If you’re searching for a show-stopping breakfast treat that bursts with warm spices and creamy sweetness, let me introduce you to the Chai Cinnamon Rolls with Spiced Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe. This delightful twist on the classic cinnamon roll infuses fragrant chai spices directly into the dough, filling, and frosting, creating layers of cozy flavor that make every bite a comforting hug for your taste buds. Perfect for leisurely weekend mornings or special occasions, these rolls combine a tender, pillowy texture with a luscious chai caramel sauce and a frosting that’s gloriously spiced, delivering a one-of-a-kind experience worth savoring.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This recipe calls for simple, everyday ingredients that come together to build extraordinary flavor and texture. Each component adds a unique touch — from the warm spice blend that defines the chai essence to the creamy butter and sugar that ensure softness and sweetness throughout.
- Whole milk, warmed: Activates the yeast and adds richness to the dough for a tender crumb.
- Active dry yeast: Essential for a fluffy, risen dough with perfect texture.
- Granulated white sugar: Feeds the yeast to help it bloom and sweetens the dough slightly.
- All-purpose flour: The structural base, spooned and leveled for accuracy to create a smooth dough.
- Ground spices (cinnamon, ginger, allspice, nutmeg, cardamom, cloves): The signature chai blend that infuses every layer with warmth and depth.
- Salt: Balances flavors and enhances the sweetness and spice notes.
- Eggs: Provide richness, color, and help create that soft, tender dough.
- Vanilla extract: Adds aromatic sweetness that complements the chai spices beautifully.
- Unsalted butter, softened: Brings moisture, richness, and melt-in-your-mouth softness.
- Heavy cream: Added for moisture and to infuse the chai flavor through steeping tea bags.
- Chai tea bags: The heart of the flavor infusion, steeped into cream for extra chai depth.
- Brown sugar: Used in the filling and frosting for a deep molasses flavor that pairs perfectly with spices.
- Honey: Adds natural sweetness and sticky richness to the chai caramel sauce at the bottom.
- Cream cheese: For a rich, tangy frosting that balances the sweetness and spices.
- Powdered sugar: Sweetens and smooths the frosting to creamy perfection.
How to Make Chai Cinnamon Rolls with Spiced Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe
Step 1: Bloom the yeast
Start by combining the active dry yeast, a teaspoon of granulated sugar, and warmed whole milk (about 110°F) in a small bowl. Give it a gentle stir and let it sit for 10 minutes until it bubbles and foams, signaling that your yeast is alive and ready to work its magic in the dough.
Step 2: Mix dry ingredients and chai spices
In a spacious bowl or the bowl of your stand mixer, whisk together the flour and your aromatic chai spice blend — cinnamon, ginger, allspice, nutmeg, cardamom, and cloves — alongside salt and the remaining sugar. This ensures every bite is infused with even spice distribution.
Step 3: Add eggs and butter
Next, introduce the whisked eggs, vanilla extract, and softened butter to the dry ingredients. Gently mix just until combined, setting the stage for a rich, tender dough.
Step 4: Combine yeast mixture and knead dough
Pour your foamy yeast mixture into the bowl and switch to a dough hook attachment. Knead on medium speed for 7 to 10 minutes, or until the dough is smooth, elastic, and springs back when pressed gently — the perfect texture for light, fluffy rolls.
Step 5: First rise of the dough
Shape the dough into a ball and place it into a large greased bowl. Cover with plastic wrap or a clean towel, then let it rise in a warm cozy spot for about 1 to 1 ½ hours until it doubles in size and fills you with anticipation.
Step 6: Steep the chai-infused cream
While the dough is rising, gently heat heavy cream in a small saucepan until steaming, then steep two chai tea bags for 10 minutes to infuse rich flavor. Remove the tea bags and allow the chai cream to cool to room temperature — this will become the luscious base of your caramel sauce.
Step 7: Make the chai caramel sauce
Blend softened butter, brown sugar, your chai spices, honey, vanilla extract, and salt in a medium bowl. Stir in the cooled chai-infused cream until silky smooth. This deeply flavorful sauce is the sweet, spiced foundation your rolls will bake on.
Step 8: Prepare the pan and spread caramel
Grease a 9 by 13-inch casserole dish generously, then spread the chai caramel sauce evenly across the bottom. This creates a gooey, aromatic layer that the rolls will soak up during baking.
Step 9: Prepare the chai brown sugar filling
In a small bowl, mix softened butter, brown sugar, chai spices, and salt until fully combined. This filling will melt inside your rolls, delivering bursts of spiced caramel sweetness.
Step 10: Roll out the dough
Once the dough has doubled, punch it down gently to release the air and roll it out on a lightly floured surface into a large 18 by 12-inch rectangle, about a quarter-inch thick — the perfect canvas for your delicious filling.
