These gooey chai cinnamon rolls are soft, fluffy, and packed with warm, spiced flavors. Filled with a rich brown sugar chai filling and topped with a luscious chai cream cheese frosting, they are the perfect blend of sweetness and spice. Whether you’re looking for a cozy breakfast, a holiday treat, or an indulgent weekend bake, these rolls are sure to impress!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Warm and Cozy Flavors – A perfect combination of cinnamon, cardamom, ginger, and other chai spices.
- Soft and Fluffy Texture – The dough is rich and tender, making every bite melt in your mouth.
- Deliciously Gooey Center – The chai-spiced brown sugar filling adds an irresistible caramelized texture.
- Irresistible Frosting – Chai-infused cream cheese frosting takes these rolls to the next level.
- Perfect for Any Occasion – Great for holiday mornings, brunch gatherings, or as a comforting treat.
Ingredients
(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
For the Dough:
- 4 cups (500g) all-purpose flour
- ½ cup (100g) granulated sugar
- 2¼ teaspoons (1 packet) active dry yeast
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup (240ml) warm milk (110°F/43°C)
- ½ cup (113g) unsalted butter, melted
- 2 large eggs, at room temperature
For the Chai Spice Mix:
- 1½ teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon ground cardamom
- ½ teaspoon ground ginger
- ½ teaspoon ground allspice
- ½ teaspoon ground cloves
- ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
For the Filling:
- ½ cup (113g) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup (200g) packed light brown sugar
- Chai spice mix (from above)
For the Chai Cream Cheese Frosting:
- 8 oz (226g) cream cheese, softened
- ½ cup (113g) unsalted butter, softened
- 2 cups (240g) powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon ground cardamom
- ¼ teaspoon ground ginger
- ¼ teaspoon ground allspice
- ¼ teaspoon ground cloves
- ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
Directions
Prepare the Dough:
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, granulated sugar, yeast, and salt.
- Add the warm milk, melted butter, and eggs to the dry ingredients. Mix until a soft dough forms.
- Knead the dough on a lightly floured surface for about 8-10 minutes, until smooth and elastic.
- Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover with a clean kitchen towel, and let it rise in a warm place for about 1 hour, or until doubled in size.
Prepare the Chai Spice Mix:
- In a small bowl, combine the ground cinnamon, cardamom, ginger, allspice, cloves, and nutmeg. Set aside.
Prepare the Filling:
- In a medium bowl, mix the softened butter with the brown sugar and the prepared chai spice mix until well combined. Set aside.
Assemble the Rolls:
- Once the dough has risen, punch it down to release the air.
- Roll the dough out on a lightly floured surface into a rectangle approximately 16×12 inches (40×30 cm).
- Spread the chai-spiced filling evenly over the dough, leaving a small border around the edges.
- Starting from the long edge, tightly roll the dough into a log.
- Cut the log into 12 equal pieces and place them in a greased 9×13 inch (23×33 cm) baking dish.
- Cover the dish with a kitchen towel and let the rolls rise for about 30 minutes, or until puffed.
Bake:
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Bake the rolls for 25-30 minutes, or until golden brown.
- Remove from the oven and let them cool slightly while preparing the frosting.
Prepare the Chai Cream Cheese Frosting:
- In a large bowl, beat the softened cream cheese and butter together until smooth and creamy.
- Add the powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and the remaining spices. Beat until well combined and fluffy.
Frost and Serve:
- Spread the chai cream cheese frosting over the warm cinnamon rolls.
- Serve warm and enjoy!
Servings and Timing
- Servings: 12 rolls
- Prep Time: 30 minutes (plus rising time)
- Cooking Time: 25-30 minutes
- Total Time: Approximately 2.5 hours
- Calories per serving: Approximately 450 kcal
Variations
- Vegan Option: Use plant-based butter, almond or oat milk, and dairy-free cream cheese.
- Gluten-Free Version: Swap all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend that contains xanthan gum.
- Extra Spiced: Add a pinch of black pepper for a stronger chai kick.
- Caramel Drizzle: Drizzle warm caramel sauce over the frosted rolls for an extra indulgence.
- Nutty Crunch: Sprinkle chopped pecans or walnuts over the filling before rolling up the dough.
Storage/Reheating
- Storage: Store leftover rolls in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days or in the fridge for up to 5 days.
- Freezing: Freeze unfrosted rolls in an airtight container for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
- Reheating: Warm in the microwave for 20-30 seconds or in a 300°F oven for 5-7 minutes until soft and warm.
FAQs
Can I make these cinnamon rolls ahead of time?
