Easy Chai Cinnamon Rolls with Caramel | Bakery-Style

There’s something undeniably cozy about a fresh batch of cinnamon rolls wafting through the kitchen, especially when they’re infused with the rich, warming spices of chai. This recipe for Easy Chai Cinnamon Rolls with Caramel | Bakery-Style takes the classic roll to a whole new level. Picture soft, fluffy dough spiraled with a luscious chai-spiced filling and drizzled with a decadent caramel sauce. It’s not just a treat; it’s an experience, perfect for snuggling up with a cup of tea or serving at a festive gathering.

I first made these Chai Cinnamon Rolls on a particularly chilly autumn morning. As the aroma filled my home, I found myself transported back to my favorite café, where I used to indulge in similar rolls. The blend of spices and warm caramel made it incredibly comforting. The beauty of this recipe lies in its simplicity—despite their impressive bakery-worthy appearance, you can whip these rolls up with ease. Trust me, you won’t want to miss the joy of sharing these delightful rolls with family and friends.

For the caramel:

• ½ cup unsalted butter: Softened for mixing, this adds creaminess.
• 1 cup plus 2 tablespoons light brown sugar: Packed firmly for a sticky richness.
• 1 ¾ teaspoons ground cinnamon: The caramel base needs a bold flavor.
• 1 teaspoon ground ginger: Adds warmth.
• ⅓ teaspoon ground allspice: Rounds out the caramel’s spicy notes.
• ⅓ teaspoon ground nutmeg: Introduces subtle sweetness.
• 1 teaspoon ground cardamom: Signature to chai.
• ⅙ teaspoon ground cloves: Provides an intense spice.
• ⅓ cup honey: Offers sticky richness.
• 1 ½ teaspoons vanilla extract: Elevates the sweetness of the caramel.
• ¼ teaspoon salt: Cuts through the caramel sweetness.

For the frosting:

• ½ cup plus 1 tablespoon unsalted butter: Soft and spreadable for a luscious texture.
• 7 ounces cream cheese: Softened to room temperature for easy blending.
• ¾ cup plus 2 tablespoons powdered sugar: Sifted if lumpy for a smooth frosting.
• 1 ½ teaspoons vanilla extract: For aroma in the frosting.
• ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon: Adds light spice.
• ¼ teaspoon ground ginger: Provides gentle warmth.
• ⅛ teaspoon ground allspice: Offers subtle depth.
• ⅛ teaspoon ground nutmeg: Just enough background spice.
• ¼ teaspoon ground cardamom: For a fragrant finish.
• Pinch ground cloves: A very small amount to elevate flavor.

How to Make Easy Chai Cinnamon Rolls with Caramel | Bakery-Style

Activate the Yeast: Combine the warm milk (1 ⅓ cups), 2 ½ teaspoons active dry yeast, and 1 ¼ teaspoons granular sugar in a bowl. Let it stand for about 5-10 minutes, or until a foamy layer forms on top. This step is crucial for a perfectly risen dough.

Mix the Dry Ingredients: In the bowl of a stand mixer, whisk together 5 ¼ cups all-purpose flour, 1 ¾ teaspoons ground cinnamon, 1 teaspoon ground ginger, ⅓ teaspoon ground allspice, ⅓ teaspoon ground nutmeg, ¾ teaspoon ground cardamom, ⅙ teaspoon ground cloves, and 1 ¾ teaspoons salt until evenly distributed. This ensures your spices are well combined for consistent flavor.

Combine Wet Ingredients: Add 2 large eggs (room temperature and lightly beaten), 1 tablespoon vanilla extract, and ½ cup plus 1 tablespoon unsalted butter (very soft but not melted) to the dry mixture. Blend until it becomes shaggy and resembles a dough.

Knead the Dough: Slowly pour the activated yeast mixture into the shaggy dough and knead using a dough hook until smooth and elastic, usually about 8-10 minutes. The dough should pull away from the sides of the bowl and feel soft yet slightly tacky.

Let the Dough Rise: Shape the kneaded dough into a ball, place it in a greased bowl, cover it with a clean towel, and allow it to rise in a warm environment until it doubles in size, about 1-1.5 hours.

Prepare the Chai Cream: While the dough rises, gently warm ⅓ cup heavy cream in a saucepan, then steep 2 chai tea bags in the cream for about 15 minutes. Remove the tea bags and let the cream cool slightly. This infused cream will elevate your caramel.

