Start your day with our Chai Spice Cinnamon Rolls! Bursting with the warm, aromatic spices of chai and the classic sweetness of cinnamon, these nut-free and egg-free rolls are perfect for breakfast or dessert—either way, they're sure to become your next favorite!
Looking for other beginner-friendly bread recipes like this? Bake my Vegan Cinnamon Raisin Bread, Addicting Filipino Ensaymada Recipe, and Easiest Ever Cinnamon Roll Bites.
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Health Benefits of Chai
- Strengthens the immune system.
- Improves digestion and reduces nausea.
- Reduces inflammation.
- Fights free radicals.
- Lowers blood pressure and cholesterol.
- Provides a natural energy boost.
Substitutions
- If you don't have all the spices on hand, you can use a store-bought chai spice mix.
- For a richer flavor, use whole milk instead of low-fat milk.
- For a vegan version, substitute the butter with a plant-based alternative and use a non-dairy milk.
Variations
- Add a teaspoon of vanilla extract to the dough for a richer flavor.
- Combine powdered sugar with a little milk or cream cheese and drizzle over the rolls.
Storage
- If you have any leftover Chai Spice Cinnamon Rolls, store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. For longer storage, you can refrigerate them for up to a week or freeze them for up to a month.
- To reheat, simply warm them in the microwave for a few seconds or in a preheated oven at 350°F for about 10 minutes.
Ingredients
Listed below are all the ingredients you will need:
Dough:
- instant yeast
- all-purpose flour
- light brown sugar
- unsalted butter, softened
- whole milk, warmed
- coarse salt
Filling:
- unsalted butter, softened
- ground cardamom
- ground cinnamon
- ground ginger
- ground nutmeg
- ground cloves
- packed light brown sugar
Pan Sauce:
- unsalted butter
- heavy cream
- packed light brown sugar
See recipe card for quantities.
Instructions
Prepare the dough:
In a large bowl, combine the flour, yeast, ½ teaspoon salt, and 1 tbsp/13g brown sugar.
Add the warm milk and stir until a shaggy mass forms.
Add the 3 tbsp/45g butter in small cubes and mix to completely combine, using your hands as needed to help work the butter in.
Knead for 5-7 minutes on a lightly floured surface until the dough is smooth and stretchy.
Place the ball in an oiled bowl and cover with plastic wrap or a damp towel. Place in a warm place and allow to rise until doubled in size, about 1 hour.
Prepare the pan sauce:
Grease a 9” x 13”/22.5cm x 32.5cm baking pan. Prepare the brown sugar.
In a small saucepan, combine 3 tbsp/45g butter, 2 tbsp/30ml cream, and ½ cup/100g brown sugar over medium heat.
Pour into the base of the baking pan and spread around.
Prepare the filling:
In a small bowl, combine ½ cup/100g granulated sugar and all the spices. Stir until evenly distributed.
Assemble the rolls:
Turn out the risen dough onto a lightly floured surface. Roll into a rectangle about 12” x 16”/35cm x 50cm.
Spread 2 tbsp/30g softened butter onto surface. Sprinkle spiced sugar into an even layer over the surface, getting all the way to the edges.
Starting on a short end, roll the dough up gently but tightly. Turn the dough so the seam is underneath.
Cut dough into 12 even segments with a very sharp knife. Place them in the prepared baking dish so that they are evenly spaced.
Cover with plastic wrap or a damp cloth. Allow to rise again until doubled (about 30-45 minutes).
During the last rise, preheat the oven to 350°F.
Once risen, remove the plastic and bake for 25-30 minutes until just starting to go golden brown on top.
Remove from the oven and cool for 15 to 20 minutes before serving.
⭐ Top Tips
Make sure the milk is warm, not hot, to help the yeast activate properly. Milk should be at 100° F-115° F/37-45 C for best results. Cold milk works but it will take longer to rise.
FAQ
Chai Spice Cinnamon Rolls
Ingredients
Dough:
- 2 ¼ teaspoons / 7g instant yeast
- 3 cups / 360g all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon / 13g light brown sugar
- 3 tablespoons / 45g unsalted butter softened
- 1 cup / 235ml whole milk warmed
- ½ teaspoon / 3g coarse salt
Filling:
- 2 tablespoons / 30g unsalted butter softened
- 1 ½ teaspoons / 3g ground cardamom
- 1 ¼ teaspoons / 3g ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon / 2g ground ginger
- ½ teaspoon / 1g ground nutmeg
- ½ teaspoon / 1g ground cloves
- ½ cup / 10g packed light brown sugar
Pan Sauce:
- 3 tablespoons / 45g unsalted butter
- 2 tablespoons / 30ml heavy cream
- ½ cup / 100g packed light brown sugar
Instructions
Prepare the dough:
- In a large bowl, combine the flour, yeast, salt, and 1 tbsp/13g brown sugar. Add the warm milk and stir until a shaggy mass forms.
- Add the 3 tbsp/45g butter in small cubes and mix to completely combine, using your hands as needed to help work the butter in.
