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Chai Cinnamon Rolls

Chai Cinnamon Rolls

Delicious chai cinnamon rolls infused with warm spices, featuring soft dough, a spiced filling, and cream cheese frosting.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 32 minutes
Resting Time 1 hour 30 minutes
Total Time 2 hours 22 minutes
Course Dessert
Cuisine American, Indian
Servings 6 cinnamon rolls
Calories 515 kcal

Equipment

  • baking dish
  • glass measuring cup
  • stand mixer
  • rolling pin
  • sharp serrated knife

Ingredients
  

DOUGH

  • ½ cup milk any
  • 1 bag chai tea bag
  • 1 and ⅛ teaspoons dry active yeast or half of one packet
  • 2 and ½ Tablespoons granulated sugar
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • ¼ teaspoon ground ginger
  • ¼ teaspoon ground cardamom
  • ⅛ teaspoon ground cloves
  • 1 large egg
  • 2 and ¼ to 2 and ½ cups all purpose flour be sure to measure properly
  • 3 Tablespoons unsalted butter softened to room temperature and cut into 4-6 pieces

FILLING

  • ¼ cup granulated sugar
  • ¼ cup light brown sugar firmly packed
  • 1 Tablespoon ground cinnamon
  • 1 teaspoon ground ginger
  • ½ teaspoon ground cardamom
  • ¼ teaspoon ground cloves
  • 2 Tablespoons unsalted butter melted

CHAI CREAM CHEESE FROSTING

  • 2 ounces full fat block cream cheese softened to room temperature
  • 2 Tablespoons unsalted butter softened to room temperature
  • ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • ¼ teaspoon ground ginger
  • ¼ teaspoon ground cardamom
  • ⅙ teaspoon ground cloves
  • ¾ cups powdered sugar
  • pinch salt

Instructions
 

DOUGH

  • Spray a baking dish with non-stick spray. Set aside.
  • In a glass measuring cup, heat the milk until steaming, then steep the chai bag for at least 10 minutes. Remove the tea bag.
  • Pour the chai infused milk into a large bowl or the bowl of a stand mixer, then sprinkle the yeast on top. Whisk and allow to rest for 10 minutes.
  • Add the sugar, salt, cinnamon, ginger, cardamom, cloves, and egg. Whisk to combine.
  • Gradually stir in flour. If using a stand mixer, use the dough hook. Add 1 cup of flour, then the softened butter, blending until incorporated. Add remaining flour and blend until dough has mostly come together.
  • Turn out dough on a floured surface and knead for about 8-10 minutes until smooth and elastic. Allow the dough to rest for 10 minutes.

FILLING

  • In a medium bowl, combine the granulated sugar, brown sugar, cinnamon, ginger, cardamom, and cloves. Whisk until well-blended.
  • Roll the dough out into a rectangle approximately 9" x 12". Brush the melted butter evenly over the dough. Sprinkle the cinnamon-sugar over the butter.

ASSEMBLE AND BAKE

  • Starting with one of the long sides, roll the dough into a tight 12" log. Cut the log into 6 even slices.
  • Place slices cut side down in the prepared pan. Allow rolls to rise for 1 and ½ hours.
  • Preheat the oven to 350ºF (177ºC). Bake the rolls for 28-32 minutes or until just brown on top. Allow to cool for 15 minutes.

CHAI CREAM CHEESE FROSTING

  • Beat the butter, cream cheese, cinnamon, ginger, cardamom, and cloves until smooth. Turn mixer to low and add powdered sugar and salt. Mix until smooth.
  • Spread cream cheese frosting onto slightly cooled rolls and serve immediately.

Notes

Chai bag is ideal, but you can double the spices in the dough if needed. Baked rolls freeze well for up to 3 months. Cover with plastic wrap and allow to rest in the refrigerator overnight for make-ahead preparation.

Nutrition

Serving: 1rollCalories: 515kcalCarbohydrates: 86gProtein: 8gFat: 16gSaturated Fat: 10gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 4gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 68mgSodium: 302mgPotassium: 143mgFiber: 3gSugar: 48gVitamin A: 479IUVitamin C: 0.1mgCalcium: 83mgIron: 3mg
Keyword baking, Breakfast, Chai Cinnamon Rolls, chai spice, cinnamon rolls, Desserts
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