French Vanilla Chai Cinnamon Rolls
Let’s get cozy and bake some French Vanilla Chai Cinnamon Rolls if you love to add warming spices of chai and French vanilla to your treats. This takes the classic comfort of cinnamon rolls to a whole new level by combining the richness of cinnamon, cardamom and clove with the creamy luxury of French vanilla.
The dough is soft and fluffy so the perfect base for the spicy sweet filling and the smooth French vanilla glaze on top. Whether it’s a special breakfast, a brunch showstopper or a sweet treat to enjoy with your afternoon tea these cinnamon rolls will deliver comfort and happiness in every bite.
Ingredients
For the Dough:
- 1 cup warm milk (110°F)
- 2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast (1 packet)
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/3 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 2 large eggs, room temp
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 4 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
For the Filling:
- 1 cup brown sugar, packed
- 3 tablespoons ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cardamom
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1/3 cup unsalted butter, softened
For the French Vanilla Glaze
- 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 2 tablespoons French vanilla creamer
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
French Vanilla Chai Cinnamon Rolls
- In a large bowl, combine yeast and warm milk. Add sugar, melted butter, eggs, salt and half the flour. Mix until smooth. Add remaining flour to form a soft dough.
- Turn the dough onto a floured surface and knead until smooth and elastic, about 6-8 minutes. Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled in size, about 1 hour.
- Punch down the dough and turn onto a floured surface. Roll into a 16×21-inch rectangle. Spread the softened butter over the dough. Mix the brown sugar, cinnamon, cardamom and cloves together and sprinkle over the buttered dough.
- Starting with the longer side, roll the dough tightly and cut into 12 rolls. Place the rolls in a greased 9×13 inch baking pan. Cover and let rise until nearly doubled, about 30 minutes.
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake the rolls for about 25-30 minutes or until golden brown.
- While the rolls are baking, make the glaze by mixing the powdered sugar, melted butter, French vanilla creamer and vanilla extract until smooth.
- Remove the rolls from the oven and while still warm, drizzle with the French vanilla glaze. Serve warm and enjoy the French Vanilla Chai Cinnamon Rolls.
Tips
Choosing the Right Ingredients: The quality of your ingredients matters. For the flour, use a high quality all-purpose flour that will give your cinnamon rolls structure. Fresh spices for the filling (ground cinnamon, cardamom and cloves) will make a big difference in the chai flavor. Fresh yeast and high fat content milk will give your dough better texture and flavor.
Dough Consistency: Getting the right dough consistency is important. The dough should be soft, slightly sticky but still manageable. If it’s too sticky add flour one tablespoon at a time. If too dry a little warm milk will help. Knead the dough enough to develop the gluten which will give your rolls soft and fluffy texture.
Proofing: This is where the magic happens. Make sure your dough is in a warm, draft free area of your kitchen. The dough should double in size which can take about 1 hour. But don’t rush this process. Yeast works at its own pace and longer proofing time can develop more flavors.
Rolling and Filling: When rolling the dough, try to roll it evenly so it bakes uniformly. Spread the filling generously but leave a small border around the edges so it doesn’t spill over. Rolling the dough tightly will keep the filling inside and create beautiful swirls.
Serve
Warm and Cozy Breakfast: There’s nothing like a warm cinnamon roll on a cold morning. Serve these French Vanilla Chai Cinnamon Rolls fresh out of the oven with some fresh fruit or a cup of coffee for breakfast.
Brunch Highlight: Add these to your brunch spread and they will be the star of the show. They go well with savory dishes like omelets or bacon and balance out the meal with their sweet and spicy flavor.
Afternoon Tea Companion: These cinnamon rolls are perfect to go with a cup of tea, especially in the afternoon when you need a little boost. The spices in the rolls go well with black tea.
Dessert Option: Although not a traditional dessert, you can serve these as a sweet ending to a meal when you want something comforting and homemade. Serve with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for extra indulgence.
Storage
Room Temperature Storage: If you plan to consume the cinnamon rolls within a day or two, you can store them at room temperature. Make sure they are covered tightly with plastic wrap or foil to prevent them from drying out.
Refrigeration: For longer storage, refrigerate your cinnamon rolls. They can last up to 5 days if stored properly in an airtight container. This will keep them moist and fresh.
Freezing: These cinnamon rolls freeze well. Wrap them individually in plastic wrap and then place them in a freezer safe bag or container. They can be frozen for up to 3 months. To serve, thaw at room temperature or warm them gently in the oven or microwave.
Reheating: To get that fresh from the oven flavor, lightly cover a cinnamon roll with foil and bake in a preheated oven at 350°F for about 10 minutes. If using a microwave, cover the roll with a damp paper towel and heat on high for 20-30 seconds. Be careful not to overheat as this can dry them out.
FAQs
Can I use instant yeast instead of active dry yeast?: Yes, instant yeast can be used in place of active dry yeast. The conversion is 1:1 and you don’t need to dissolve it in warm milk first. Just mix it with your dry ingredients.
What if I don’t have French vanilla creamer?: If you don’t have French vanilla creamer, you can substitute it with an equal amount of heavy cream or milk and add an extra 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla extract for extra vanilla flavor.
Can I make these vegan?: To make these rolls vegan, substitute the milk with a plant-based milk, use vegan butter and replace the eggs with flax eggs or your preferred egg substitute. Make sure your sugar is vegan as well.
How do I know if my yeast is active?: To test yeast viability, dissolve it in warm milk with a pinch of sugar. If it becomes foamy and bubbly within 10 minutes, your yeast is active and ready to use. If there’s no activity, the yeast may be old and should be replaced.
Can I make the cinnamon rolls the night before?: Yes, you can make the rolls up to the second rise and then cover and refrigerate them overnight. The next morning, let them come to room temperature and then complete the second rise before baking.
French Vanilla Chai Cinnamon Rolls
Ingredients
For the Dough:
- 1 cup warm milk about 110°F
- 2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast 1 packet
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/3 cup unsalted butter melted
- 2 large eggs room temperature
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 4 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
For the Filling:
- 1 cup brown sugar packed
- 3 tablespoons ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cardamom
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1/3 cup unsalted butter softened
For the French Vanilla Glaze:
- 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar sifted
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter melted
- 2 tablespoons French vanilla creamer
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- In a large bowl, dissolve the yeast in warm milk. Add sugar, melted butter, eggs, salt, and half of the flour. Mix until smooth. Gradually add the remaining flour to form a soft dough.
- Turn the dough onto a floured surface and knead until smooth and elastic, about 6-8 minutes. Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover, and let rise in a warm place until doubled in size, about 1 hour.
- Punch down the dough and turn it onto a floured surface. Roll it into a 16×21-inch rectangle. Spread the softened butter over the dough. Mix the brown sugar, cinnamon, cardamom, and cloves together, and sprinkle over the buttered dough.
- Starting with the longer side, roll the dough tightly and cut into 12 rolls. Place the rolls in a greased 9×13 inch baking pan. Cover and let rise until nearly doubled, about 30 minutes.
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake the rolls for about 25-30 minutes, or until golden brown.
- While the rolls bake, make the glaze by mixing the powdered sugar, melted butter, French vanilla creamer, and vanilla extract until smooth.
- Remove the rolls from the oven and while still warm, drizzle them with the French vanilla glaze. Serve warm and enjoy the comforting embrace of French Vanilla Chai Cinnamon Rolls.