Make the Caramel Mixture: In a mixing bowl, combine ½ cup unsalted butter, 1 cup plus 2 tablespoons light brown sugar, 1 ¾ teaspoons ground cinnamon, 1 teaspoon ground ginger, ⅓ teaspoon ground allspice, ⅓ teaspoon ground nutmeg, 1 teaspoon ground cardamom, ⅙ teaspoon ground cloves, ⅓ cup honey, 1 ½ teaspoons vanilla extract, and ¼ teaspoon salt. Stir in the cooled chai-infused cream until the mixture is smooth.

Prepare for Filling: Spread the caramel mixture evenly across the bottom of a greased baking dish. This will create a sweet base for the rolls.

Make the Filling: To create the filling, mix together ½ cup plus 1 tablespoon unsalted butter (softened), 1 cup plus 2 tablespoons light brown sugar, 1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon, 1 ½ teaspoons ground ginger, ½ teaspoon ground allspice, ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg, 1 teaspoon ground cardamom, ¼ teaspoon ground cloves, and ¼ teaspoon salt until fully combined.

Roll the Dough: On a floured surface, roll the risen dough into a rectangle about 16 by 12 inches, ensuring an even thickness. This shape allows for tight, even rolls.

Spread the Filling: Evenly spread the chai spiced filling across the surface of the rolled-out dough, making sure to cover all corners for maximum flavor.

Shape the Rolls: Starting from one edge, tightly roll the dough into a log shape. Once rolled, slice the dough into uniform pieces, about 1.5 inches thick. You should end up with around 14 rolls.

Arrange in Dish: Nestle the rolls into the prepared baking dish, ensuring they are close together. Pour the remaining chai cream mixture between the rolls, cover the dish, and let them rise again until puffy, about 30 minutes.

Preheat the Oven: As the rolls rise, preheat your oven to 350°F. The warm oven will help the rolls bake to golden perfection.

Bake to Perfection: Once puffy, place the baking dish in the oven and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown and the rolls are cooked through. The fragrant aroma will fill your kitchen as they bake.

Prepare the Frosting: In a mixing bowl, beat together 7 tablespoons unsalted butter and 7 ounces cream cheese until light and fluffy. Gradually blend in ¾ cup plus 2 tablespoons powdered sugar, 1 ½ teaspoons vanilla extract, ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon, ¼ teaspoon ground ginger, ⅛ teaspoon ground allspice, ⅛ teaspoon ground nutmeg, ¼ teaspoon ground cardamom, and a pinch of ground cloves until smooth and airy.

Frost the Rolls: Allow the baked rolls to cool for just a few minutes before generously spreading the frosting over the warm rolls. The heat from the rolls will slightly melt the frosting, creating a deliciously gooey topping.

Storing & Reheating

Store any leftover cinnamon rolls in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. If you need to keep them longer, refrigerate for up to a week. For longer storage, wrap them tightly in plastic wrap and freeze for up to 3 months. To refresh, reheat in a microwave, covered with a paper towel, for about 15-20 seconds, or until warmed through. Keep in mind that while they will still taste delicious after freezing, the texture may change slightly.

These Easy Chai Cinnamon Rolls with Caramel | Bakery-Style are more than just a dessert; they offer warm hugs through each fluffy bite, perfect for sharing with loved ones. Don’t hesitate to tweak the spices to your liking or even try adding nuts or raisins for extra texture. The best part? There’s no wrong way to enjoy them. Gather your ingredients, channel your inner baker, and relish the delight these rolls bring. Enjoy every cozy moment!

Recipe FAQs

Can I use fresh ginger instead of ground ginger?

Yes! Fresh ginger can be used; however, it has a more intense flavor. Just grate about 1 tablespoon of fresh ginger and use it in place of the ground ginger for an extra zing of spice.

How can I make my cinnamon rolls fluffier?

Make sure that your yeast is fresh and that you allow enough time for the dough to rise fully before baking. Kneading the dough until it’s smooth and elastic also contributes to a fluffy texture.

Can I prepare the dough ahead of time?

Absolutely! You can prepare the dough the night before and place it in the refrigerator after the first rise. In the morning, let it come to room temperature and continue with shaping, filling, and baking as directed.

What should I do if my rolls don’t rise?

If your rolls don’t rise, it’s often due to inactive yeast. Ensure the milk was not too hot or cold while activating the yeast. It should be around 110°F. If it’s too warm, it can kill the yeast; too cold won’t activate it. Also, give them enough time in a warm, draft-free area to rise.

