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Chai Cinnamon Rolls That’ll Make Your Kitchen Smell Like a Cozy Coffee Shop

Plated chai cinnamon roll with espresso icing and coffee cup background

Soft, fluffy chai-spiced cinnamon rolls filled with warm spices and topped with a smooth espresso icing for the perfect sweet breakfast or brunch treat.

Ingredients

  • 1 cup warm whole milk (110° to 115°)
  • 1-1/2 teaspoons active dry yeast
  • 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
  • 3 tablespoons sugar
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 2 large eggs, room temperature
  • 2 to 2-1/3 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1-3/4 cups bread flour
  • Filling:
  • 1/4 cup sugar
  • 1/4 cup packed dark brown sugar
  • 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
  • 1-1/4 teaspoons ground cardamom
  • 1-1/4 teaspoons ground ginger
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
  • Espresso Icing:
  • 1 tablespoon whole milk
  • 1 tablespoon brewed strong espresso
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1-3/4 cups confectioners’ sugar

Instructions

  1. In a small bowl, dissolve yeast in warm milk with a pinch of sugar. In a large bowl, combine butter, sugar, salt, and yeast mixture. Add eggs and flours; beat on medium speed until smooth and slightly tacky.
  2. Place in a greased bowl, turning once to grease the top. Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 1 hour.
  3. For the filling, combine the sugar, brown sugar, cinnamon, cardamom, ginger, cloves, nutmeg, and salt until well mixed.
  4. On a lightly floured surface, roll the dough into a 15×12-inch rectangle. Brush with 2 tablespoons melted butter to within 1/2-inch of edges; sprinkle with sugar mixture. Drizzle with remaining 2 tablespoons melted butter. Roll up jelly-roll style, starting with a long side; pinch seam to seal. Cut into 12 slices.
  5. Place rolls in a greased 13×9-inch baking pan, cut side down. Cover with a kitchen towel; let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 1 hour.
  6. Preheat oven to 350°F. Bake until golden brown, 30-33 minutes. Let cool slightly for 15 minutes.
  7. Meanwhile, whisk together icing ingredients until smooth. Drizzle over the warm rolls before serving.

Notes

  • Make sure milk is warm, not hot, to activate the yeast properly.
  • You can prepare the rolls the night before, refrigerate, and bake in the morning.
  • Adjust spice blend to taste—more cinnamon for warmth, or extra cardamom for a stronger chai flavor.

Find it online: https://fiteatshub.com/chai-cinnamon-rolls-recipe/