Easy Chai Cinnamon Rolls with Caramel | Bakery-Style are the kind of comforting baked goods that fill your kitchen with warm, spiced aromas. Each roll features a tender, fluffy dough infused with the spices of chai, sweetened with a luscious caramel base that takes this classic treat to a whole new level. Enjoy these rolls as a delightful breakfast or a sweet afternoon snack; they are sure to impress anyone who takes a bite. Plus, they come together more easily than you might think, making them an excellent choice for weekend brunch or sharing with friends. You can create bakery-style indulgence right in your home!

Table of Contents

Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Ingredients You’ll Need
How to Make Easy Chai Cinnamon Rolls with Caramel | Bakery-Style
Storing & Reheating
Chef’s Helpful Tips
Recipe FAQs
Easy Chai Cinnamon Rolls with Caramel | Bakery-Style

The first time I made these Easy Chai Cinnamon Rolls with Caramel | Bakery-Style, I was struck by their comforting spices and soft, pillowy texture. As I rolled the dough and watched it rise, I couldn’t help but smile, knowing that soon, we would be enjoying warm, gooey cinnamon rolls that filled the air with cozy aromas. Whether you’re a cinnamon roll lover or just someone looking for a new treat to bake, these rolls offer a taste of nostalgia with an exciting twist. Get ready to embrace your inner baker and enjoy these delightful rolls!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Simple & Quick: These rolls come together in just about two hours, making them perfect for a weekend bake!
Irresistible Flavor: Infused with warm chai spices, each bite is a comforting blend of sweetness and spice balanced by that rich caramel.
Eye-Catching Appeal: Filled and drizzled with caramel, they look and smell divine, making them ideal for gatherings or special occasions.
Flexible Serving: Perfect for breakfast, brunch, or dessert—these rolls can be enjoyed anytime!
Diet-Friendly Options: For those with dietary concerns, you can easily adapt this recipe for gluten-free or dairy-free needs.

Ingredients You’ll Need

1 ⅓ cups whole milk: Warmed to about 110°F to activate the yeast effectively.
2 ½ teaspoons active dry yeast: Ensure it’s fresh and properly stored for the best rise.
1 ¼ teaspoons granulated sugar: This feeds the yeast, boosting its activation.
5 ¼ cups all-purpose flour: Spoon and level for accuracy to achieve the perfect dough texture.
1 ¾ teaspoons ground cinnamon: Use freshly ground for optimal flavor.
1 teaspoon ground ginger: Adds a warm, spicy note to the rolls.
⅓ teaspoon ground allspice: Provides depth of flavor, reminiscent of chai blends.
⅓ teaspoon ground nutmeg: Offers an aromatic and cozy character.
¾ teaspoon ground cardamom: This classic chai spice rounds out the flavor perfectly.
⅙ teaspoon ground cloves: They should be very finely ground to subtly enhance the roll’s profile.
1 ¾ teaspoons salt: Balances the sweetness and enhances flavor.
2 ½ tablespoons granulated sugar: For a hint of sweetness in the dough.
2 large eggs: Use room temperature eggs for better incorporation.
1 tablespoon vanilla extract: Pure vanilla adds depth and richness.
½ cup plus 1 tablespoon unsalted butter: Very soft but not melted for easy dough mixing.
⅓ cup heavy cream: Used for steeping the tea to infuse its flavor.
2 chai tea bags: Opt for a strongly spiced variety for the best flavor extraction.
½ cup unsalted butter: Softened for ease of spreading in the filling.
1 cup plus 2 tablespoons light brown sugar: Packed firmly, this provides the caramel’s sweetness.
Additional spices for the caramel: Including ground cinnamon, ginger, allspice, nutmeg, cardamom, and cloves to deepen its flavor.
⅓ cup honey: This adds sticky richness to the caramel.
1 ½ teaspoons vanilla extract: For sweetness and aroma in the caramel.
¼ teaspoon salt: Cuts through the caramel’s sweetness, enhancing flavor.
¼ cup heavy cream: Poured between rolls before baking for added moisture.
7 tablespoons unsalted butter: Softened fully for frosting.
7 ounces cream cheese: Softened to room temperature for smoothness.
¾ cup plus 2 tablespoons powdered sugar: Sifted if lumpy for easy mixing.
Spices for the frosting: Ground cinnamon, ginger, allspice, nutmeg, and cardamom add warmth and flavor.

How to Make Easy Chai Cinnamon Rolls with Caramel | Bakery-Style

Combine yeast mixture: In a bowl, combine 1 ⅓ cups warm whole milk, 2 ½ teaspoons active dry yeast, and 1 ¼ teaspoons granulated sugar. Let it stand until it forms a foamy layer on top, about 5-10 minutes. This step is crucial as it wakes up the yeast, ensuring your rolls are fluffy.

Mix dry ingredients: Whisk together 5 ¼ cups all-purpose flour, 1 ¾ teaspoons ground cinnamon, 1 teaspoon ground ginger, ⅓ teaspoon ground allspice, ⅓ teaspoon ground nutmeg, ¾ teaspoon ground cardamom, ⅙ teaspoon ground cloves, 1 ¾ teaspoons salt, and 2 ½ tablespoons granulated sugar in the bowl of a stand mixer until evenly distributed.

Combine wet ingredients: Add 2 beaten large eggs, 1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract, and ½ cup plus 1 tablespoon very soft unsalted butter to the dry mixture. Blend until the mixture appears shaggy, indicating that everything is starting to come together.

