Recipe: Cinnamon Focaccia with Chai Cream Cheese Frosting

Cinnamon Focaccia with Chai Cream Cheese Frosting

This Cinnamon Focaccia with Chai Cream Cheese Frosting is the perfect way to start your day. Enjoy it with your morning coffee for a delicious and satisfying breakfast. The soft, pillowy bread pairs perfectly with the rich, creamy frosting, and the warm cinnamon and chai add a touch of sweetness and spice to your morning.

Yields: 12-16 servings

Prep time: 20-30 minutes

Rise time: 1-2 hours

Bake time: 20-30 minutes

Total time: 2-3 hours

Ingredients:

For the dough:

• 350ml lukewarm water (38-46°C)

• 1 packet (7g) active dry yeast

• 2 tablespoons honey

• 500g bakers flour

• 5ml salt

• 30ml olive oil, plus more for greasing

For the chai cream cheese frosting:

• 250g cream cheese, softened

• 120g unsalted butter, softened

• 5ml vanilla extract

• 100g powdered sugar

• 15g powdered chai blend

• 15-30ml milk

For the cinnamon filling:

• 50g butter, melted

• 40g packed brown sugar

• 15ml ground cinnamon

Instructions:

Make the dough:

1. Bloom the yeast: In a small bowl, combine lukewarm water and yeast. Let stand for 5 minutes or until foamy.

2. Combine ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together flour and salt. Add bloomed yeast mixture, honey, and olive oil. Stir with a wooden spoon until a dough forms.

3. Knead: Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead for 7-10 minutes, or until smooth and elastic.

4. First rise: Place the dough in a lightly greased bowl, turning to coat. Cover with plastic wrap and let rise in a warm place for 1-2 hours, or until doubled in size.

Prepare the focaccia:

1. Preheat oven: Preheat oven to 200°C (375°F).

2. Prepare tray: Lay a piece of baking paper over your baking tray.

3. Transfer dough: After the dough has risen to double its size, knock it down, transfer it to the prepared baking tray and spread it out to all corners. The dough can be quite sticky to work with so dampen your fingers with some water to reduce sticking. Allow to rise for another 30 minutes.

4. Dimple the dough: With wet hands, push your fingertips into the dough to create dimples.

5. Add filling: In a small bowl, mix the melted butter, brown sugar and cinnamon until combined. Pour your mix evenly over your dough.

6. Bake: Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until golden brown.

7. Cool: Let the focaccia cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.

Make the chai cream cheese frosting:

1. Combine ingredients: In a medium bowl, beat together cream cheese and butter until smooth. Beat in vanilla extract.

2. Add sugar: Gradually add powdered sugar, beating until light and fluffy.

3. Add chai spices: Stir in powdered chai blend. Add milk 1 tablespoon at a time until the frosting reaches desired consistency.

4. Frost: Frost the cooled focaccia with chai cream cheese frosting.

Enjoy your delicious and flavorful Cinnamon Scroll Focaccia with Chai Cream Cheese Frosting!