Homemade Soft Fluffy Sourdough Cinnamon Rolls Recipe

Have you ever wondered how to put your active sourdough starter to good use? Last year, I stumbled upon the best cinnamon rolls recipe – Sourdough Cinnamon Rolls. They’re fluffy, tangy, and with a decadent cream cheese frosting, they rival any traditional cinnamon rolls out there!

Understanding Sourdough Starter:

A sourdough starter is teeming with live microorganisms, primarily yeast and lactic acid bacteria. If you’re new to sourdough bread, making your own sourdough starter is straightforward. You’ll need flour, warm water, and patience. Simply mix equal amounts of flour (be it white, strong, or bread flour) with warm water in a large bowl and let it sit in a warm place, allowing the natural yeasts to flourish. Over the course of several days, with regular feedings, you’ll have an active starter. This process gained immense popularity at the beginning of the pandemic, and for many, it was their first time diving into the world of sourdough.

Preparation Stage:

Before you start with the sourdough cinnamon roll recipe, ensure your sourdough discard or active sourdough starter is at room temperature for best results.

Dough Ingredients:

• 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• ⅓ cup ripe sourdough starter
• 1 cup milk
• 8 tablespoons unsalted butter, cold
• 1 tablespoon + 1 teaspoon white sugar
• ¾ teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• ½ teaspoon baking soda

Cinnamon Filling:

• ¾ cup light brown sugar
• 2 teaspoons cinnamon
• 4 tablespoons softened butter

Decadent Cream Cheese Frosting:

• 1 1/4 cup powdered sugar
• 1 tablespoon butter, melted
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1 1/2 tablespoons milk
• A dollop of cream cheese, room temp

Method:

1. In the bowl of your stand mixer, combine the dough ingredients, using the dough hook at a low speed initially, gradually increasing to medium speed. Mix until a soft dough forms, pulling away from the sides of the bowl.
2. Transfer the dough onto a floured surface, kneading gently into a smooth ball.
3. Place the dough in an oiled bowl, covering with plastic wrap or a damp towel. Let the dough rise in a warm spot for the first rise, which usually takes a few hours.
4. Once doubled, roll the dough on a floured work surface using a rolling pin. Spread the softened butter on top of the dough, followed by sprinkling the cinnamon sugar filling.
5. Roll the dough from the long edge, creating a tight log. Use dental floss or a sharp serrated knife to cut into individual cinnamon buns.
6. Place rolls on a parchment paper-lined baking dish, leaving some space between each for the second rise. Cover and let it rest, allowing the buns to puff up.
7. Bake until golden brown. While they’re baking, whisk together the frosting ingredients in a mixing bowl.
8. Let the warm rolls cool slightly before generously spreading with cream cheese frosting.

Storage & Serving Tips:

Sourdough cinnamon rolls taste best when served fresh, but they can be stored in an airtight container for up to 3 days. If you’re planning ahead, you can refrigerate unbaked cinnamon rolls overnight and bake them the next morning. You can also freeze baked rolls; thaw in the refrigerator and warm them in the oven before serving.

Whether it’s brunch or a snack, these fluffy sourdough cinnamon rolls, with their tangy flavor and creamy frosting, are sure to impress. If you’re purchasing any of the tools or ingredients online, I might use affiliate links, which means I’ll earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Your support helps keep my baking adventures alive. Happy baking!

Why This Sourdough Cinnamon Roll Recipe Works:

1. Natural Yeast: The use of a sourdough starter means you’re employing natural yeast for leavening, which provides a tangy flavor and soft texture, contrasting beautifully with the sweet, spicy filling.
2. Cold Butter: Utilizing cold butter in the dough ensures a flaky texture. As the butter melts during baking, it creates steam which puffs up the dough, resulting in light, airy rolls.
3. Cream Cheese Frosting: The tanginess of the cream cheese perfectly complements the sourdough’s unique flavor profile and enhances the overall cinnamon roll experience.

Tips and Tricks:

1. Active Starter: Make sure your starter is active and bubbly. This ensures the rolls rise well and develop a good flavor.
2. Temperature: Keep all ingredients at room temperature unless specified otherwise. This will help the dough to mix evenly.
3. Kneading: Avoid over-kneading the dough as this can make the rolls tough. Aim for a soft and slightly sticky dough.
4. Resting: Allow sufficient resting time. This gives the dough a chance to rise and develop flavors.
5. Slicing: Dental floss can help achieve clean cuts without squishing the roll.

