Description
These Chai Spiced Cinnamon Rolls are irresistibly soft and fluffy, filled with buttery brown sugar and warm chai spices, and topped with a luscious cream cheese icing. Perfect for cozy mornings and special holidays—with an overnight option so you can wake up to bakery-style rolls, fresh from the oven.
Ingredients
- Dough:
- 1 cup unsweetened cashew milk
- 1 packet instant yeast (2¼ teaspoons)
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted and cooled (plus more for greasing)
- 1 large egg
- 3½–4 cups bread flour, plus more for rolling
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- Filling:
- 5 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 tablespoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 tablespoon chai spice
- Icing:
- 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- Pinch of cardamom
- 1 tablespoon unsweetened cashew milk
Instructions
- Warm cashew milk in the microwave (20–30 seconds) until lukewarm (110ºF). Stir in yeast and sugar and let sit for 10 minutes until foamy.
- Whisk in melted butter and egg. Add flour 1/2 cup at a time, stirring gently. Add salt after the first cup. Dough should be soft, not sticky. Knead on floured surface with a bit more flour if needed.
- Grease a bowl, place dough inside, and cover. Let rise in a warm spot until doubled in size (about 45 minutes).
- Roll dough into a 15×9-inch rectangle on a floured surface. Spread softened butter over dough, then sprinkle evenly with brown sugar, cinnamon, and chai spice.
- Roll tightly from the long side and trim the ends. Slice into 12 rolls using floss or a serrated knife. Place in greased 9×13-inch pan. Let rise for 15 minutes.
- Preheat oven to 350ºF. Bake rolls for 20–25 minutes, then cover with foil and bake an additional 5 minutes if needed.
- While baking, beat cream cheese until fluffy. Add vanilla, powdered sugar, cardamom, and milk. Mix until smooth.
- Let rolls cool slightly, then spread icing generously over the top. Serve warm.
Notes
- Make ahead by refrigerating the cut rolls overnight and baking in the morning.
- Use dairy milk and butter if not avoiding dairy.
- Add extra chai spice to the icing for a stronger spice kick.
- Prep Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 roll
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 15g
- Sodium: 180mg
- Fat: 13g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 6g
- Cholesterol: 40mg