Step 11: Spread the filling
Using an offset spatula, spread the chai brown sugar filling evenly over the dough, covering every inch with spiced sweetness ready to be rolled up.
Step 12: Shape and slice the rolls
Starting from one edge, roll the dough tightly into a log. Trim the ends for neatness, then slice the log into twelve equal rolls about 1 ½ inches wide using unflavored floss or a sharp knife for clean cuts.
Step 13: Arrange rolls and pour cream
Place the rolls cut side up in your prepared casserole dish atop the chai caramel sauce. Pour the room temperature heavy cream between the rolls to keep them moist and add indulgent richness as they bake.
Step 14: Second rise (proofing)
Cover the dish with plastic wrap and let the rolls proof in a warm spot for about one hour until they double in size again and look perfectly puffy.
Step 15: Preheat the oven
About 15 minutes before baking, set your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit to ensure it’s nice and ready to give your rolls that golden finish.
Step 16: Bake the cinnamon rolls
Remove the plastic wrap and bake the rolls for 29 to 32 minutes, or until they develop a gorgeous golden brown color and fill your kitchen with intoxicating warm spice aromas.
Step 17: Prepare the spiced cream cheese frosting
While the rolls bake, beat softened butter and cream cheese in a bowl on medium-high speed until smooth and fluffy. Then incorporate powdered sugar, vanilla, and chai spices on low speed followed by a high-speed beat until light and airy.
Step 18: Cool and frost
Let the cinnamon rolls cool just about 10 minutes after baking but remain warm enough for the frosting to melt slightly as you spread it generously across the tops. This step creates that dreamy creamy finish that’s impossible to resist.
How to Serve Chai Cinnamon Rolls with Spiced Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe
Garnishes
Consider topping your rolls with a sprinkle of toasted chopped nuts like pecans or walnuts to add crunch and a nutty depth that pairs beautifully with the chai spices. A little dusting of extra cinnamon or a drizzle of honey can also elevate presentation and flavor impressively.
Side Dishes
Serve these rolls alongside a hot cup of chai tea or a robust coffee to complement and echo the warm spice notes. Fresh fruit, such as sliced oranges or berries, adds a bright contrast to the rich sweetness and makes the meal feel balanced and complete.
Creative Ways to Present
For a fun brunch display, arrange the rolls on a tiered cake stand or serve each individually on a pretty plate with a small pot of extra chai cream cheese frosting for dipping. You can even transform this recipe into pull-apart bread for a shareable centerpiece that’s as interactive as it is delicious.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Leftover chai cinnamon rolls keep well at room temperature, covered tightly with plastic wrap or stored in an airtight container, for up to two days. This preserves softness and keeps the frosting fresh and luscious.
Freezing
You can freeze unbaked rolls after slicing them, wrapped tightly in plastic wrap and foil, for up to one month. When ready to enjoy, thaw overnight in the fridge and let rise fully before baking. Fully baked rolls also freeze beautifully when wrapped well, making future treats just a microwave moment away.
Reheating
Reheat your cinnamon rolls gently in the microwave for 20 to 30 seconds or in a warm oven at about 300°F for 10 minutes to bring back that fresh-baked warmth and softness. Add a dab of extra frosting or butter if desired for that just-made taste.
FAQs
Can I use chai spice powder instead of individual spices?
Absolutely! If you have a pre-mixed chai spice blend, feel free to substitute it for the individual ground spices listed. Just use the equivalent amount to maintain that rich, spiced chai flavor throughout the rolls and frosting.
What if I don’t have chai tea bags? Can I still make this recipe?
If chai tea bags aren’t on hand, you can steep your own blend using black tea and a mix of chai spices in hot cream, or skip the steeping step and just increase the ground chai spices slightly in the filling and frosting for that signature flavor boost.
How do I know when the cinnamon rolls are done baking?
Look for a golden brown top that’s slightly firm to the touch but still soft underneath. The caramel sauce should be bubbly around the edges. If unsure, insert a toothpick into a center roll – it should come out clean or with a few moist crumbs.
Can I make these rolls vegan or dairy-free?
With some ingredient swaps like plant-based milk, vegan butter, and cream cheese alternatives, you can adapt this recipe for a dairy-free version. Just ensure your yeast is vegan-friendly and adjust textures as needed for best results.
Is it possible to make this recipe gluten-free?
Replacing the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free blend designed for baking can work, but keep in mind the texture may be slightly different, and you might need to tweak hydration levels. Using xanthan gum or a similar binder can help the dough rise and hold together well.
Final Thoughts
This Chai Cinnamon Rolls with Spiced Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe truly transforms the humble cinnamon roll into an extraordinary experience filled with fragrant chai warmth, sweet caramel, and creamy frosting. I promise you’ll be smiling with every bite, whether enjoying a quiet morning or impressing friends at brunch. Give it a try and let the cozy, aromatic flavors brighten your day like they do mine!
