Description
Homemade chai cinnamon rolls dance with warm Indian spices, creating a delightful breakfast pastry that whisks senses to cozy morning moments. Sweet dough infused with cardamom, ginger, and black pepper promises comfort for weekend mornings you’ll savor completely.
Ingredients
Scale
Flour and Dough Ingredients:
- 4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup warm milk
- 2 teaspoons active dry yeast
- 1 large egg
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Spice and Flavor Ingredients:
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Sweetening Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 cup cream cheese
- 1/4 cup powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
Instructions
- Dissolve yeast in warm milk with sugar, allowing it to become frothy and activate for approximately 5 minutes.
- Create a spice-infused flour blend by combining dry ingredients, incorporating aromatic cinnamon, ginger, and cloves.
- Integrate wet ingredients into the flour mixture, carefully mixing until a cohesive dough forms.
- Transfer dough to a lightly floured surface, kneading rhythmically for 5 minutes to develop gluten and achieve a silky texture.
- Allow dough to rest and expand in a covered, greased container for 60 minutes, or until volume doubles.
- Prepare work surface by lightly dusting with flour, then roll dough into a precise rectangular shape measuring approximately 12×9 inches.
- Generously spread softened butter across dough’s surface, then evenly distribute brown sugar and additional warming spices.
- Tightly roll the dough into a compact log, ensuring even distribution of filling.
- Slice the log into 12 uniform rolls, positioning them carefully in a prepared baking vessel.
- Permit rolls to proof for an additional 30 minutes, allowing them to become puffy and light.
- Bake in a preheated 350°F oven for 20-25 minutes until achieving a golden-brown complexion.
- Craft a luxurious cream cheese glaze by whisking together cream cheese, powdered sugar, cinnamon, and vanilla until perfectly smooth.
- Drizzle the aromatic glaze over warm rolls moments before serving, ensuring maximum flavor absorption.
Notes
- Use freshly ground spices for a more intense, aromatic chai flavor that elevates the entire roll’s taste profile.
- Allow the dough to rise in a warm, draft-free area to ensure optimal yeast activation and soft, fluffy texture.
- For a gluten-free version, substitute all-purpose flour with a high-quality gluten-free blend and add xanthan gum for better structure.
- Create dairy-free rolls by replacing milk with almond or oat milk and using coconut oil instead of butter, maintaining the rich, indulgent experience.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20-25 minutes
- Category: Breakfast, Snacks, Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Indian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 12
- Calories: 273
- Sugar: 16 g
- Sodium: 150 mg
- Fat: 9 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 40 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 33 mg