- Knead for 5-7 minutes on a lightly floured surface until the dough is smooth and stretchy.
- Place the ball in an oiled bowl and cover with plastic wrap or a damp towel. Place in a warm place and allow to rise until doubled in size, about 1 hour.*
Prepare the pan sauce:
- Grease a 9” x 13”/22.5cm x 32.5cm baking pan.
- In a small saucepan, combine 3 tbsp/45g butter, 2 tbsp/30ml cream, and ½ cup/100g brown sugar over medium heat.
- Heat, stirring until all of the sugar is dissolved and the solution is syrupy and bubbling. Pour into the base of the baking pan and spread around.
Prepare the filling:
- In a small bowl, combine ½ cup/100g brown sugar and all the spices. Stir until evenly distributed.
Assemble the rolls:
- Turn out the risen dough onto a lightly floured surface. Roll into a rectangle about 12” x 16”/35cm x 50cm.
- Spread 2 tbsp/30g softened butter onto surface. Sprinkle spiced sugar into an even layer over the surface, getting all the way to the edges.
- Starting on a short end, roll the dough up gently but tightly. Turn the dough so the seam is underneath.
- Cut dough into 12 even segments with a very sharp knife. Place them in the prepared baking dish so that they are evenly spaced.
- Cover with plastic wrap or a damp cloth. Allow to rise again until doubled (about 30-45 minutes).
- During the last rise, preheat the oven to 350°F.
- Once risen, remove the plastic and bake for 25-30 minutes until just starting to go golden on top.
- Remove from the oven and cool for 15 to 20 minutes before serving.
Notes
Watch The Recipe Video!
Kach says
This was amazing, if you LOVE chai, you're going to want to try this recipe!
Marlowe Viado says
I’m really not into cinnamons, but when I looked at the recipe, I think I will love it more than ever!
Lainey says
Thank you, Marlowe! 😊 Even if you're not usually a fan of cinnamon, I'm thrilled this recipe caught your eye. It has just the right blend of flavors that might surprise you. Let me know how it turns out if you give it a try—I'd love to hear your thoughts!
Claire M says
I'm totally biased because I absolutely love anything with cinnamon! Haha This looks amazing!
Lainey says
Thank you so much, Claire! Cinnamon really does make everything better, doesn’t it? 😊 So glad you’re excited about this! Let me know if you give it a try!
SweetStyle18 says
This recipe looks delicious! I haven't been able to try it but since I love bread, I will definitely give this one a try soon!
Lainey says
Thank you so much, Sweet! 😊 I'm so glad the recipe caught your eye! If you're a bread lover, I'm sure you'll enjoy it. Let me know how it turns out when you give it a try—I’d love to hear your thoughts! 🍞 Happy baking!
Ching says
Wow. It looks pretty delicious. Thanks for sharing this recipe, Lainey! 🙂
Lainey says
Thank you so much, Ching! 😊 So glad you like it! I love sharing recipes that bring joy to the table. Let us know if you try it – we'd love to hear how it turns out!
NELL GRACE SACAY CABLINDA says
If you’re a fan of chai, these rolls will quickly become a favorite!
Lainey says
Absolutely Nell! Chai adds such a warm, cozy flavor to these rolls—it's like a hug in every bite. Perfect for fall or anytime you need a little spice in your day! 😊
Lainey says
Absolutely, Nell! Chai lovers will adore these rolls—they’re a must-try!
Maisaci says
First time I heard about chai, I thought, 'I'm gonna CHAI this!' 😅
Lainey says
😂 Love the enthusiasm! I hope you did 'CHAI' it and it was as good as you hoped! ☕️✨
Minstrel Gestopa says
These chai spice cinnamon rolls are pure cozy bliss! The warm, spiced flavors of chai blend perfectly with the gooey cinnamon, making each bite a comforting treat. Perfect with a hot cup of tea!
Lainey says
Hi Minstrel! Thank you so much! 🧡 I'm so glad you're enjoying the chai spice cinnamon rolls! There's just something magical about those cozy spices mixed with gooey cinnamon, right? And yes, pairing it with a hot cup of tea takes it to a whole new level of comfort! 😊🍵
Aira says
I absolutely loved this recipe for Chai Spice Cinnamon Rolls! The combination of warm chai spices and soft, fluffy rolls made these a hit in my kitchen. The instructions were easy to follow, and the flavors turned out perfectly balanced, not too sweet and wonderfully aromatic. I especially appreciated the tip for making the glaze—it added just the right touch. Thank you for sharing such a delicious twist on a classic recipe!
Lainey says
Hi Aira! I'm so thrilled to hear that you enjoyed the Chai Spice Cinnamon Rolls! It’s wonderful to know that the warm spices and fluffy texture were a hit in your kitchen. I’m glad the instructions were easy to follow and that the glaze tip added the perfect finishing touch. Thank you for taking the time to share your experience—it makes sharing recipes so rewarding! Happy baking, and I hope you enjoy many more cozy treats! 😊