½ cup (100g) granulated sugar
- 2¼ teaspoons (1 packet) active dry yeast
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup (240ml) warm milk (110°F/43°C)
- ½ cup (113g) unsalted butter, melted
- 2 large eggs, at room temperature
Chai Spice Mix
- 1½ teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon ground cardamom
- ½ teaspoon ground ginger
- ½ teaspoon ground allspice
- ½ teaspoon ground cloves
- ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
Filling
- ½ cup (113g) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup (200g) packed light brown sugar
- Chai spice mix (prepared above)
Chai Cream Cheese Frosting
- 8 oz (226g) cream cheese, softened
- ½ cup (113g) unsalted butter, softened
- 2 cups (240g) powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon ground cardamom
- ¼ teaspoon ground ginger
- ¼ teaspoon ground allspice
- ¼ teaspoon ground cloves
- ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
Instructions
- Prepare the Dough: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, yeast, and salt until well combined. Add the warm milk, melted butter, and eggs. Mix everything together until a soft dough forms.
- Knead the Dough: Transfer the dough to a floured surface and knead for 8-10 minutes until the dough is smooth and elastic, which helps develop the gluten for a tender crumb.
- First Rise: Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover it with a clean kitchen towel or plastic wrap, and let it rise in a warm place for about 1 hour or until it has doubled in size.
- Prepare the Chai Spice Mix: In a small bowl, combine the ground cinnamon, cardamom, ginger, allspice, cloves, and nutmeg to create the chai spice blend used in the filling and frosting.
- Prepare the Filling: In another bowl, mix the softened butter with the light brown sugar and prepared chai spice mix until the mixture is smooth and evenly combined.
- Shape the Rolls: On a floured surface, roll out the risen dough into a 16×12 inch (40×30 cm) rectangle. Spread the chai-spiced filling evenly over the dough rectangle.
- Roll and Cut: Tightly roll the dough into a log shape starting from one long edge. Using a sharp knife or dental floss, cut the log into 12 equal-sized rolls.
- Second Rise: Arrange the rolls evenly in a greased 9×13 inch (23×33 cm) baking dish. Cover and let them rise for 30 minutes until slightly puffy.
- Bake the Rolls: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake the rolls for 25-30 minutes or until they are golden brown on the top and cooked through.
- Cool Slightly: Remove the rolls from the oven and let them cool slightly in the pan while you prepare the frosting.
- Prepare the Chai Cream Cheese Frosting: Beat the softened cream cheese and butter together until smooth. Gradually add the powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and remaining chai spices and beat until the frosting is light and fluffy.
- Frost and Serve: Spread the chai cream cheese frosting generously over the warm cinnamon rolls. Serve immediately and enjoy the spicy, sweet flavors.
Notes
- Allow the dough to rise in a warm, draft-free spot for best results.
- For a stronger chai flavor, you can increase the spices slightly in both the filling and frosting.
- If you don’t have all the chai spices, you can substitute with equal amounts of cinnamon and cardamom as a simpler version.
- These rolls can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days or refrigerated for up to a week.
- Reheat rolls gently in a microwave or oven for a few seconds before serving to refresh their softness.
