Description
Chai-spiced cinnamon rolls blend warm Indian spices with classic American pastry for a delightful breakfast treat. Spicy, sweet layers promise comforting morning moments you’ll savor with each delicious bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Chai Spices and Main Flavors:
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cardamom
- 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
Dough Base Ingredients:
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup milk
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 1/2 cup butter
- 2 eggs
- 2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Filling and Topping:
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1/4 cup butter
Instructions
- Activate the yeast by combining it with warm milk and sugar, allowing it to bloom for 5-10 minutes until foamy.
- Incorporate softened butter, eggs, and flour into the yeast mixture, kneading until a smooth, elastic dough forms.
- Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover, and let rise in a warm environment for approximately 1 hour or until doubled in size.
- Prepare the chai-spiced filling by blending brown sugar with ground cinnamon, cardamom, ginger, cloves, and nutmeg.
- Roll out the risen dough into a rectangular shape, creating a thin, even surface.
- Generously spread softened butter across the dough, ensuring complete coverage.
- Evenly distribute the chai-spiced sugar mixture over the buttered surface, leaving a small border around the edges.
- Carefully roll the dough into a tight log, starting from the long side, creating a spiral pattern.
- Slice the log into individual rolls, approximately 1-2 inches thick.
- Arrange the rolls in a greased baking dish, allowing space for expansion.
- Cover and let the rolls undergo a second rise for 30-45 minutes until puffy and touching each other.
- Preheat the oven to 375°F and bake for 20-25 minutes until golden brown and fragrant.
- Whisk together powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla to create a smooth glaze.
- Drizzle the glaze over warm rolls, allowing it to cascade and set slightly before serving.
Notes
- Activate yeast carefully by ensuring milk is warm (not hot) to prevent killing the active cultures.
- Choose high-quality ground spices for authentic chai flavor, freshly ground preferred for maximum aroma.
- Make dairy-free version by substituting milk with almond or oat milk and using plant-based butter alternatives.
- Consider preparing dough night before and refrigerating for slow fermentation, enhancing deeper flavor complexity.
- Prep Time: 1 hour 45 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Breakfast, Snacks, Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 12
- Calories: 280 kcal
- Sugar: 12 g
- Sodium: 180 mg
- Fat: 9 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3.5 g
- Trans Fat: 0.2 g
- Carbohydrates: 40 g
- Fiber: 1.5 g
- Protein: 5 g
- Cholesterol: 45 mg