Yes! You can prepare the rolls the night before, cover them, and refrigerate overnight. Let them come to room temperature for 30 minutes before baking.
What can I use instead of chai spices?
If you don’t have all the spices, you can use a pre-made chai spice blend or substitute with pumpkin spice mix.
Why didn’t my dough rise?
Make sure your yeast is fresh and your milk is warm but not too hot (110°F/43°C). Cold or overly hot liquid can prevent yeast from activating.
Can I use instant yeast instead of active dry yeast?
Yes! If using instant yeast, you can skip the proofing step and mix it directly with the dry ingredients.
How do I make these cinnamon rolls softer?
Be sure not to overbake them, and store them in an airtight container to keep them moist.
Can I use a stand mixer to knead the dough?
Yes! Use the dough hook attachment and knead on medium speed for about 5 minutes until smooth.
Can I make mini chai cinnamon rolls?
Yes! Cut the dough into smaller sections and reduce baking time by 5-7 minutes.
Why is my filling leaking out?
If you roll the dough too loosely, the filling may leak. Rolling tightly and using softened (not melted) butter helps prevent this.
Can I skip the frosting?
Yes! The rolls are still delicious on their own, or you can top them with a simple glaze instead.
How do I make these rolls extra gooey?
Increase the butter in the filling slightly and drizzle some heavy cream over the rolls before baking.
Conclusion
These chai cinnamon rolls are a dreamy, spiced twist on a classic favorite. With their soft texture, rich filling, and creamy chai-spiced frosting, they are a must-try for any cinnamon roll lover. Whether for a holiday breakfast or a cozy weekend treat, they will bring warmth and comfort to your table!
Print
Chai Cinnamon Rolls
- Total Time: ~2.5 hours
- Yield: 12 rolls
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These gooey Chai Cinnamon Rolls are soft, fluffy, and filled with a delicious brown sugar chai spice mixture, then topped with a rich chai cream cheese frosting. Perfectly spiced and sweet, they bring cozy warmth to breakfast, brunch, or dessert!
Ingredients
For the Dough:
- 4 cups (500g) all-purpose flour
- ½ cup (100g) granulated sugar
- 2¼ teaspoons (1 packet) active dry yeast
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup (240ml) warm milk (110°F/43°C)
- ½ cup (113g) unsalted butter, melted
- 2 large eggs, at room temperature
For the Chai Spice Mix:
- 1½ teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon ground cardamom
- ½ teaspoon ground ginger
- ½ teaspoon ground allspice
- ½ teaspoon ground cloves
- ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
For the Filling:
- ½ cup (113g) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup (200g) packed light brown sugar
- Chai spice mix (from above)
For the Chai Cream Cheese Frosting:
- 8 oz (226g) cream cheese, softened
- ½ cup (113g) unsalted butter, softened
- 2 cups (240g) powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon ground cardamom
- ¼ teaspoon ground ginger
- ¼ teaspoon ground allspice
- ¼ teaspoon ground cloves
- ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
Instructions
-
Prepare the Dough:
- In a large bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, yeast, and salt.
- Add warm milk, melted butter, and eggs. Mix until a soft dough forms.
- Knead for 8-10 minutes until smooth and elastic.
- Place dough in a greased bowl, cover, and let rise for 1 hour until doubled in size.
-
Prepare the Chai Spice Mix:
- In a small bowl, mix cinnamon, cardamom, ginger, allspice, cloves, and nutmeg.
-
Prepare the Filling:
- Mix softened butter, brown sugar, and chai spice mix until well combined.
-
Assemble the Rolls:
- Roll dough into a 16×12 inch (40×30 cm) rectangle on a floured surface.
- Spread chai spiced filling evenly over the dough.
- Roll tightly into a log and cut into 12 equal pieces.
- Place rolls in a greased 9×13 inch (23×33 cm) baking dish.
- Cover and let rise for 30 minutes.
-
Bake:
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until golden brown.
- Let cool slightly before frosting.
-
Prepare the Chai Cream Cheese Frosting:
- Beat cream cheese and butter until smooth.
- Add powdered sugar, vanilla, and spices. Beat until fluffy.
-
Frost and Serve:
- Spread frosting over warm cinnamon rolls. Serve and enjoy!
Notes
- Overnight Option: Prepare the rolls, cover, and refrigerate overnight. Bake in the morning.
- Make it Dairy-Free: Use plant-based butter and dairy-free cream cheese.
- Extra Spice: Add a pinch of black pepper for a stronger chai flavor.
- Storage: Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days or freeze for up to 2 months.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes (plus rising time)
- Cook Time: 25-30 minutes
- Category: Breakfast, Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American, Fusion
