Lazy Chai Cinnamon Rolls

You will love my lazy chai cinnamon rolls that were inspired by Ina Garten, also know as the Barefoot Contessa.  She is my absolute favorite television chef.  I have whimsical dreams of being invited to visit her and Jeffrey at their amazing home in the Hamptons for a dinner party with all her fabulous friends.  I even imagine we are friends some days.  Yep, my husband pretty much thinks I’m crazy.  

Ina is just the quintessential home chef.  I recently watched an episode (for the 15th time I think) during my weekly Food Network DVR marathon where she used puff pastry to create sticky buns.  I thought it was such a genius idea.  Cutting down on the cumbersome yeast dough step sounded so promising considering how busy I am.  As soon as Erin, a high school friend of mine, invited me to write a feature, I figured I would experiment with a concept for quick and easy cinnamon rolls with a twist since sticky buns and cinnamon rolls are first cousins.   

These cinnamon rolls are not just ordinary cinnamon rolls.  Oh no!  These are chai spiced cinnamon rolls which literally made me say “yum” out loud.  The best part was my taste testers thinking I spent the whole weekend slaving in the kitchen over these while I knew I was just a lazy bum who whipped these up in 30 minutes.  Enjoy!  I certainly did.
To see my guest feature, visit Erin’s amazing blog Home Everyday here:

Lazy Chai Cinnamon Rolls
1 pack of frozen puff pastry with two sheets that has thawed out in the refrigerator for at least two hours.  

3 tablespoons melted butter

1/4 tsp. ground nutmeg

small sprinkle which ends up being 1/8 teaspoon cinnamon
1-2 tablespoons of milk or chai black tea if you want to amp up the chai flavor

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.  Lightly flour your surface and roll out one sheet of puff pastry until about 1/4 inch thick (leave the other sheet in the refrigerator).  Brush puff pastry with melted butter, leaving 1 inch of space around the edges. Evenly sprinkle puff pastry with half of brown sugar, chai spice mix and cinnamon just over buttered area.   Tightly but gently roll the dough up. Use a little melted butter on the open edge of the roll to seal the seam.  Using a sharp knife, slice the roll into six pieces. Place each roll inside a parchment paper lined baking dish. Place the dish in the refrigerator as you repeat the above steps with the last sheet of puff pastry.  Bake the cinnamon rolls in preheated oven for 25-30 minutes or until golden (watch carefully!).

While rolls are baking, make the icing.  Beat butter until fluffy. Gradually add powdered sugar, then add milk or tea and flavorings. Increase amount of spice, or sugar until desired consistency and flavor are reached.  Then place in the microwave for 10-20 seconds until it melts down and is pourable.  Drizzle over cinnamon rolls when they are fresh out of the oven and enjoy.  Happy Baking!

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