Sweet Chai-Spiced Cinnamon Rolls Recipe: A Cozy Morning Delight

Warm, gooey cinnamon rolls infused with aromatic chai spices create a breakfast dream that will make your morning extraordinary.

The chai cinnamon rolls recipe blends classic comfort with exotic flavor profiles that dance across your palate.

Fragrant cardamom, rich ginger, and sweet cinnamon mingle in a soft, pillowy dough that promises pure indulgence.

Each swirl promises a delectable journey through spicy-sweet layers of deliciousness.

These rolls offer a cozy embrace of comfort that transforms an ordinary morning into something magical.

Bakers of all skill levels can easily master this delightful treat.

Let these irresistible chai-spiced rolls become your new weekend breakfast sensation.

Chai Cinnamon Rolls Warm Spices and Sweetness

• Chai spices transform classic cinnamon rolls into an exotic, aromatic treat that surprises and delights taste buds with every bite.
• These rolls look professionally made but are surprisingly achievable for home bakers, making you feel like a pastry chef without complex techniques.
• Perfect showstopper for gatherings, these rolls bring warmth and excitement to breakfast or brunch, guaranteed to impress family and friends.
• Beyond ordinary rolls, this recipe adds sophistication through chai-inspired caramel and spice blend, turning a classic comfort food into a gourmet experience.

Chai Cinnamon Roll Ingredient Essentials

• All-Purpose Flour: The foundation of the soft and fluffy cinnamon rolls.
• Active Dry Yeast: Essential for helping the dough rise and creating a light texture.
• Granulated Sugar: Provides sweetness and helps activate the yeast.
• Milk: Adds moisture and helps create a tender dough.
• Eggs: Contribute to the rich texture and help bind the ingredients.
• Salt: Enhances the overall flavor of the dough.
• Butter: Adds richness and helps create a soft, tender crumb.

• Brown Sugar: Creates a sweet and caramel-like base for the filling.
• Ground Cinnamon: Provides the classic warm and spicy flavor of cinnamon rolls.
• Butter: Helps bind the filling and adds richness.
• Chai Spices: Adds a complex and aromatic twist to the traditional cinnamon roll.

• Heavy Cream: Creates a luscious and creamy caramel base.
• Honey: Adds natural sweetness and helps create a sticky caramel sauce.
• Butter: Contributes to the richness of the caramel.
• Chai Spices: Infuses the caramel with a warm and complex flavor profile.

Tools for Rolling and Baking Cinnamon Rolls

• Stand Mixer or Hand Mixer: Perfect for kneading dough smoothly and efficiently.
• Large Mixing Bowl: Essential for combining ingredients and rising dough.
• Rolling Pin: Helps roll out dough evenly for perfect cinnamon rolls.
• 9×13 Inch Baking Pan: Ideal for baking and presenting chai cinnamon rolls.
• Measuring Cups and Spoons: Crucial for accurate ingredient measurements.
• Sharp Knife or Bench Scraper: Great for cutting dough into even rolls.
• Kitchen Towel: Used to cover dough during rising periods.
• Wooden Spoon or Spatula: Helpful for mixing and stirring ingredients.

Chai Cinnamon Roll Instructions

Step 1: Activate Yeast

Combine warm milk, active dry yeast, and granulated sugar in a medium bowl.

Whisk gently until the mixture becomes frothy and develops a light foam on top.

This process takes about 10 minutes and signals that your yeast is alive and ready to help your dough rise.

Step 2: Create Soft Dough

• All-purpose flour
• Salt
• Ground cardamom

Pour in the activated yeast mixture and softened butter.

Knead the ingredients using a stand mixer or your hands until the dough becomes smooth, elastic, and slightly tacky.

The texture should be soft but not sticky.

Step 3: First Proofing

Transfer the dough to a lightly oiled bowl.

Cover with a clean kitchen towel and let it rest in a warm, draft-free area.

Allow the dough to rise until it doubles in size, typically 1-1.5 hours.

Step 4: Prepare Chai Caramel

Infuse heavy cream with chai tea bags.

• Unsalted butter
• Brown sugar
• Ground cinnamon
• Ground ginger
• Honey

Simmer until the mixture becomes smooth and slightly thickened.

Step 5: Create Filling

• Softened butter
• Brown sugar
• Ground cinnamon
• Ground nutmeg

Blend until the ingredients are well combined and create a spreadable consistency.

Step 6: Roll and Assemble

Roll out the risen dough into a large rectangle.

Spread the prepared filling evenly across the surface.

Carefully roll the dough into a tight log, then slice into 12 equal pieces.

Step 7: Second Proofing

Place the rolls in a buttered baking pan.

Pour the prepared chai caramel between and around the rolls.

Cover and let rise for another hour until puffy.

Step 8: Bake to Golden Perfection

Preheat the oven to 350°F.

Bake the rolls for 29-32 minutes until they turn a beautiful golden brown color and the caramel is bubbling around the edges.

Tips for Soft, Spiced Cinnamon Rolls

• Use fresh, unexpired yeast and ensure milk is warm (not hot) to activate without killing the yeast.
• Adjust chai spice blend to personal taste, adding extra cardamom or ginger for more intense flavor.
• Cover rising dough with damp cloth to prevent surface from drying and maintain moisture for tender rolls.
• Prepare rolls night before, refrigerate overnight, then let come to room temperature before final rise and baking.
• Substitute all-purpose flour with gluten-free blend and add xanthan gum for better texture and rise.