Common Problems and Fixes:

1. Rolls Not Rising: This might be due to an inactive sourdough starter. Always ensure your starter has been recently fed and is bubbly. If you’re in a pinch, a little commercial yeast can help.
2. Dough Too Sticky: Depending on the flour and humidity, you might need more or less flour. Add flour, a tablespoon at a time, until the desired consistency is reached.
3. Dough Too Dry: Add milk or water, a tablespoon at a time, until the dough is soft but not overly sticky.
4. Filling Oozing Out: Roll the dough tightly and ensure the filling is spread evenly without reaching the very edge of the dough.

Tips for Making This Recipe with Kids:

1. Measuring Fun: Let kids measure out ingredients. This is a great way to introduce them to baking and even a bit of math.
2. Hands-On Kneading: Kids usually love to get their hands into the dough. Just ensure they have clean hands, and let them knead away!
3. Decorate: Once the rolls are baked, let kids spread the cream cheese frosting and perhaps add some sprinkles or other toppings they love.
4. Safety First: Always supervise kids, especially when using sharp objects or the oven. Depending on their age, some tasks might be better handled by an adult.
5. Teaching Moment: Use the waiting times (like while the dough rises) to explain the science of sourdough and fermentation.
6. Messy Fun: Baking can get messy, especially with kids. Lay some parchment paper or a silicone mat to make cleanup easier.

Remember, the process of baking with kids can be as rewarding as enjoying the finished product. The experience will provide them with valuable skills and wonderful memories. Enjoy your baking session!

Yield: 12 Cinnamon Rolls

Sourdough Cinnamon Rolls Recipe For Anytime

Prep Time: 2 minutes

Total Time: 2 minutes

These sourdough cinnamon rolls are so good and fun to make!

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Ingredients

• 8 tablespoons butter, cold
• 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• ⅓ cup sourdough starter discard
• 1 cup milk
• 1 tablespoon + 1 teaspoon granulated sugar
• ¾ teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• ½ teaspoon baking soda
• Filling:
• ¾ cup light brown sugar
• 2 teaspoons cinnamon
• 4 tablespoons butter, melted
• Glaze:
• 1 1/4 cup powdered sugar
• 1 tablespoon butter, melted
• 2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 1/2 tablespoons milk

Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 375 degrees. Spray with cooking spray a 12” cast iron skillet.
2. In a large bowl, add your flour. Cut your butter into pats and add to your flour. Using your hands, or a pastry cutter, work the butter into the dough. Crumbles should resemble pea size.
3. Add to your flour mixture, sourdough starter, milk, sugar, salt, baking powder and baking soda. Mix well.
4. Lightly flour a flat surface and add your dough mixture. Roll your dough to a 12 x 22 inches rectangle.
5. Filling: Melt your butter in a small bowl. Add to your butter mixture your cinnamon and sugar. Mix.
6. Brush your cinnamon sugar mixture to your dough evenly, leaving space on the edges.
7. Roll your dough toward you long ways. Pinch the ends together.
8. Cut your cinnamon rolls into 12 pieces. I suggest using a sharp knife, or bread knife. Cut in the middle to create two pieces, then cut again to create four pieces, etc. until you have 12!
9. Place each piece of your cinnamon roll in your skillet with the swirl showing top to bottom. Place evenly so that each cinnamon roll has room.
10. Bake your cinnamon rolls for 35 to 40 minutes or until lightly brown.
11. While your cinnamon rolls are baking, mixed together all of the ingredients for your glaze. Set aside.
12. Once your cinnamon rolls are done remove them from the oven. Pour the glaze evenly over the cinnamon rolls.
13. Serve and enjoy!

Nutrition Information

Yield

12

Serving Size

1
Amount Per Serving Calories 321Total Fat 13gSaturated Fat 8gTrans Fat 1gUnsaturated Fat 4gCholesterol 35mgSodium 339mgCarbohydrates 47gFiber 1gSugar 24gProtein 4g

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