Chai Cinnamon Rolls

Chai Cinnamon Rolls

240 min
12 servings

These gooey chai cinnamon rolls are soft and fluffy, filled with delicious brown sugar chai filling, frosted with chai cream cheese frosting, all while drenched in a truly decadent and sticky brown sugar chai caramel sauce on the bottom. An absolutely incredible, indulgent treat to bake this fall!

Ingredients

  • 1 1/4 cups (300 ml) whole milk, warmed to about 110 degrees F
  • 2 1/4 tsp active dry yeast
  • 1 tsp granulated white sugar (to bloom the yeast)
  • 4 3/4 cups (593 g) all-purpose flour, spooned and leveled
  • 1 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
  • 3/4 tsp ground ginger
  • 1/4 tsp ground allspice
  • 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
  • 1/2 tsp ground cardamom
  • 1/8 tsp ground cloves
  • 1 1/2 tsp salt
  • 2 tbsp (25 g) granulated white sugar
  • 2 eggs, whisked
  • 1 tbsp vanilla extract
  • 1/2 cup (112 g) unsalted butter, very softened
  • 1/3 cup (80 ml) heavy cream
  • 2 chai tea bags
  • 1/2 cup (112 g) unsalted butter, very softened
  • 1 cup (220 g) light brown sugar, packed
  • 1 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
  • 3/4 tsp ground ginger
  • 1/4 tsp ground allspice
  • 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
  • 3/4 tsp ground cardamom
  • 1/8 tsp ground cloves
  • 1/3 cup (116 g) honey
  • 1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 1/2 cup (112 g) unsalted butter, very softened
  • 1 cup (220 g) light brown sugar, packed
  • 1 tbsp ground cinnamon
  • 1 1/2 tsp ground ginger
  • 1/2 tsp ground allspice
  • 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
  • 1 tsp ground cardamom
  • 1/4 tsp ground cloves
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 1/4 cup (60 ml) heavy cream (for pouring in between the rolls)
  • 6 tbsp (84 g) unsalted butter, very softened
  • 6 oz (170 g) cream cheese, softened
  • 3/4 cup (97 g) powdered sugar
  • 1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 tsp ground ginger
  • 1/8 tsp ground allspice
  • 1/8 tsp ground nutmeg
  • 1/4 tsp ground cardamom
  • pinch of cloves

Directions

  1. 1

    To start, bloom your yeast. Mix your active dry yeast, sugar, and warm milk together and let sit for 10 minutes until foamy on top.

  2. 2

    While the dough rises make the sticky chai caramel sauce for the bottom of the rolls. Add the heavy cream to a very small sauce pan and heat over low heat until steaming, then add in the teabags. Allow them to steep for 10 minutes, then remove from the heat, remove the teabags and let cool to room temperature.

  3. 3

    While the dough rises, also make the filling by mixing the butter, brown sugar, chai spices and salt together in a small bowl.

  4. 4

    Once the dough has had a chance to rise, remove from bowl, punch dough to release the air, and roll out on a lightly floured surface. Roll the dough into about an 18 x 12 inch rectangle. It should be about 1/4 inch thick.

  5. 5

    While they bake, make the cream cheese frosting by adding the softened butter and cream cheese to a medium bowl and mixing it on medium-high speed with an electric mixer until combined and fluffy.