When I think of a cozy morning during the Fall and Winter, I picture all the things that bring warmth, memories, joy, and lasting impressions to my loved ones. Holidays are all about family and the food we make to show our love and pass on special and unique traditions. Every bite of these Chai Spiced Cinnamon Rolls will give you a moment of pause to feel all that comfort and warmth you seek during these chilly seasons. These rolls really are the flavors of the holidays delivered right out of your oven. The smell of chai will permeate your entire home, and like my Pear Crumble Muffins, this is yet another reason to ditch the holiday scented candles and bake, bake, bake!
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Chai Love!
I have never met a person that doesn’t have mad passion for cinnamon rolls. I, for one, am a cinnamon roll junkie, hence all of my different versions of Cinnamon Rolls! Ever since I can remember, I would pick a cinnamon roll over any other kind of sweet bun any day, anytime, anyplace. My mother knew that an occasion like a holiday morning meant we were making some sweet, sticky, gooey, soft, and big rolls that were bursting with flavor and smothered in icing. Because who doesn’t love cinnamon rolls?! Cinnamon roll obsession is a real thing and friends, I obviously have it! Most importantly, things are about to get incredible with these Chai Spiced Cinnamon Rolls. These give you every flavor and aroma of a warm and inviting cup of chai amidst every sticky bite of the fluffiest and softest cinnamon rolls you can imagine.
These Chai Spiced Cinnamon Rolls have chai spices throughout! The dough is infused with warm baking spices, the filling is bursting with chai flavor, and the icing boasts sweet cardamom love. These are the best cinnamon rolls I have ever had. Ever! And that’s saying a lot, considering one of my signature dishes is my, Coconut Milk Cinnamon Rolls. I have already eaten an entire side of these sweet and spicy buns, and honey, these will be gone by tonight! Just take a look at Bea and Tilly devouring their second round of Cha Spiced Cinnamon Rolls! Tilly ditched her fork after one bite because a fork just couldn’t deliver the bites fast enough! And Bea, well she just needed to take smaller bites!
The Dough
The dough in these Chai Spiced Cinnamon Rolls uses bread flour for maximum fluff and softness within each bite. Therefore, there are layers of the most tender, sweet and spiced bun. There’s a mixture of holiday baking spices to give you all that Chai taste right in the dough. The brown sugar coats it all to bring out the warmth and depth of that Chai. Tilly had her nose right up to the dough while it kneaded away. She knew something tasty was happening!
To be honest, when I first developed these Chai Spiced Cinnamon Rolls, I wasn’t sure if they would appeal to kids since they are so filled with spice. But both girls loved these, so I can confirm they are definitely kid friendly!
The Filling
The filling of theses Chai Spiced Cinnamon Rolls use a special blend of dark brown sugar, cinnamon, cardamom, cloves, allspice, ginger, and just a touch of black pepper. When making your own Chai tea, black pepper adds a twist of spice and bite to the mixture. Even the shopkins are grinning with joy!
The Icing
The icing for these Chai Spiced Cinnamon Rolls are lightly spiced with Cardamom to further enhance that Chai flavor. The icing is a simple blend of butter, heavy cream, powdered sugar, cardamom, and vanilla extract.
Note that you can use more or less powdered sugar, depending on your preference. We found that 1/3 cup was just right for us. The icing will drizzle on the warm rolls, pooling i the crevices and dripping down the sides. They will add that sticky sweetness that will have you licking your fingers!
When you make these Chai Spiced Cinnamon Rolls, tag me on Instagram @ritzymomblog and use #ritzymom for a chance to be featured on my stories or feed. And for an extra kick of Fall, check out my brand new cookbook, Ritzy Mom Pumpkin Treats & Tonics, that has a pumpkin version of these Chai Spiced Cinnamon Rolls!
Happy Chai Day!
Chai Spiced Cinnamon Rolls Recipe
Chai Spice Cinnamon Rolls
Chai Spice Cinnamon Rolls bring all the flavor and warmth of Chai into a sweet and sticky roll. Filled with the tastes and aromas of cinnamon, cardamom, and cloves, these are the way to start your cozy holiday mornings!
Ingredients
Chai Spice Cinnamon Rolls
- 2 1/4 tsp yeast
- 1 cup warm milk (2 % or whole)
- 6 Tablespoons butter melted
- 1 large egg
- 1 large egg yolk
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon granulated sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3 cups bread flour
- 3/4 teaspoon salt
- 3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cardamom
- 1/8 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1/8 teaspoon ground ginger
Filling
- 2/3 cup dark brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cardamom
- 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1/8 teaspoon ground allspice
- 1/8 teaspoon ground cloves
- pinch (about 2 grinds) freshly ground black pepper optional, but encouraged
- 1/4 cup butter softened
Icing
- 3 tablespoons butter melted
- 2 tablespoons heavy cream
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cardamom
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
For Rolls
-
Use your stand mixer with the dough hook,
Warm your milk and place in the bowl of your stand mixer (to 105-110 degrees).
Sprinkle on yeast and let it proof for about 5 minutes.
In a separate bowl, combine your egg, egg yolk,, and vanilla. Then add it to your milk mixture. Use a wooden spoon to combine.
Add your bread flour, sugars, and spices and salt. Use spoon to make the dough come together. Then move to stand mixer. Set to speed 8 and let it knead for 8-10 minutes.
Then put in a buttered bowl and cover. Let rise for 90 minutes in a draft free area.
Filling
-
In a bowl, mix your brown sugar with the spices.
Gently punch down the dough and move it to a lightly floured surface.
Use a rolling pin to roll it into a rectangle about 11 x 15 in size.
Then use a spatula to spread your softened butter evenly over the dough. Leave about 1/2 inch free around the entire rectangle.
Then sprinkle the sugar and spice mixture over the butter. Use fingers to rub it gently into the dough.
Then roll the dough up and trim a small bit of the uneven ends. Then cut into 9 even chunks.
Line a 9 inch baking dish with parchment paper. Then rolls inside and allow to rise for an additional 30 minutes.
Meanwhile, pre-heat the oven to 350 degrees.
Once the rolls have risen again you will bake them for approx. 25-30 minutes.
Let cool about 15 minutes before icing.
Icing
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While the rolls are cooling, make your Cardamom Spiced Icing.
In a bowl, add your powdered sugar to melted butter. NOTE that you can use 1/3 cup to 1/2 cup of powdered sugar, depending on sweetness desired,
Then add heavy cream.
Lastly add your vanilla and cardamom and mix until smooth and creamy.
Spread over rolls while they are warm. Serve warm and be prepared to see them vanish!
Recipe Notes
For dough, If you use 2 % milk I recommend increasing the melted butter by 2 tablespoons, to make it 1/2 cup of melted butter.
Tools For These Chai Spiced Cinnamon Rolls
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