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Soft cinnamon rolls swirled with brown sugar and chai-inspired spices, topped with vanilla glaze.

Chai Cinnamon Rolls


  • Author: Emma Hart
  • Total Time: 145
  • Yield: 12 rolls 1x
  • Diet: Vegetarian

Description

Soft, fluffy pastries filled with chai-spiced butter and topped with creamy chai glaze. Warm cardamom, cinnamon, cloves, and brown sugar mingle in every bite with a rich cream pour giving a gooey texture perfect for festive brunches or chilly mornings.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 cup warm milk (115°F)
  • 2½ tsp instant dry yeast
  • 2 large eggs, room temperature
  • ½ cup salted butter, softened
  • 1 tsp chai spice mix
  • ½ cup granulated sugar
  • 4 cups bread flour (plus up to ½ cup if needed)
  • 1 tsp salt
  • ¾ cup salted butter, melted (for filling)
  • 1½ cups packed brown sugar (for filling)
  • 3 tbsp chai spice mix (for filling)
  • ½ cup heavy cream (for baking)
  • 2 cups powdered sugar (for glaze)
  • ½ tsp vanilla extract (for glaze)
  • 34 tbsp strong brewed chai tea (for glaze)

Instructions

  1. Mix warm milk and yeast; let foam 5 minutes. Add eggs, softened butter, sugar, chai spice, and salt. Gradually add flour while mixing until dough is soft and tacky. Knead 6–8 minutes until smooth.
  2. Transfer to a greased bowl, cover, and let rise 1 hour until doubled.
  3. Mix melted butter, brown sugar, and chai spice for filling.
  4. Roll dough into a 12×18-inch rectangle. Spread filling evenly over dough.
  5. Roll up tightly from the long edge; cut into 12 pieces. Place in greased 9×13-inch pan.
  6. Let rise 30–45 minutes until puffy.
  7. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Pour heavy cream evenly over rolls; bake 25–30 minutes until golden.
  8. Whisk powdered sugar, vanilla, and chai tea for glaze. Drizzle over warm rolls before serving.

Notes

Use milk at 115°F to activate yeast without killing it.

Bread flour ensures fluffy rolls.

The cream pour before baking produces gooey centers.

Avoid overproofing; rolls should be puffy but not deflated before baking.

Refrigerate shaped rolls overnight for convenient morning baking.

  • Prep Time: 25
  • Cook Time: 30
  • Category: Breakfast, Dessert
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American-Inspired

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 roll
  • Calories: 405
  • Sugar: 36g
  • Sodium: 280mg
  • Fat: 17g
  • Saturated Fat: 10g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 6g
  • Carbohydrates: 58g
  • Fiber: 2g
  • Protein: 7g
  • Cholesterol: 80mg

Keywords: chai cinnamon rolls, spiced breakfast rolls, holiday brunch recipe, gooey cinnamon rolls, cream poured cinnamon rolls