Description
These Chai Cinnamon Rolls combine the warm, aromatic spices of chai — including cinnamon and cardamom — into a soft, fluffy dough rolled with a spiced brown sugar filling. Topped with a sweet vanilla glaze, these rolls are perfect for a comforting breakfast or an indulgent treat any time of day.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Dough:
- 1 cup warm milk
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 2 1/4 tsp active dry yeast
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 2 large eggs
- 4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp ground cardamom
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
For the Filling:
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 2 tbsp ground cinnamon
- 1 tbsp ground cardamom
For the Glaze:
- 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 tbsp milk
- Pinch of salt
Instructions
- Activate Yeast: In a small bowl, dissolve the sugar and active dry yeast in warm milk. Let this mixture sit for about 5 minutes, or until it becomes foamy, indicating the yeast is active.
- Make the Dough: In a large mixing bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, ground cinnamon, ground cardamom, and salt. Add the yeast mixture, melted butter, eggs, and vanilla extract to the dry ingredients. Mix everything until a dough forms.
- Knead the Dough: Knead the dough on a lightly floured surface for 5 to 7 minutes until it becomes smooth and elastic. Place the dough in a bowl, cover it with a towel, and let it rise in a warm place for 1 hour, or until it has doubled in size.
- Prepare the Dough for Filling: Once risen, roll the dough out into a large rectangle on a floured surface. Spread the softened butter evenly across the top of the dough.
- Add the Filling: In a small bowl, mix together the brown sugar, ground cinnamon, and ground cardamom. Sprinkle this mixture evenly over the buttered dough surface.
- Form the Rolls: Roll the dough tightly into a log shape starting from one long edge. Slice the log into 12 even pieces using a sharp knife.
- Arrange and Rise: Place the rolls cut side up into a greased baking pan, ensuring they have a little space to expand. Cover and let them rise for another 30 minutes while you preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Bake: Bake the rolls in the preheated oven for 25 to 30 minutes, or until they turn a lovely golden brown color.
- Prepare the Glaze and Serve: While the rolls bake, mix together the powdered sugar, vanilla extract, milk, and a pinch of salt until smooth. Drizzle the glaze over the warm rolls just before serving for a deliciously sweet finish.
Notes
- Use warm, not hot milk when activating the yeast to avoid killing it.
- Make sure the dough doubles in size for fluffy rolls.
- For extra moisture, brush the rolls with melted butter immediately after baking.
- The cardamom and cinnamon can be adjusted based on your spice preference.
- These rolls can be stored in an airtight container for up to 3 days or frozen for longer storage.
