Description
These Easy Chai Cinnamon Rolls with Caramel are a delightful fusion of warm chai spices and gooey caramel. With simple ingredients and straightforward steps, they make for a perfect sweet treat for breakfast or dessert, sure to enchant any food lover.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 ⅓ cups whole milk warmed to about 110°f for yeast activation
- 2 ½ teaspoons active dry yeast fresh and properly stored
- 1 ¼ teaspoons granulated sugar used to feed the yeast
- 5 ¼ cups all-purpose flour spooned and leveled for accuracy
- 1 ¾ teaspoons ground cinnamon freshly ground if possible
- 1 teaspoon ground ginger adds warmth and spice
- ⅓ teaspoon ground allspice for depth of flavor
- ⅓ teaspoon ground nutmeg aromatic and cozy
- ¾ teaspoon ground cardamom classic chai spice
- ⅙ teaspoon ground cloves very finely ground
- 1 ¾ teaspoons salt balances sweetness
- 2 ½ tablespoons granulated sugar for light sweetness
- 2 large eggs room temperature and lightly beaten
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract pure vanilla preferred
- ½ cup plus 1 tablespoon unsalted butter very soft, not melted
- ⅓ cup heavy cream used for steeping tea
- 2 chai tea bags strongly spiced variety
- ½ cup unsalted butter softened for easy mixing
- 1 cup plus 2 tablespoons light brown sugar packed firmly
- 1 ¾ teaspoons ground cinnamon for the caramel base
- 1 teaspoon ground ginger adds warmth
- ⅓ teaspoon ground allspice rounded spice note
- ⅓ teaspoon ground nutmeg subtle sweetness
- 1 teaspoon ground cardamom fragrant and floral
- ⅙ teaspoon ground cloves intense spice
- ⅓ cup honey for sticky richness
- 1 ½ teaspoons vanilla extract enhances sweetness
- ¼ teaspoon salt cuts through caramel sweetness
- ½ cup plus 1 tablespoon unsalted butter soft and spreadable
- 1 cup plus 2 tablespoons light brown sugar packed
- 1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon bold flavor
- 1 ½ teaspoons ground ginger warming spice
- ½ teaspoon ground allspice earthy balance
- ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg gentle warmth
- 1 teaspoon ground cardamom signature chai note
- ¼ teaspoon ground cloves deep spice
- ¼ teaspoon salt flavor balance
- ¼ cup heavy cream poured between rolls before baking
- 7 tablespoons unsalted butter softened fully
- 7 ounces cream cheese softened to room temperature
- ¾ cup plus 2 tablespoons powdered sugar sifted if lumpy
- 1 ½ teaspoons vanilla extract for aroma
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon light spice
- ¼ teaspoon ground ginger gentle warmth
- ⅛ teaspoon ground allspice subtle depth
- ⅛ teaspoon ground nutmeg background spice
- ¼ teaspoon ground cardamom fragrant finish
- pinch ground cloves very small amount
Instructions
- Mix the warm milk with yeast and a little sugar in a bowl and let it froth.
- In a stand mixer bowl, combine flour, spices, salt, and sugar thoroughly.
- Add eggs, vanilla, and softened butter to the dry ingredients and blend to a shaggy mixture.
- Incorporate the yeast mixture and knead until the dough is smooth and elastic.
- Shape the dough into a ball, place it in a greased bowl, cover, and rise until doubled in size.
- Gently warm the heavy cream to steep the chai tea bags, then cool the infused cream.
- Mix together butter, brown sugar, spices, honey, vanilla, and salt, adding in the cooled chai cream until well combined.
- Spread the caramel mixture in the bottom of a greased baking dish.
- Prepare the filling with softened butter, brown sugar, spices, and salt.
- Roll the risen dough into a rectangle on a floured surface to an even thickness.
- Spread the chai filling across the dough.
- Tightly roll the dough into a log and slice into even pieces.
- Place the rolls in the baking dish, pour cream between them, cover, and allow to rise until puffy.
- Preheat the oven to 350°F while the rolls finish rising.
- Bake the rolls until golden and completely cooked through.
- Beat butter and cream cheese until fluffy and light.
- Gently mix in powdered sugar, vanilla, and spices until smooth and airy.
- Let the rolls cool slightly, then generously frost the warm tops with the mixture before serving.
Notes
Ensure that the milk is warm, not hot, to properly activate the yeast.
For best results, use fresh, high-quality spices for enhanced flavor.
Allow rolls to cool briefly before applying frosting to prevent it from melting.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 roll
- Calories: 432
- Sugar: 25g
- Sodium: 240mg
- Fat: 21g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 57g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 6g
- Cholesterol: 13mg