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Sourdough Cinnamon Rolls – A Slow-Fermented Treat for the Soul
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There’s something undeniably special about waking up to the smell of warm, gooey cinnamon rolls baking in the oven. It’s a scent that wraps around you like a cozy blanket, promising a slow morning filled with comfort and indulgence.
Now, imagine all of that, but with the added depth of sourdough fermentation—a process that makes these cinnamon rolls softer, more flavorful, and easier to digest. These Sourdough Cinnamon Rolls are naturally leavened, meaning no commercial yeast, just the magic of a well-loved sourdough starter.
Whether you’re making these for a lazy weekend breakfast, a special holiday, or just because you deserve something sweet, this recipe will become a staple in your kitchen.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
✔️ Soft & Fluffy – Thanks to a long fermentation and enriched dough.
✔️ Naturally Leavened – No commercial yeast, just the power of your starter.
✔️ Make-Ahead Friendly – Prep the night before and bake fresh in the morning.
✔️ Irresistibly Gooey & Buttery – Everything a cinnamon roll should be!
Sourdough Cinnamon Rolls Recipe
📌 Prep Time: 20 minutes
⏳ Rest & Rise Time: 12-24 hours
🔥 Bake Time: 25 minutes
🍽 Yield: 12 rolls
Ingredients
- For the Dough:
- 500 g 4 cups bread flour
- 100 g ½ cup active sourdough starter (100% hydration)
- 200 g ¾ cup + 2 tbsp whole milk, warm
- 100 g ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- 50 g ¼ cup sugar or honey
- 1 large egg
- 8 g 1½ tsp salt
- For the Cinnamon Filling:
- 100 g ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- 100 g ½ cup brown sugar
- 1½ tbsp cinnamon
- For the Cream Cheese Frosting:
- 113 g 4 oz cream cheese, softened
- 50 g ¼ cup unsalted butter, softened
- 120 g 1 cup powdered sugar
- ½ tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tbsp milk as needed for consistency
Instructions
- Mix the Dough
- In a large bowl, combine:
- ✅ 500g bread flour
- ✅ 100g active sourdough starter
- ✅ 200g warm milk
- ✅ 50g sugar or honey
- ✅ 1 egg
- ✅ 100g softened butter
- ✅ 8g salt
- Mix until a shaggy dough forms. Cover and let rest for 30 minutes.
- Knead & Bulk Fermentation (8-12 Hours, Overnight Preferred)
- Knead the dough until smooth (5-7 minutes by hand or 3-5 minutes in a stand mixer).
- Place in a greased bowl, cover, and let it rise overnight at room temperature (70-75°F) until puffy and doubled in size.
- 💡 Pro Tip: If your kitchen is cool, fermentation may take longer. Letting it rise overnight ensures the best flavor!
- Roll & Fill the Dough (Morning)
- Lightly flour a surface and roll the dough into a 12×18-inch rectangle.
- Spread 100g softened butter evenly over the dough.
- Mix 100g brown sugar & 1½ tbsp cinnamon, then sprinkle it over the butter.
- Shape the Rolls
- Roll the dough tightly from the long side into a log.
- Slice into 12 even rolls and place in a greased 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Cover and let them rise for 2-4 hours, until puffy and nearly doubled.
- 💡 Make-Ahead Option:
- At this stage, you can cover and refrigerate overnight. Let them come to room temperature (about 1-2 hours) before baking.
- Bake the Cinnamon Rolls
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Bake for 22-25 minutes, until golden brown.
- Make the Frosting & Glaze the Rolls
- Beat together cream cheese, butter, powdered sugar, vanilla, and milk until smooth.
- Spread over warm cinnamon rolls for the ultimate gooey goodness.
How to Store & Freeze Sourdough Cinnamon Rolls
- At Room Temp: Keep in an airtight container for 2 days.
- In the Fridge: Store for 5 days (reheat for best texture).
- In the Freezer: Freeze unfrosted rolls for up to 3 months.
💡 Reheat Tip: Warm rolls in a 300°F oven for 5 minutes or microwave for 20 seconds for that fresh-from-the-oven softness.
Why Sourdough Makes These Cinnamon Rolls Better
Sourdough isn’t just about flavor—it changes the texture and digestibility of baked goods in the best way.
✨ Long fermentation makes the dough softer and easier to digest.
✨ Sourdough adds depth to the flavor, balancing the sweetness.
✨ You don’t need commercial yeast—just your active starter!
If you love classic cinnamon rolls, you’ll fall in love with sourdough cinnamon rolls. They’re softer, richer, and have a subtle complexity that makes them completely irresistible.
Ways to Make These Even More Special
Looking to mix things up? Try these variations:
🍯 Brown Butter Cinnamon Rolls – Swap regular butter for browned butter in the filling.
🌰 Nutty Cinnamon Rolls – Add chopped pecans or walnuts for crunch.
🍊 Orange Glazed Cinnamon Rolls – Add orange zest to the dough & frosting.
🍏 Apple Cinnamon Rolls – Add finely chopped apples to the filling.
No matter how you make them, they’ll be an instant favorite.
Final Thoughts
Sourdough cinnamon rolls are more than just breakfast—they’re a slow-made treat that brings warmth, comfort, and a little extra joy to the day. Whether you bake them for family gatherings, weekend brunch, or just because, they’re worth every minute of fermentation.
If you liked these, give these baguettes a try.
If you give these a try, I’d love to see your beautiful rolls! Tag me on Instagram @WillowAndMoose using #TheGoodLifeChronicles so we can all admire your sourdough success.
Happy baking! 🍞✨
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