Let’s dive into a cozy and aromatic baking journey with French Vanilla Chai Cinnamon Rolls, perfect for those who love to infuse their treats with the warming spices of chai and the delicate sweetness of French vanilla. This recipe takes the classic comfort of cinnamon rolls to a whole new level, blending the rich flavors of cinnamon, cardamom, and clove with the creamy, luxurious essence of French vanilla.

The dough is soft and fluffy, providing the perfect canvas for the spicy-sweet filling and the lusciously smooth French vanilla glaze on top. Whether it’s a special breakfast, a brunch highlight, or a sweet treat to enjoy with your afternoon tea, these cinnamon rolls promise to deliver comfort and joy in every bite.

Ingredients Needed for This Recipe

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 for Making French Vanilla Chai Cinnamon Rolls

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.

Tips for Perfecting the Recipe

Choosing the Right Ingredients: The quality of your ingredients can make a significant difference in baking. For the flour, opt for a high-quality all-purpose flour that provides a good structure to your cinnamon rolls. Using fresh spices for the filling, like ground cinnamon, cardamom, and cloves, will enhance the chai flavor significantly. Fresh yeast and high-fat content milk will improve the dough’s texture and flavor.

Dough Consistency: Achieving the perfect dough consistency is key. 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 can help. Kneading the dough enough is crucial for developing gluten, which gives the rolls their soft, fluffy texture.

Proofing the Dough: Proofing is when the magic happens. Ensure your dough is placed in a warm, draft-free area in your kitchen. The dough should ideally double in size, which can take about 1 hour. However, don’t rush this process. Yeast works at its own pace, and longer proofing times can develop more flavors.

Rolling and Filling: When rolling the dough, aim for an even thickness to ensure uniform baking. Spread the filling generously but leave a small border around the edges to prevent spillage. Rolling the dough tightly will help keep the filling inside and create beautiful swirls.

Serving Suggestions

Warm and Cozy Breakfast: There’s nothing quite like a warm cinnamon roll on a chilly morning. Serve these French Vanilla Chai Cinnamon Rolls fresh out of the oven with a side of fresh fruit or a cup of coffee for the perfect start to your day.

Brunch Highlight: Elevate your brunch spread by including these cinnamon rolls as a centerpiece. They pair wonderfully with savory dishes like omelets or bacon, balancing the meal with their sweet, spiced flavor.

Afternoon Tea Companion: These cinnamon rolls are the perfect accompaniment to a cup of tea, especially in the afternoon when you need a little pick-me-up. The spices in the rolls complement black tea beautifully.

Dessert Option: Although not a traditional dessert, these rolls can be served as a sweet end to a meal, especially when you’re looking for something comforting and homemade. Pair with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for an extra indulgent treat.

Storage Tips

Room Temperature Storage: If you plan to consume the cinnamon rolls within a day or two, they can be kept at room temperature. Ensure they are covered tightly with plastic wrap or foil to prevent them from drying out.

Refrigerating Your Rolls: For longer storage, refrigerate your cinnamon rolls. They can last up to 5 days when stored properly in an airtight container. This will help maintain their moisture and freshness.

Freezing for Longevity: These cinnamon rolls freeze beautifully. 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 enjoy, thaw at room temperature or gently warm them in the oven or microwave.

Reheating: To recapture the just-baked freshness, lightly cover a cinnamon roll with foil and warm 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.

Frequently Asked Questions

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 typically 1:1, and you don’t need to dissolve it in warm milk first. Mix it directly 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 to enhance the vanilla flavor.

Can I make these cinnamon rolls 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. Ensure 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 the mixture 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 prepare the cinnamon rolls the night before?: Yes, you can prepare the rolls up to the point of the second rise, then cover and refrigerate them overnight. The next morning, let them come to room temperature and complete their second rise before baking.

French Vanilla Chai Cinnamon Rolls

No ratings yet

Let's dive into a cozy and aromatic baking journey with French Vanilla Chai Cinnamon Rolls, perfect for those who love to infuse their treats with the warming spices of chai and the delicate sweetness of French vanilla.

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.