Cinnamon Roll Filling and Icing Ideas

• Gluten-Free Chai Rolls: Replace wheat flour with almond or rice flour, use gluten-free yeast, and add xanthan gum for binding.
• Vegan Chai Delight: Swap milk with coconut milk, use plant-based butter, replace eggs with flax eggs, and coconut cream for caramel.
• Low-Sugar Option: Substitute sugar with monk fruit sweetener, use sugar-free caramel alternative, and reduce overall sugar content while maintaining flavor profile.
• Dairy-Free Version: Use almond milk instead of regular milk, coconut cream for caramel, and plant-based butter for filling and topping.

Serving Chai Cinnamon Rolls for Breakfast

• Cozy Breakfast Companion: Pair these warm chai cinnamon rolls with a steaming mug of masala chai or coffee for a delightful morning treat.
• Festive Dessert Platter: Serve alongside other spiced desserts like cardamom cookies or ginger cake for a stunning holiday spread that celebrates warming flavors.
• Afternoon Tea Delight: Arrange rolls on a beautiful ceramic plate with a dollop of whipped cream or vanilla glaze, perfect for sharing with friends during leisurely tea time.
• Brunch Centerpiece: Create an impressive brunch display by placing rolls on a rustic wooden board, garnished with fresh mint leaves and a light dusting of powdered sugar.

Storing Chai Cinnamon Rolls Soft

• Store leftover rolls in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days. Cover with plastic wrap to prevent drying out.
• Wrap individually in plastic wrap, then place in freezer bag. Freeze for 2-3 months. Label with date for easy tracking.
• Warm at 300°F for 10-15 minutes, wrapped in foil to retain moisture. Unwrap last 3 minutes for crispy edges.
• Heat individual rolls for 15-20 seconds. Add a small cup of water to prevent drying. Check temperature before serving.

FAQs

• What are the key spices in chai cinnamon rolls?

The key spices include cardamom, cinnamon, ginger, and cloves, which give these rolls a warm, aromatic flavor profile typical of traditional chai tea.

• Can I make the dough ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare the dough the night before and refrigerate it overnight for the first rise, which allows for more developed flavors and convenient morning baking.

• How do I know if my yeast is activated correctly?

When blooming yeast, look for a foamy, bubbly surface after 10 minutes. If the mixture doesn’t foam, your yeast might be old or the liquid was too hot or cold, and you’ll need to start over.

Chai Cinnamon Rolls Recipe

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• Total Time: 2 hours 30 minutes
• Yield: 12 1x

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Description

Indulgent chai cinnamon rolls blend warm spices from India with classic American pastry. Homemade dough swirls with aromatic cinnamon, cardamom, and ginger, offering you a comforting breakfast treat that delights the senses.

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Ingredients

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Chai Ingredients:

• 2 chai tea bags
• 1 1/4 cups (300ml) warm whole milk
• 1/2 cup softened unsalted butter
• 2 eggs, whisked
• 1/3 cup heavy cream

Dry Ingredients:

• 4 3/4 cups (593g) all-purpose flour
• 2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast
• 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
• 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 3/4 teaspoon ground ginger
• Ground spices (allspice, nutmeg, cardamom, cloves)

Sweet and Frosting Ingredients:

• 1 teaspoon white sugar (for yeast)
• 2 tablespoons white sugar (for dough)
• 2 cups light brown sugar
• 1/3 cup honey
• 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
• 6 ounces cream cheese
• 3/4 cup powdered sugar

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Instructions

1. Activate yeast by whisking warm milk, yeast, and sugar together in a bowl. Allow mixture to foam and become frothy for approximately 10 minutes.
2. Combine flour, salt, and dry ingredients in a large mixing bowl. Incorporate bloomed yeast mixture and egg, kneading thoroughly until dough becomes smooth and elastic, about 8-10 minutes.
3. Transfer dough to a greased container, cover with plastic wrap, and let rise in a warm environment until volume doubles, roughly 1-1.5 hours.
4. Prepare caramel sauce by gently steeping cream with chai tea leaves. Strain and blend with melted butter, brown sugar, ground cardamom, cinnamon, and honey until silky and well-incorporated.
5. Create filling by whisking softened butter with brown sugar, ground cinnamon, and chai spice blend until uniformly mixed.
6. Roll out risen dough into a rectangular shape, spreading filling evenly across surface. Carefully roll dough into a tight log, then slice into 12 equal portions.
7. Arrange rolls in a prepared baking pan, drizzling caramel sauce between pieces. Cover and allow second rise for approximately 45-60 minutes.
8. Preheat oven to 350°F. Bake rolls for 25-30 minutes until golden brown and center is fully cooked. Let cool slightly before serving.

Notes

• Swap milk with plant-based alternatives like almond or oat milk for dairy-free version, ensuring similar warm temperature for yeast activation.
• Experiment with different chai spice blends to customize flavor profile, balancing cardamom, cinnamon, ginger, and black pepper ratios.
• Cold-proof dough overnight in refrigerator for deeper flavor development and more convenient morning baking schedule.
• Use room temperature ingredients to help dough rise consistently and achieve softer, more tender roll texture.

• Prep Time: 2 hours
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Breakfast, Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Indian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 12
• Calories: 392
• Sugar: 28 g
• Sodium: 296 mg
• Fat: 15 g
• Saturated Fat: 9 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 56 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 6 g
• Cholesterol: 62 mg