Imagine your favorite cinnamon rolls, now transform them into a cozy, fragrant treat with a swirl of warming spices — that’s the magic of Chai Cinnamon Rolls. This recipe not only delivers cloud-like dough and gooey centers, but also laces every bite with the aromatic flavors of cinnamon, ginger, cardamom, and more. Every component, from the soft, yeasted dough to the spiced cream cheese icing, comes together to create an unforgettable indulgence — perfect for breakfast, brunch, or an afternoon pick-me-up.

Chai Cinnamon Rolls Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

These Chai Cinnamon Rolls rely on simple yet crucial ingredients, each playing a distinct role in building the pillowy texture and deep, comforting flavors. A few clever additions — like the homemade chai spice blend — elevate this classic bake into something truly special.

Chai Spice Mix: A blend of cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, cardamom, cloves, and allspice adds that signature warmth and complexity you crave in chai-inspired treats.
Warm Whole Milk: The base for a soft, enriched dough; make sure it’s warm (not hot) to awaken the yeast and yield an ultra-tender bite.
Neutral Oil (such as avocado oil): Keeps the dough moist without overpowering the delicate spice profile.
Granulated Sugar: Adds essential sweetness, perfectly balancing all those earthy spices.
Active Dry Yeast: The leavening powerhouse that gives your rolls their signature fluff and lift.
All-Purpose Flour: A classic choice for a dough that’s both sturdy and supple.
Kosher Salt: Don’t skip it — just a touch awakens all the other flavors.
Baking Soda and Baking Powder: An unusual pair in yeasted dough, but together they boost the lightness and softness of each roll.
Unsalted Butter (for filling): Melted and spread over the dough, it helps the sugar and spice mixture meld into pure gooey goodness.
Light Brown Sugar (for filling): Adds a hint of molasses flavor and lots of sticky caramelized texture.
Cream Cheese (for frosting): A tangy counterpoint to the sweetness, making the frosting creamy and rich.
Powdered Sugar: Gives the frosting a classic, fluffy finish that melts into the warm rolls.
Heavy Cream: Helps loosen up the frosting for a perfectly spreadable consistency.
Vanilla Extract: Deepens all the other flavors — a must-have in almost any bake.

How to Make Chai Cinnamon Rolls

Step 1: Make the Chai Spice Mix

In a small bowl, combine the ground cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, cardamom, cloves, and allspice — your kitchen will start to smell amazing already. Mixing your own chai spices ensures the freshest, most vibrant flavor, and you can tweak the quantities to suit your personal preference.

Step 2: Prepare the Dough

Gently warm the milk, oil, and sugar in a saucepan just until the sugar dissolves; set aside to cool to a comfortable, just-warm temperature. Sprinkle the yeast over the surface, let it sit a few minutes, and watch for that creamy foam to develop — a sure sign your yeast is ready. Stir in most of the flour, cover, and let the dough rise until puffy and doubled in size, about an hour.

Step 3: Enrich and Spice the Dough

After that first rise, punch down the dough to release the air, then add your remaining flour, kosher salt, baking soda, baking powder, and a spoonful of the chai spice mix. This clever step folds the chai flavor right into the dough itself, guaranteeing you get that aromatic hit in every bite.

Step 4: Shape and Fill

Roll your dough into a large rectangle about 1/4-inch thick — a lightly floured surface and gentle hands work best here. Brush with melted butter, then shower on the filling: granulated sugar, brown sugar, and plenty of that homemade chai spice mix, all tumbled together until evenly distributed. Roll up tightly from the long side, then slice into thick, tantalizing spirals.

Step 5: Rise and Bake

Nestle the rolls snugly in a greased 9×13 baking dish, cover, and let them rise until pillowy and soft, about 30 minutes. Bake at 350°F until golden on top and just set in the center, typically 25 to 30 minutes. They’ll fill your kitchen with a sweet, spiced aroma that’s almost impossible to resist.

Step 6: Whip Up the Chai Cream Cheese Frosting

While the rolls bake, beat together cream cheese and butter until velvety-smooth. Add powdered sugar, cream, vanilla, and a final sprinkling of chai spice for good measure. Whip until light and fluffy — this luscious frosting is the crowning glory of your Chai Cinnamon Rolls.

Step 7: Frost and Enjoy

Spread the frosting over the warm rolls as soon as they emerge from the oven. Let it melt into every swirl and soak into the nooks and crannies. Serve right away and savor the cozy comfort that only freshly-baked Chai Cinnamon Rolls can deliver.

How to Serve Chai Cinnamon Rolls

Garnishes

A finishing touch of garnishes elevates these rolls even further. Try a light dusting of extra chai spice mix, a sprinkle of chopped toasted pecans, or fresh orange zest to add a burst of color and fragrance. If you’re a fan of texture, a scattering of crystallized ginger is beautifully aromatic with these spiced spirals.

