Chai Cinnamon Rolls

OOEY GOOEY DESSERT | EASY

Everyone loves a bit of chai, right? These Sri Lankan chai cinnamon rolls take that cozy, spiced tea flavor and swirl it right into soft, gooey rolls that smell like heaven while baking. Cardamom, cinnamon, and a hint of cloves make each bite warm, fragrant, and impossible to resist.

Perfect for breakfast, brunch, or just because, these rolls are soft, comforting, and a little indulgent — the kind of treat that makes your kitchen smell like magic and your friends ask, “Can I have another?” Seriously, once you start, there’s no stopping.

Chai Cinnamon Rolls

Courses:Sweet Treat Dessert

Difficulty:IntermediateTotal time:2 hours Servings:6-7 rolls servings

Description

Sri Lankan chai–spiced cinnamon rolls infused with cardamom, cinnamon, and tea warmth—soft, aromatic, and perfect with your evening cuppa.

Ingredients

Dough:

• ¾ cup warm milk (use brewed Ceylon black tea instead for extra flavour)
• 2¼ tsp active dry yeast 
• ¼ cup sugar
• ¼ cup melted butter
• 1 egg +1 egg yolk
• 3 cups all-purpose flour 
• ½ tsp salt

Chai Spice Filling:

• ½ cup brown sugar
• 2 tsp ground cinnamon
• ½ tsp ground cardamom
• ¼ tsp ground cloves
• ¼ tsp nutmeg
• Pinch of black pepper 
• ¼ cup softened butter
• 1 tbsp  kithul treacle 

Chai Glaze:

• 3 tbsp softened cream cheese
• ½ cup icing sugar
• 1–2 tbsp strong brewed Ceylon tea or milk
• Pinch of chai spice blend

Instructions

1. Warm your milk (or brewed tea-milk mixture) to about 110°F (warm, not hot). Stir in yeast and sugar. Let it sit for 10 minutes until frothy.
2. Add melted butter and egg to the yeast mixture. Gradually add flour and salt, mixing until a soft dough forms. Knead for 6–8 minutes (by hand or mixer) until smooth and elastic.
   Place in a lightly greased bowl, cover, and let it rise for about 1 hour, or until doubled in size.
3. Mix brown sugar, cinnamon, cardamom, cloves, nutmeg, pepper, and butter into a smooth paste. Add kithul treacle.
4. Punch down the dough and roll it into a large rectangle (about 12×16 inches). Spread the filling evenly, leaving a small border around the edges.
5. Roll the dough tightly from the long edge, slice into 9–12 even pieces, and arrange them in a greased baking dish. Cover and let them rise again for 30–40 minutes until puffy.
6. Spoon some of the filling on the bottom of the baking dish. Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 22–25 minutes or until golden brown and fluffy.
7. While warm, drizzle with your chai glaze on top. Let it melt into those swirly pockets of cinnamon-y goodness.

Video

Keywords:Comfort Food, Sweet, Dessert, Baking

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