Why You’ll Love Butterfinger Puppy Chow Recipe
-
Infused with aromatic chai spices for a unique twist on a classic.
-
Soft, fluffy dough that melts in your mouth.
-
Perfectly sweet and warmly spiced filling.
-
Ideal for make-ahead prep and holiday mornings.
-
A delicious fusion of comfort food and exotic flavor.
Ingredients
(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
-
All-purpose flour
-
Granulated sugar
-
Instant yeast
-
Salt
-
Whole milk
-
Unsalted butter
-
Eggs
-
Ground cinnamon
-
Ground cardamom
-
Ground ginger
-
Ground cloves
-
Ground nutmeg
-
Brown sugar
-
Cream cheese
-
Powdered sugar
-
Vanilla extract
Directions
-
Make the dough: Warm the milk and mix it with yeast, sugar, and a bit of flour. Let it sit until foamy, then add eggs, melted butter, and the rest of the flour and salt. Knead until smooth and elastic.
-
Let it rise: Cover the dough and let it rise in a warm place until doubled in size, about 1 to 1.5 hours.
-
Prepare the filling: Mix brown sugar with cinnamon, cardamom, ginger, cloves, and nutmeg. Melt butter and set aside.
-
Roll and fill: Roll the dough into a rectangle. Brush with melted butter and sprinkle evenly with the spiced sugar mixture.
-
Shape the rolls: Roll the dough into a log and slice into even rolls. Arrange them in a greased baking dish.
-
Second rise: Cover and let the rolls rise again until puffy, about 30-45 minutes.
-
Bake: Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 25-30 minutes or until golden brown and cooked through.
-
Make the glaze: Beat cream cheese, powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and a splash of milk until smooth and spreadable.
-
Finish: Spread the glaze over warm rolls and serve.
Servings and timing
Servings: 12 rolls
Prep time: 25 minutes
Rise time: 2 hours
Bake time: 30 minutes
Total time: About 3 hours
Variations
-
Chai spice mix: Use a pre-made chai spice blend to save time.
-
Vegan version: Substitute dairy and eggs with plant-based alternatives.
-
Maple glaze: Swap the cream cheese glaze for a maple glaze for a deeper sweetness.
-
Nutty twist: Add crushed walnuts or pecans to the filling for added crunch.
-
Mini rolls: Cut smaller rolls for bite-sized treats.
-
Extra spice: Increase the spices for a bolder chai flavor.
-
Apple chai rolls: Add thinly sliced apples to the filling for a fall-inspired variation.
Storage/Reheating
Store leftover rolls in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days or in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. To reheat, warm individual rolls in the microwave for 20-30 seconds or in the oven at 300°F (150°C) for about 10 minutes. Freeze unglazed rolls for up to 2 months; thaw and glaze before serving.
FAQs
What is chai spice made of?
Chai spice typically includes cinnamon, cardamom, ginger, cloves, and nutmeg. Some blends may also include allspice or black pepper.
Can I use store-bought dough for this recipe?
Yes, you can use store-bought cinnamon roll dough, but the flavor will be less complex than homemade chai-spiced dough.
How do I make these rolls ahead of time?
Prepare the rolls up to the second rise, cover tightly, and refrigerate overnight. Let them come to room temperature and rise before baking.
Can I make these rolls dairy-free?
Yes, use dairy-free milk, vegan butter, and a dairy-free cream cheese substitute for the glaze.
What’s the best way to slice the dough cleanly?
Use unflavored dental floss or a sharp serrated knife to slice the dough without squishing the rolls.
Can I add tea to the recipe?
You can infuse the milk with chai tea bags before adding to the dough for extra flavor depth.
Are these rolls very sweet?
They are moderately sweet, with the glaze adding most of the sweetness. You can reduce the sugar if you prefer.
Can I freeze the dough?
Yes, freeze the dough after the first rise. Thaw overnight in the fridge, roll, fill, shape, and bake as directed.
How long will the glaze last?
The glaze can be stored in the fridge for up to 5 days. Bring to room temperature and stir before using.
What’s the best pan to use?
A 9×13-inch baking dish or two 9-inch round pans work well for even baking.
Conclusion
Chai Cinnamon Rolls are the perfect balance of warm spices and sweet comfort. Whether you’re looking to impress at brunch or enjoy a cozy morning treat, these rolls deliver big flavor in every soft, gooey bite. Try them once, and they’re sure to become a favorite.
Chai Cinnamon Rolls
Soft, fluffy Chai Cinnamon Rolls infused with warm chai spices and topped with a creamy glaze. These spiced breakfast rolls are perfect for cozy mornings or festive brunches. Packed with cardamom, cinnamon, ginger, and cloves, these chai-flavored cinnamon rolls will become your favorite fall or winter treat.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 2 hours
- Yield: 12 rolls
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
- Dough:
- 3 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 2 ¼ tsp active dry yeast (1 packet)
- 1 cup warm milk (110°F)
- ⅓ cup granulated sugar
- ¼ cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1 large egg
- ½ tsp salt
- Chai Spice Mix:
- 1 ½ tsp ground cinnamon
- 1 tsp ground cardamom
- ½ tsp ground ginger
- ¼ tsp ground cloves
- ¼ tsp ground nutmeg
- ¼ tsp ground allspice
- Filling:
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- ¾ cup brown sugar, packed
- 1 ½ tbsp chai spice mix (from above)
- Glaze:
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2 tbsp cream cheese, softened
- 1–2 tbsp milk (as needed)
- ½ tsp vanilla extract
- Optional: a pinch of chai spice mix
Instructions
- Activate Yeast: In a bowl, combine warm milk, sugar, and yeast. Let it sit for 5–10 minutes until frothy.
- Make Dough: Add melted butter, egg, salt, and flour. Mix and knead for 5–7 minutes until smooth and elastic. Cover and let rise for 1 hour or until doubled in size.
- Prepare Chai Spice Mix: In a small bowl, mix all the chai spices together.
- Make Filling: In another bowl, combine softened butter, brown sugar, and 1½ tbsp of the chai spice mix.
- Assemble Rolls: Roll dough into a 16×12 inch rectangle. Spread the chai filling evenly over the dough. Roll tightly from the long edge and slice into 12 rolls.
- Second Rise: Place rolls in a greased 9×13 baking dish. Cover and let rise for another 30–45 minutes.
- Bake: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake rolls for 20–25 minutes or until golden brown.
- Make Glaze: Whisk together powdered sugar, cream cheese, milk, and vanilla until smooth. Drizzle over warm rolls.
- Serve: Sprinkle with extra chai spice (optional) and serve warm.
Notes
- You can prepare the rolls the night before and refrigerate them before the second rise. Let them come to room temp and rise before baking.
- For extra flavor, add a chai tea bag steeped in warm milk and cooled before using it in the dough.
- These rolls freeze well for up to 2 months. Reheat in the microwave for a warm, gooey treat.
- For a dairy-free version, use plant-based milk, vegan butter, and dairy-free cream cheese.
