Chai Spiced Cinnamon Rolls Recipe

The Heart of the Kitchen

My kitchen is my favorite room. It is always warm and smells good. Today, it smells like chai spices and sweet dough. I am making my special cinnamon rolls.

I changed the recipe a little. I added all the cozy spices from my chai tea. Doesn’t that smell amazing? It makes the whole house feel like a hug. What is your favorite kitchen smell? Tell me, I would love to know.

A Little Story About Spices

I learned to love these spices from my friend Anika. She taught me how to make real chai. We would talk for hours. I still laugh at that.

I wanted that same warm feeling in a breakfast treat. So I mixed them into my rolls. *Fun fact: Cardamom is often called the “queen of spices.”* It is sweet and a little peppery. This matters because food is about sharing. It connects us to people and places.

Making the Dough With Love

The dough is simple. You mix flour, yeast, and a pinch of salt. Then you add the warm milk and eggs. The melted butter makes it rich.

Kneading is the best part. You push and fold the dough for ten minutes. It becomes soft and smooth under your hands. This matters because your hands learn the feel of good bread. Do you like kneading dough, or do you find it tricky?

The Magic of the Filling

While the dough rests, make the filling. Soft butter and brown sugar are the base. Then you stir in all those wonderful chai spices.

You roll the dough into a big rectangle. Then you spread the spiced sugar all over it. Every inch gets covered. It looks like a sandy, spice-covered beach. I always sneak a little taste. It is so good.

The Best Part: Frosting!

The frosting is cream cheese and butter. You make it fluffy with powdered sugar. Then you add the chai spices again. This ties everything together.

Spread it on the warm rolls right from the oven. Watch it melt into all the little swirls. The first bite is pure joy. Sweet, spicy, and so soft. What is your favorite frosting? Is it cream cheese, vanilla, or something else?

Ingredients:

Ingredient	Amount	Notes
all-purpose flour	4 cups (500g)
granulated sugar	½ cup (100g)
active dry yeast	2¼ teaspoons (1 packet)
salt	1 teaspoon
warm milk	1 cup (240ml)	110°F/43°C
unsalted butter, melted	½ cup (113g)
large eggs	2	at room temperature
ground cinnamon	1½ teaspoons	For Spice Mix
ground cardamom	1 teaspoon	For Spice Mix
ground ginger	½ teaspoon	For Spice Mix
ground allspice	½ teaspoon	For Spice Mix
ground cloves	½ teaspoon	For Spice Mix
ground nutmeg	½ teaspoon	For Spice Mix
unsalted butter, softened	½ cup (113g)	For Filling
packed light brown sugar	1 cup (200g)	For Filling
Chai spice mix	All from above	For Filling
cream cheese, softened	8 oz (226g)	For Frosting
unsalted butter, softened	½ cup (113g)	For Frosting
powdered sugar	2 cups (240g)	For Frosting
vanilla extract	1 teaspoon	For Frosting
ground cinnamon	1 teaspoon	For Frosting
ground cardamom	½ teaspoon	For Frosting
ground ginger	¼ teaspoon	For Frosting
ground allspice	¼ teaspoon	For Frosting
ground cloves	¼ teaspoon	For Frosting
ground nutmeg	¼ teaspoon	For Frosting

Let’s Make Chai Spiced Cinnamon Rolls

Hello, my dear! It’s Chloe. Come sit at the table. I want to share my chai cinnamon roll recipe. It’s like a hug in a pan. The kitchen will smell like a cozy spice market. Doesn’t that sound wonderful? Let’s begin.

Step 1: First, we make the dough. Whisk your flour, sugar, yeast, and salt in a big bowl. Now, pour in the warm milk, melted butter, and eggs. Mix it all until it comes together. It will be a bit messy, and that’s okay. My grandson always licks the spoon here. (Hard-learned tip: Make sure your milk is just warm, not hot. Hot milk will upset the yeast!)

Step 2: Time to knead! Sprinkle some flour on your counter. Push and fold the dough for about 10 minutes. You’ll feel it become smooth and springy. I still laugh at my first time. My dough stuck to everything! Put the dough in a greased bowl, cover it, and let it rest. It needs to double in size. This takes about an hour.

