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!
Ingredients
Scale
- 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)
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.
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.
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