Knead the dough: Pour the yeast mixture into the bowl and knead the mixture with a dough hook until it becomes smooth, elastic, and pulls away from the bowl sides—this will take about 5-8 minutes.

First rise: Shape the dough into a ball, place it in a greased bowl, and cover with a clean kitchen towel. Allow it to rise until doubled in size, approximately 1 hour, depending on the warmth of your kitchen.

Infuse heavy cream: Gently warm ⅓ cup heavy cream in a saucepan and steep 2 chai tea bags in it for about 5 minutes. Remove the tea bags and let the cream cool down.

Prepare caramel mixture: In a medium bowl, mix together ½ cup unsalted butter, 1 cup plus 2 tablespoons packed light brown sugar, 1 ¾ teaspoons ground cinnamon, 1 teaspoon ground ginger, ⅓ teaspoon ground allspice, ⅓ teaspoon ground nutmeg, 1 teaspoon ground cardamom, ⅙ teaspoon ground cloves, ⅓ cup honey, 1 ½ teaspoons vanilla extract, and ¼ teaspoon salt until smooth. Stir in the cooled chai-infused cream to achieve a creamy consistency.

Spread caramel in the dish: Pour the caramel mixture evenly in the bottom of a greased 9×13 inch baking dish—this will create a delicious gooey layer when the rolls bake.

Prepare the filling: In a separate bowl, stir together ½ cup softened unsalted butter, 1 cup plus 2 tablespoons packed light brown sugar, 1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon, 1 ½ teaspoons ground ginger, ½ teaspoon ground allspice, ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg, 1 teaspoon ground cardamom, and ¼ teaspoon salt until well combined and spreadable.

Roll out the dough: Once the dough has risen, turn it out onto a floured surface and roll it into a large rectangle, about 12 x 18 inches in size, ensuring an even thickness.

Add the filling: Spread the chai filling evenly over the dough surface, leaving a small border around the edges to make rolling easier.

Roll and slice: Starting on one long side, tightly roll the dough into a log. Once rolled, slice the log into even pieces, about 1-1½ inches thick. You should get around 14 rolls; nestle them into the prepared caramel sauce in the baking dish.

Second rise: Gently pour ¼ cup heavy cream between the rolls and cover the dish. Let rise again until puffy, about 30-45 minutes.

Bake: Preheat the oven to 350°F. Bake the rolls until puffed and golden brown, approximately 25-30 minutes. The rolls are done when they’re golden and bubbly around the edges.

Make the frosting: While the rolls are baking, beat together 7 tablespoons softened unsalted butter and 7 ounces cream cheese until light and fluffy. Gradually blend in ¾ cup plus 2 tablespoons sifted powdered sugar, 1 ½ teaspoons vanilla extract, and a pinch of cinnamon, ginger, allspice, nutmeg, cardamom, and cloves for added flavor.

Frost the rolls: Allow the rolls to cool for about 10 minutes after baking. Once slightly cooled, spread the frosting generously over the warm tops. Let the frosting melt into the warm rolls for an indulgent finish.

Storing & Reheating

Store any leftover rolls at room temperature in an airtight container for up to 2 days for the best texture. If you need them to last longer, refrigerate them for up to 1 week. You can also freeze them for up to 3 months, wrapping each roll tightly in plastic wrap and then placing them in a freezer-safe bag. To reheat, pop them in a 350°F oven for about 10-15 minutes until warmed through. Expect a slight change in texture when reheating, but adding a bit of frosting upon serving can refresh their sweetness!

Chef’s Helpful Tips

Avoid over-kneading the dough, as it can become tough. Knead until smooth and elastic.
Make sure your butter is soft enough to easily spread but not melted to maintain the filling texture.
If your kitchen is cold, place the dough in a slightly warmed oven (turned off) to help it rise more effectively.
For a richer flavor, consider using dark brown sugar instead of light in the filling and frosting.
Feel free to experiment with other spices that resonate with your taste and favorite chai blends.
These rolls can be made ahead of time; simply prep up to the second rise, refrigerate overnight, and bake fresh the next day.

Indulging in these Easy Chai Cinnamon Rolls with Caramel | Bakery-Style is a delightful experience that merges warmth, comfort, and unforgettable flavor. They capture the essence of a cozy morning or a sweet afternoon treat, perfect for sharing with loved ones. Enjoy baking, and don’t shy away from trying your variations. Each batch brings a new opportunity for creativity and deliciousness that everyone will adore!

Recipe FAQs

Can I make the dough ahead of time?

Absolutely! You can prepare the dough up until the first rise and then refrigerate it. Punch it down, let it come to room temperature, and proceed with shaping, filling, and baking the next day.

How do I adjust the spices?

Feel free to experiment with the spices according to your preference! You could increase or decrease the amount of ginger or even add a hint of cardamom for extra chai flavor.

What can I use instead of cream cheese in the frosting?

If you’re looking for a lighter option or dairy-free alternative, you can use a vegan cream cheese substitute or whipped coconut cream blended with powdered sugar for a different yet delightful frosting.

Why did my rolls not rise properly?

If your rolls didn’t rise well, it may be due to expired yeast or insufficient warmth during the rise. Make sure your yeast is fresh and your environment is warm. If it’s cold, consider using an oven with the light on to create a cozy atmosphere for rising.