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Easy Chai Cinnamon Rolls with Caramel | Bakery-Style

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• Author: Peter
• Prep Time: 1 hour
• Cook Time: 33 minutes
• Total Time: 1 hour 33 minutes
• Yield: 14 rolls 1x
• Category: Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

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Description

These Easy Chai Cinnamon Rolls with Caramel are a heavenly blend of warm spices and sweet caramel. They’re simple to prepare and perfect for a cozy brunch or dessert. Your taste buds will thank you!

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 ⅓ cups whole milk, warmed to about 110°f
• 2 ½ teaspoons active dry yeast
• 1 ¼ teaspoons granulated sugar
• 5 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 ¾ teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon ground ginger
• ⅓ teaspoon ground allspice
• ⅓ teaspoon ground nutmeg
• ¾ teaspoon ground cardamom
• ⅙ teaspoon ground cloves
• 1 ¾ teaspoons salt
• 2 ½ tablespoons granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs, room temperature
• 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
• ½ cup plus 1 tablespoon unsalted butter, very soft
• ⅓ cup heavy cream
• 2 chai tea bags
• ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup plus 2 tablespoons light brown sugar
• 1 ¾ teaspoons ground cinnamon (for caramel)
• 1 teaspoon ground ginger (for caramel)
• ⅓ teaspoon ground allspice (for caramel)
• ⅓ teaspoon ground nutmeg (for caramel)
• 1 teaspoon ground cardamom (for caramel)
• ⅙ teaspoon ground cloves (for caramel)
• ⅓ cup honey
• 1 ½ teaspoons vanilla extract (for caramel)
• ¼ teaspoon salt (for caramel)
• ½ cup plus 1 tablespoon unsalted butter, soft and spreadable
• 1 cup plus 2 tablespoons light brown sugar
• 1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon (for filling)
• 1 ½ teaspoons ground ginger (for filling)
• ½ teaspoon ground allspice (for filling)
• ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg (for filling)
• 1 teaspoon ground cardamom (for filling)
• ¼ teaspoon ground cloves (for filling)
• ¼ teaspoon salt (for filling)
• ¼ cup heavy cream
• 7 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
• 7 ounces cream cheese, softened
• ¾ cup plus 2 tablespoons powdered sugar, sifted
• 1 ½ teaspoons vanilla extract (for frosting)
• ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon (for frosting)
• ¼ teaspoon ground ginger (for frosting)
• ⅛ teaspoon ground allspice (for frosting)
• ⅛ teaspoon ground nutmeg (for frosting)
• ¼ teaspoon ground cardamom (for frosting)
• pinch ground cloves (for frosting)

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Instructions

• Combine warm milk, yeast, and some sugar in a bowl; let sit until foamy.
• In a stand mixer, whisk together flour, spices, salt, and sugar.
• Mix eggs, vanilla, and softened butter into dry ingredients until shaggy.
• Add yeast mixture and knead until smooth and elastic.
• Shape dough into a ball, place in a greased bowl, cover, and let rise until doubled.
• Gently warm heavy cream, steep chai tea bags, then cool.
• Mix butter, brown sugar, spices, honey, vanilla, and salt; stir in cooled chai cream.
• Spread the caramel mixture in a greased baking dish.
• Prepare filling by mixing softened butter, brown sugar, spices, and salt.
• Roll out risen dough into a rectangle, then spread filling evenly.
• Roll dough tightly and slice into even rolls.
• Place rolls in the dish, pour cream between them, cover, and let rise until puffy.
• Preheat oven to 350°F during final proofing.
• Bake rolls until golden brown and fully cooked.
• Beat butter and cream cheese until light, then mix in powdered sugar, vanilla, and spices until smooth.
• Allow rolls to cool slightly, then spread frosting on tops.

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Notes

Ensure milk is warm, but not too hot, to activate the yeast effectively.
For extra spice, consider using freshly ground spices in the dough and filling.
Allow rolls to cool slightly before applying frosting for a perfect melt-in-your-mouth finish.

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Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1 roll
• Calories: 350
• Sugar: 18g
• Sodium: 240mg
• Fat: 15g
• Saturated Fat: 9g
• Unsaturated Fat: 4g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 50g
• Fiber: 2g
• Protein: 6g
• Cholesterol: 50mg

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