Step 3: While we wait, make the magic. Mix all those beautiful chai spices together. Cinnamon, cardamom, ginger—all of them. In another bowl, mix soft butter and brown sugar with your spices. This filling is the secret. It smells like a sweet, spiced dream. Which chai spice is your favorite? Share below!

Step 4: Your dough is big and puffy now! Gently press the air out. Roll it into a big rectangle on a floured surface. Spread the spiced butter all over it, right to the edges. Now, roll it up tightly, like a cozy rug. Use a sharp knife to cut it into 12 pieces.

Step 5: Place your swirls in a greased pan. Let them get puffy again for 30 minutes. Heat your oven to 350°F. Bake them until they’re golden brown, about 25 minutes. Your whole house will smell amazing. Let them cool just a bit while you make the frosting.

Step 6: For the frosting, beat the cream cheese and butter until smooth. Add the powdered sugar and those chai spices again. Mix until it’s fluffy. Now, slather it all over the warm rolls. Watch it melt into every nook. This is the best part.

Cook Time: 25–30 minutes
Total Time: About 2 hours 30 minutes (with rising)
Yield: 12 delicious rolls
Category: Baking, Breakfast

Three Fun Twists to Try

Once you master the classic, try a little twist! It’s so fun. Here are three of my favorites. They make the recipe feel new again.

The Apple Pie Roll: Sprinkle finely chopped apples over the spiced filling before you roll.

The Chocolate Chai Dream: Add a handful of chocolate chips on top of the filling. A sweet surprise in every bite.

The Orange Zest Zing: Add a tablespoon of orange zest to the frosting. It’s bright and cheerful.

Which one would you try first? Comment below!

Serving Your Sweet Masterpiece

These rolls are perfect all on their own. But sometimes, I like to make it special. For a real treat, serve a warm roll with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. The cold and warm mix is heavenly. Or, add a sprinkle of toasted pecans on top for a little crunch.

What to drink? A cold glass of milk is always my go-to. It’s classic. For the grown-ups, a hot cup of coffee or a creamy chai latte pairs beautifully. The spices dance together. Which would you choose tonight?

Keeping Your Chai Rolls Cozy

Fresh cinnamon rolls are a special treat. But you can save some for later. Let them cool completely first. Then wrap each roll tightly in plastic wrap.

Pop the wrapped rolls into a freezer bag. They will keep for a month. To reheat, let a roll thaw on the counter. Then warm it in the microwave for 20 seconds.

I once froze a whole pan for my grandson’s visit. He said they tasted just-baked! This matters because good food should bring joy more than once. Have you ever tried storing it this way? Share below!

Rolling Out the Troubles

Sometimes the dough is too sticky. Just add a little more flour, one spoon at a time. Knead it until it feels soft, not tacky.

If your rolls didn’t rise, your yeast might be old. Test it in warm milk with a pinch of sugar. It should get foamy in ten minutes. I remember when my first batch stayed flat. I learned to always check my yeast!

Another issue is a dry filling. Make sure your butter is very soft. This helps it spread easily and stay creamy. Getting this right builds your confidence. It also makes every bite flavorful and sweet. Which of these problems have you run into before?

Your Chai Roll Questions, Answered

Q: Can I make these gluten-free? A: Yes! Use a good gluten-free flour blend made for baking.

Q: Can I make the dough ahead? A: Absolutely. After the first rise, put the dough in the fridge overnight.

Q: What if I’m missing a spice? A: Just use extra cinnamon. The rolls will still be delicious.

Q: Can I make a smaller batch? A: You can cut all the ingredients in half. Use a smaller baking dish.

Q: Any optional tips? A: Add a handful of raisins to the filling for a sweet surprise. *Fun fact: Cardamom is often called the “queen of spices.”* Which tip will you try first?

From My Kitchen to Yours

I hope your kitchen smells wonderful. I hope you feel proud of what you made. Sharing food is one of life’s greatest joys.

I would love to see your beautiful rolls. Have you tried this recipe? Tag us on Pinterest at @ChloesCozyKitchen. It makes my day to see your creations.

Thank you for baking with me today. Happy cooking! —Chloe Hartwell.