Side Dishes

Pair your Chai Cinnamon Rolls with a creamy latte, a glass of spiced chai, or a pitcher of cold brew coffee for a dreamy brunch. For something more substantial, consider fresh fruit, a spinach and feta omelet, or crispy hash browns as the perfect savory counterpoint.

Creative Ways to Present

For a dramatic bakery-style presentation, serve the rolls in a cast-iron skillet, or stack them high on a pretty cake stand. Mini versions are adorable for brunch buffets or potlucks. Another showstopper: drizzle warm rolls with extra chai glaze just before serving, or serve with individual dipping bowls of icing for a fun twist.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

If you find yourself with extra Chai Cinnamon Rolls, simply cover the baking dish tightly or transfer to an airtight container. They’ll stay wonderfully soft and flavorful stored at room temperature for up to two days, or you can pop them in the fridge for up to four or five days.

Freezing

To freeze, wrap the unfrosted rolls individually in plastic wrap, then stash them in a freezer bag for up to three months. When a craving hits, thaw the rolls overnight in the refrigerator or at room temperature, then frost fresh after reheating for the best texture.

Reheating

Rewarm Chai Cinnamon Rolls in a preheated 325°F oven for about 10 minutes, or zap a single roll for 20 to 30 seconds in the microwave. To keep the frosting creamy, add it after reheating if possible. A quick reheat brings back the gooey, pillowy magic every time!

FAQs

How do I know when my dough has risen enough?

The dough should double in size and look puffy, with visible bubbles. If you gently press a finger into the dough, the indentation should slowly spring back. In a warm kitchen, this usually takes about an hour.

Can I substitute non-dairy ingredients?

Absolutely! Try using a favorite plant-based milk and non-dairy butter for equally soft and flavorful rolls. Vegan cream cheese and coconut cream work beautifully in the frosting, too.

Can I make these rolls ahead of time?

Yes! You can assemble the rolls, cover, and refrigerate overnight after cutting and placing them in the baking dish. The next morning, let them come to room temperature and rise before baking as directed.

Is there a way to make these less sweet?

Definitely — reduce the sugar in the dough and filling by a few tablespoons, and use less powdered sugar in the frosting. The chai spices are so flavor-packed, the rolls will still taste incredible.

What’s the best way to slice the rolls cleanly?

A piece of unflavored dental floss or thread works wonders for this — slide it under the rolled dough, cross the ends over the top, and pull tight for clean, tidy spirals without squashing your beautiful dough.

Final Thoughts

If you’re looking to fill your kitchen with warmth and spice, these Chai Cinnamon Rolls are guaranteed to become a favorite. Their fluffy texture, rich chai swirl, and creamy frosting make every bite feel like a cozy hug. Don’t wait for a special occasion — give them a try and treat yourself and your loved ones to unforgettable comfort and flavor!

Chai Cinnamon Rolls Recipe

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4.7 from 16 reviews

Author: admin
Total Time: 1 hour 25 minutes
Yield: 12 rolls 1x
Diet: Vegetarian

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Description

Indulge in the aromatic and spiced goodness of Chai Cinnamon Rolls. These delightful rolls are infused with a chai spice mix, filled with a buttery, chai-spiced sugar filling, and topped with a luscious chai cream cheese frosting.

Ingredients

Scale

Chai Spice Mix:

1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
1 tablespoon ground ginger
2 teaspoons ground nutmeg
1 teaspoon ground cardamom
1 teaspoon ground cloves
1 teaspoon ground allspice

Dough:

2 cups warm whole milk
1/2 cup neutral oil (such as avocado oil)
1/2 cup granulated sugar
2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast
4 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon chai spice mix

Filling:

1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup light brown sugar
2 tablespoons chai spice mix

Frosting:

4 oz cream cheese, softened
2 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
1–1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
1 tablespoon heavy cream
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon chai spice mix

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Instructions

In a saucepan, warm milk, oil, and sugar until sugar dissolves; let cool until just warm.

Sprinkle yeast over the top and let sit 5 minutes until foamy. Stir in 4 cups of flour to make a soft dough. Cover and let rise 1 hour.

Punch down dough and mix in remaining flour, salt, baking soda, baking powder, and chai spice mix.

Roll dough into a rectangle about 1/4-inch thick. Spread melted butter evenly over dough, then sprinkle evenly with both sugars mixed with chai spice. Roll up tightly from the long side and slice into 12 equal rolls. Place in a greased 9×13-inch baking dish.

Cover and let rise 30 minutes.
Preheat oven to 350°F and bake 25–30 minutes until golden.
For frosting, beat cream cheese and butter until smooth. Add powdered sugar, cream, vanilla, and chai spice; beat until fluffy. Spread over warm rolls.

Notes

Infusing chai spice into the dough, filling, and frosting ensures a deeply aromatic flavor.
Rolls are best served warm but can be stored covered at room temperature for up to 2 days or refrigerated for 4–5 days.

Prep Time: 1 hour
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Category: Breakfast, Brunch
Method: Baking, Yeast Dough
Cuisine: American