Chai Cinnamon Rolls

This sticky chai cinnamon roll recipe transforms breakfast into a luxurious experience with its intoxicating blend of warm spices and decadent layers. The combination of fluffy dough, spiced filling, caramel sauce, and cream cheese frosting creates something truly special that will fill your kitchen with an irresistible aroma.

I first made these rolls during a cold autumn morning when I wanted something special to surprise my family. The moment they smelled the chai spices wafting through the house, everyone gathered in the kitchen before the rolls even came out of the oven.

Ingredients

• Whole milk: Provides richness and activates the yeast for the fluffiest texture
• Active dry yeast: Creates that perfect pillowy rise in the dough
• All purpose flour: Forms the foundation of our soft dough
• Chai spice blend: Including cinnamon, cardamom, ginger, nutmeg, cloves, and allspice creates the signature flavor profile
• Brown sugar: Adds depth with its molasses notes compared to regular sugar
• Heavy cream: Creates incredible richness in both the caramel base and between roll layers
• Chai tea bags: Infuse authentic tea flavor into the caramel sauce
• Honey: Brings complex sweetness and helps achieve that sticky caramel texture
• Cream cheese: Provides tanginess that balances the sweetness in the frosting

Step-by-Step Instructions

Bloom The Yeast:

Warm your milk to approximately 110°F, which feels warm but not hot to the touch. Add yeast and a teaspoon of sugar, then let it sit for 10 minutes until foamy. This step ensures your yeast is alive and active before proceeding with the recipe.

Prepare The Dough:

Mix your dry ingredients thoroughly to distribute the chai spices evenly throughout the dough. Add the eggs, vanilla, and softened butter to create a rich base. Incorporate the bloomed yeast mixture and switch to a dough hook. Knead for a full 7-10 minutes until the dough forms a ball that springs back when pressed. This extended kneading develops the gluten structure for perfectly soft rolls.

First Proof:

Shape the dough into a smooth ball and place in a greased bowl. Cover with plastic wrap and let rise in a warm environment for 1-1½ hours. During this time, the dough should visibly double in size, becoming airy and light.

Create Chai Caramel Base:

Steep chai tea bags in warm heavy cream to extract maximum flavor. Mix this infused cream with softened butter, brown sugar, spices, honey and vanilla to create a luscious caramel base. Spread this mixture evenly across your baking dish, creating the foundation for your rolls.

Make Chai Filling:

Combine softened butter with brown sugar and the full chai spice blend. The mixture should be spreadable but not melted. This filling will create those beautiful swirls of spice throughout each roll.

Roll And Shape The Dough:

After punching down the risen dough, roll it into a large 18×12 inch rectangle on a lightly floured surface. Spread the chai filling evenly across the entire surface, getting close to the edges. Roll the dough tightly from the long edge to create a uniform log. Cut into 12 even pieces using unflavored dental floss for the cleanest cuts.

Second Proof:

Arrange the cut rolls in your prepared pan with the caramel base. Pour room temperature heavy cream between the rolls, which creates additional moisture and richness. Cover with greased plastic wrap and let proof for another hour until visibly puffed.

Bake To Golden Perfection:

Bake in a preheated 350°F oven for about 30 minutes until golden brown on top. The internal temperature should reach about 190°F if you want to check with a thermometer.

Frost And Serve:

After cooling for 10 minutes, spread the chai cream cheese frosting generously over the still warm rolls. The warmth allows the frosting to melt slightly into all the crevices.

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I always double the cream cheese frosting because my family loves to add extra to their individual servings. The first time I made these rolls, my daughter declared them better than anything from a bakery, which remains my favorite compliment about this recipe.

Make-Ahead Instructions

These cinnamon rolls can easily be prepared in advance. After placing the rolls in the pan with the caramel sauce, cover tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight. The next morning, remove from the refrigerator and allow to sit at room temperature for 45 minutes before baking. This slow rise actually develops even more flavor in the dough and makes this perfect for holiday mornings.

Spice Customization

Feel free to adjust the chai spice blend to your personal preference. If cardamom is too intense for your taste, reduce or omit it. Love more ginger heat? Double the amount. The beauty of this recipe is how adaptable it is while maintaining its core flavor profile. Consider adding a pinch of black pepper for authentic chai heat or star anise for additional complexity.

Storage Guidelines

These rolls are best enjoyed fresh and warm, but leftovers can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. For longer storage, refrigerate for up to 5 days. To reheat, microwave individual rolls for 20-30 seconds or warm the entire pan in a 300°F oven for 10 minutes. The caramel base will soften again beautifully when reheated.

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Serving Suggestions

These chai cinnamon rolls make a stunning centerpiece for brunch gatherings. Serve alongside fresh fruit to balance the richness, or pair with a savory egg dish for a complete meal. For a truly decadent experience, offer extra caramel sauce on the side for drizzling. A cup of strong coffee or black tea provides the perfect bitter counterpoint to the sweet rolls.

Frequently Asked Questions

→ How do I ensure my dough becomes soft and fluffy?

Proof the dough in a warm spot until it doubles in size and ensure precise ingredient measurements, especially the flour, using a kitchen scale.

→ What’s the secret to the sticky caramel bottom?

The caramel sauce is made by steeping chai in cream, mixing it with butter, sugar, and spices, and spreading it at the dish's base before adding the rolls.

→ How can I cut the rolls cleanly without squishing them?

Use unflavored dental floss or kitchen twine for clean cuts, as it helps keep the shape intact without flattening the rolls.

→ How do I make the chai filling rich and flavorful?

Mix softened butter with a blend of chai spices, brown sugar, and a touch of salt for a perfectly spiced, sweet filling.

→ What type of tea should I use for chai flavor?

Use strong chai tea bags or loose-leaf chai to steep in cream for creating an aromatic base for the caramel sauce.