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Vanilla chai infused cinnamon rolls fresh from the oven

Vanilla Chai Tea Infused Cinnamon Rolls

An incredibly yummy cinnamon roll perfect for breakfast or brunch. Make most of it the night before so they're ready quickly in the morning. Most is waiting time, which makes it perfect for an overnight rise while you sleep!
5 from 5 votes
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Course: Breakfast
Cuisine: American
Diet: Vegetarian
Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Rise Time: 1 hour
Total Time: 2 hours
Servings: 12 cinnamon rolls
Calories: 445kcal
Author: Michelle

Ingredients

Cinnamon Rolls

  • 1 cup milk
  • 1 vanilla chai tea bag
  • 2 1/4 teaspoons yeast 1 packet equivalent
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 cup sugar
  • 5 tablespoons unsalted butter softened
  • 1 egg
  • 3 1/2 cups flour

Filling

  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter softened
  • 1/3 cup sugar
  • 1/2 cup brown sugar
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1/2 teaspoon fresh ground nutmeg
  • 1/4 teaspoon fresh ground cloves

Glaze

  • 3 tablespoons unsalted butter melted
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla
  • 2 cups powdered sugar
  • 1/4 cup brewed vanilla chai tea

Instructions

  • Heat milk just until it is steaming. Add the tea bag and let it steep for five minutes off the heat. Remove the tea bag, and add milk to mixing bowl. Top with yeast, sugar, salt, and 1 cup of flour. Mix until thoroughly combined.
    1 cup milk, 1 vanilla chai tea bag, 2 1/4 teaspoons yeast, 1 teaspoon salt, 1/4 cup sugar, 3 1/2 cups flour
  • Add softened butter and mix again. When mostly incorporated, add the egg and bring to medium speed to beat together. Once incorporated, add remaining flour slowly. Mix on low speed until your dough comes together in a ball.
    5 tablespoons unsalted butter, 1 egg
  • Remove the dough to a lightly floured surface and knead for five to ten minutes, until the dough springs back when you press lightly into it. Return to your bowl and cover with a towel. Let rise for an hour until doubled in size.
  • Roll out dough to a 9 by 15 rectangle. Spread 1/2 cup of butter over the dough, leaving a one inch gap along the top long side Use the wrapper to spread any remaining butter into the bottom and sides of a 9x13 pan to grease the pan
    1/2 cup unsalted butter
  • Mix the remainder of your filling in a separate bowl. Use a fork to combine the sugars, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves. Spread this over the butter on your dough.
    1/3 cup sugar, 1/2 cup brown sugar, 1 teaspoon cinnamon, 1/2 teaspoon fresh ground nutmeg, 1/4 teaspoon fresh ground cloves
  • Roll up your rectangle into a long log, starting at the bottom and leaving the uncoated edge for the end. Use a serrated knife to slice into 12 equal pieces.
  • Place each piece into your buttered pan. Replace the towel and let rise for 30 minutes or place in the fridge overnight to finish in the morning.
  • Preheat your oven to 350 degrees while your cinnamon rolls are rising. Once they are ready to bake, remove the towel and bake uncovered in your oven for 30 minutes until golden brown and the filling has started to bubble at the edges.
  • Cool in the pan while you make the glaze. Brew a cup of vanilla chai tea. In a small mixing bowl, add melted butter, vanilla, and powdered sugar. Pour the hot tea over this. Use a fork to stir until thoroughly combined, adding a bit more tea to thin the glaze if needed. Pour the glaze over your cinnamon rolls and enjoy immediately.
    3 tablespoons unsalted butter, 1 teaspoon vanilla, 1/4 cup brewed vanilla chai tea, 2 cups powdered sugar

Equipment

Rolling Pin
Bread Knife
Glass Bakeware
Glass Bakeware

Notes

  • If you don't have vanilla chai tea, use your standard chai tea but add a half teaspoon of vanilla to the milk at the start of the recipe and a quarter teaspoon of vanilla to the glaze.
  • If you make these at night and let them rise in your fridge, this works great. Make sure you remove the rolls from the fridge and let them sit on the counter, still covered by the towel, for 45 minutes before you bake them.
  • These are best eaten the day they're made but can be stored on the counter in a tightly sealed container for another 1-2 days if needed.
  • For more tips and tricks, be sure to read the full article above.

Nutrition

Serving: 1roll | Calories: 445kcal | Carbohydrates: 67g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 17g | Saturated Fat: 10g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 5g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 58mg | Sodium: 336mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 37g

This site uses an online source to provide nutrition estimates as a courtesy. If you need exact values, please calculate yourself.