Description
These Chai Cinnamon Rolls are a delightful twist on classic cinnamon rolls, infused with aromatic chai spices like cardamom, ginger, and cloves. Soft, fluffy, and perfectly sweet with a creamy chai-flavored cream cheese frosting, these rolls make a cozy treat perfect for breakfast or dessert.
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 (from 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 all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, active dry yeast, and salt until well combined.
- Add Wet Ingredients: Pour in the warm milk, melted butter, and room temperature eggs. Mix until a soft dough forms.
- Knead the Dough: Knead the dough on a lightly floured surface for 8-10 minutes until it becomes smooth and elastic.
- First Rise: Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover it with a clean towel or plastic wrap, and let it rise in a warm place for 1 hour until it doubles in size.
- Prepare the Chai Spice Mix: In a small bowl, combine ground cinnamon, cardamom, ginger, allspice, cloves, and nutmeg to make the chai spice blend.
- Make the Filling: Mix the softened butter, packed light brown sugar, and the prepared chai spice mix until well combined to create the filling.
- Roll Out the Dough: On a floured surface, roll the dough into a 16×12 inch (40×30 cm) rectangle.
- Spread Filling: Evenly spread the chai-spiced filling over the rolled out dough.
- Form Rolls: Tightly roll the dough into a log and cut it into 12 equal pieces.
- Arrange in Pan: Place the rolls in a greased 9×13 inch (23×33 cm) baking dish, arranging them evenly.
- Second Rise: Cover the rolls and let them rise for 30 minutes until puffy.
- Preheat Oven: Set your oven to 350°F (175°C) to preheat while the rolls finish rising.
- Bake: Bake the cinnamon rolls for 25-30 minutes, or until they turn golden brown on top.
- Cool Slightly: Remove the rolls from the oven and let them cool slightly before frosting to prevent the frosting from melting too much.
- Prepare the Chai Cream Cheese Frosting: Beat the softened cream cheese and butter until smooth, then gradually add powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and the spices (cinnamon, cardamom, ginger, allspice, cloves, nutmeg). Beat until fluffy.
- Frost and Serve: Spread the chai cream cheese frosting generously over the warm cinnamon rolls. Serve immediately and enjoy!
Notes
- Ensure the milk is warm but not hot to properly activate the yeast without killing it.
- For best texture, knead the dough thoroughly for the full 8-10 minutes.
- Use room temperature eggs and butter for easier mixing and better dough consistency.
- If you prefer a spicier roll, slightly increase the quantity of chai spices in the filling and frosting.
- Store any leftover rolls in an airtight container in the refrigerator and reheat before serving.
- The rolls can also be frozen after baking and thawed overnight at room temperature or in the fridge before reheating.
