Chai Latte Cinnamon Rolls

If you happen to’ve made my famous cinnamon rolls earlier than, you already know the way ridiculously comfortable and fluffy they’re. This chai latte model builds on that very same beloved base, however layers in all the comfortable spices of a heat mug of chai in 4 locations: the dough, the filling, the glaze, and the cream soak. And sure, we’re even pouring chai-infused cream over the rolls earlier than baking to verify each chunk is gooey, comfortable, and loaded with taste.

For a enjoyable play on cinnamon rolls, attempt my cinnamon roll cookies!

Why My Recipe

Chai taste in each chunk. From the dough to the glaze, and even the cream soak.
That chai-infused cream? It takes these rolls to a different degree of soppy and gooey.
Heat spices meet comfortable, fluffy dough for the proper from-scratch cinnamon roll.

An overhead view of a pan of chai latte cinnamon rolls. One sweet roll has been removed and is sitting on a plate for serving.

Chai spices like cardamom, ginger, cinnamon, and a contact of black pepper give these rolls that signature heat with out being overwhelming. It’s nonetheless every little thing you’re keen on a few basic cinnamon roll, simply with slightly twist. Whether or not you’re baking for brunch, fall mornings, or simply need one thing completely different, these rolls are the sort you’ll be eager about lengthy after they’re gone.

Ingredient Notes

An overhead view of the ingredients needed to make chai latte cinnamon rolls.

Milk: Entire milk and a pair of% are most popular right here, however you may work with no matter you retain available.
Chai Tea Luggage: Use any black chai tea with robust spice notes like cinnamon, cardamom, and ginger.
On the spot Dry Yeast: Additionally labeled as rapid-rise or quick-rise yeast. For lively dry yeast, add 10 to fifteen minutes to the rising time.
Granulated Sugar: Simply sufficient to feed the yeast and provides a lightweight sweetness to the dough.
Salt: Use common desk salt.
Salted Butter: Used all through the dough, filling, and glaze. If you happen to solely have unsalted, it’ll nonetheless work out.
Egg: One giant egg.
All-Goal Flour: Begin with 2 1/2 cups and add extra as wanted.
Brown Sugar: Mild brown sugar works nice. Darkish brown sugar will give a deeper taste.
Floor Cinnamon, Floor Ginger, Floor Cardamom, Floor Cloves, Floor Allspice, Floor Black Pepper: This tradition mix brings out the nice and cozy chai taste. You possibly can regulate the degrees based mostly in your private spice preferences.
Heavy Cream: This will get poured over the rolls earlier than baking and makes them further comfortable and gooey. Make sure to steep the chai tea bag in it for extra taste.
Cream Cheese: Soften it at room temperature for a clean glaze.
Powdered Sugar: Regulate the quantity to get the glaze consistency you want.
Vanilla Extract: Balances the spice within the glaze.
Milk (for glaze): Add just a bit at a time to get the glaze as thick or skinny as you need.

Utilizing Chai Focus

We advocate steeping chai tea baggage in milk and cream for essentially the most balanced taste, however boxed chai focus will be labored in too, with some changes.

Change half of the milk within the dough and cream soak with an equal quantity of chai focus. Simply know that almost all concentrates are already sweetened, so you could wish to barely cut back the sugar within the dough and filling to keep away from making the rolls too candy.

Spice Customization Information

This recipe makes use of a daring chai mix with cardamom, cinnamon, ginger, cloves, allspice, and a contact of black pepper.

If you happen to favor a milder taste, lower the cardamom and ginger in half and skip the pepper.

For a spicier roll, double the black pepper or add a pinch of white pepper.

You can even swap in pumpkin pie spice for a simplified model, however we predict this practice mix actually makes it sing.

Troubleshooting

Dough too sticky?

Add further flour one tablespoon at a time till it’s comfortable and cheesy, not moist or overly sticky.

Dough didn’t rise?

Ensure your yeast is contemporary and that your milk was between 100°F and 110°F when mixing. A cooler room may also gradual issues down, so attempt transferring the dough to a hotter spot.

Filling leaked out?

This may occur if the rolls are sliced too loosely or the pan is overfilled. Use a serrated knife and ensure the log is rolled tightly.

Overbaked or dry?

Each oven is completely different. Begin checking for doneness on the 18-minute mark. The tops must be frivolously golden and the facilities simply cooked via.

Serving Concepts and Variations

These rolls are implausible on their very own, however listed here are just a few enjoyable methods to vary them up:

Soiled Chai Rolls: Add 1 to 2 teaspoons of immediate espresso powder to the glaze for a espresso twist.

Candied Ginger: Sprinkle chopped candied ginger into the filling for much more spice and texture.

Toasted Nuts: Add chopped pecans or walnuts to the filling for slightly crunch.

Maple Glaze Choice: Change the milk within the glaze with maple syrup for a maple-chai spin.

Further Chai Drizzle: Reserve a spoonful or two of the steeped chai cream and drizzle it over the completed rolls earlier than serving.

A hand holding a chai latte cinnamon roll. The pan of sweet rolls is out of focus in the background.

Cream Soak

Proper earlier than baking, these rolls get a beneficiant pour of heat, chai-infused heavy cream. This further step may appear uncommon in case you haven’t tried it earlier than, but it surely’s one of many secrets and techniques to ultra-soft, gooey cinnamon rolls.

The cream soaks into the dough because the rolls bake, making a wealthy, tender texture and serving to to maintain the facilities completely comfortable with out drying out. Infusing the cream with a chai tea bag provides much more heat spice taste that ties every little thing collectively.

Ideas for Success

Steep the tea lengthy sufficient for a robust taste, however don’t let the milk cool beneath 100°F earlier than utilizing.
Don’t rush the kneading. It’s what makes the dough clean and elastic.
For clear slices, use a serrated knife or unflavored dental floss.

Make-Forward & In a single day Directions

You possibly can prep these rolls forward of time to make your morning slightly simpler. Comply with the recipe via assembling the rolls within the baking pan, then cowl tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate in a single day.

The subsequent morning, let the pan sit at room temperature for about 45 minutes earlier than baking as directed. Wait to warmth and pour the chai-infused cream till simply earlier than baking.

If you happen to’re tight on time, you can too make the dough a day forward and refrigerate it earlier than the primary rise. Let it come again to room temperature earlier than rolling out and filling.

Freezing Information

To freeze unbaked rolls: Assemble the rolls within the pan, however don’t allow them to rise a second time. Cowl tightly with plastic wrap and foil, then freeze for as much as 3 months. When able to bake, thaw in a single day within the fridge, then allow them to rise at room temperature for about an hour. Pour the chai cream over them and bake as directed.

To freeze baked rolls: Let the rolls cool fully, then wrap each individually or place them in a freezer-safe container. Freeze for as much as 3 months. Thaw at room temperature or microwave for 30 to 60 seconds to reheat. Glaze after warming for the very best texture.

Storage & Reheating

Storing at room temperature: As soon as the rolls are fully cooled and glazed, retailer them in an hermetic container at room temperature for as much as 2 days. In case your kitchen is very heat or humid, refrigerate as an alternative.

Storing within the fridge: These rolls will maintain within the fridge for as much as 5 days. Ensure they’re saved in a tightly sealed container to maintain them comfortable.

Reheating: To reheat a batch, place the rolls in a baking dish, cowl with foil, and heat in a 300°F oven for about 10 minutes. For a fast repair, microwave particular person rolls for 15 to twenty seconds.