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Chai Cinnamon Rolls Recipe

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4.3 from 7 reviews

These Chai Cinnamon Rolls are a delightful twist on classic cinnamon rolls, infused with a warming blend of chai spices including cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, cardamom, and cloves. Soft, fluffy, and packed with aromatic flavors, these rolls are topped with a luscious chai-spiced cream cheese frosting for an indulgent treat perfect for breakfast or brunch.

  • Author: Emma
  • Prep Time: 30 minutes
  • Cook Time: 25 minutes
  • Total Time: 2 hours
  • Yield: 12 servings
  • Category: Breakfast
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American
  • Diet: Vegetarian

Ingredients

Dough

  • 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
  • 1 tablespoon ground ginger
  • 2 teaspoons ground nutmeg
  • 1 teaspoon ground cardamom
  • 1 teaspoon ground cloves
  • 1 teaspoon ground allspice
  • 2 cups 2% or whole milk
  • ½ cup avocado oil
  • ½ cup granulated sugar
  • 1 packet dry active yeast (2¼ teaspoons)
  • 4½ cups all-purpose flour, divided
  • 1½ teaspoons kosher salt
  • ½ teaspoon baking soda
  • ½ teaspoon baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon chai spice mix
  • Additional flour, for rolling out dough

Filling

  • 1 stick unsalted butter, melted
  • ½ cup granulated sugar
  • ½ cup light brown sugar
  • 2 tablespoons chai spice mix

Frosting

  • 4 oz cream cheese, softened
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
  • 3–4 cups powdered sugar
  • 1 tablespoon heavy cream (or milk)
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 teaspoon chai spice mix

Instructions

  1. Heat the Milk Mixture: Heat the milk, avocado oil, and granulated sugar together in a saucepan over medium heat, stirring until the sugar dissolves completely.
  2. Cool the Mixture: Pour the milk mixture into the bowl of a stand mixer and allow it to cool to about 100-110°F, suitable for yeast activation.
  3. Activate Yeast: Sprinkle the dry active yeast over the milk mixture and let it sit for about 5 minutes until it becomes foamy, indicating the yeast is active.
  4. Mix Dough: Add 4 cups of flour to the yeast mixture and mix with a dough hook attachment or by hand until combined.
  5. First Rise: Cover the bowl and set it in a warm place for 1 hour to allow the dough to double in size.
  6. Prepare Filling: While the dough rises, melt the butter and combine with granulated sugar, light brown sugar, and chai spice mix until well blended.
  7. Complete Dough: After the first rise, add the remaining ½ cup flour, kosher salt, baking soda, baking powder, and 1 teaspoon chai spice mix to the dough and mix well.
  8. Roll out Dough: Flour your surface, then roll the dough out to about ¼-inch thickness into a large rectangle shape suitable for filling.
  9. Spread Filling: Evenly spread the prepared filling mixture over the rolled-out dough.
  10. Shape Rolls: Starting from the long edge, gently roll the dough into a log shape.
  11. Slice Rolls: Cut the log into 12 even pieces and place them cut side up in a buttered 9 x 13-inch baking dish.
  12. Second Rise: Cover the baking dish with a towel and let the rolls rise for 20 minutes while preheating the oven to 375°F.
  13. Bake Rolls: Bake the rolls for 20-25 minutes or until they are puffed, golden, and bubbly in the centers.
  14. Make Frosting: While baking, beat together softened cream cheese and butter in a stand mixer bowl until smooth.
  15. Add Sugar and Flavorings: Gradually add powdered sugar, beating well after each addition, then add heavy cream, vanilla extract, salt, and chai spice mix; beat to combine. Adjust consistency with more powdered sugar if needed.
  16. Frost Rolls: Spread the chai-spiced cream cheese frosting over the warm cinnamon rolls and optionally dust with additional chai spice for garnish.

Notes

  • Ensure the milk mixture is not too hot when adding yeast to avoid killing the yeast; 100-110°F is ideal.
  • Use additional flour while rolling to prevent sticking but avoid adding too much to keep rolls soft.
  • For a less sweet frosting, use half the frosting amount and add more as desired.
  • Chai spice mix can be made by combining cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, cardamom, cloves, and allspice if not store-bought.
  • Store leftovers in an airtight container and reheat gently before serving.

Find it online: https://allcookedup.com/chai-cinnamon-rolls-recipe/