Easy Sourdough Cinnamon Roll Recipe Step by Step Guide

This is the ultimate sourdough cinnamon roll recipe you’ll ever need! Soft, fluffy rolls are swirled with layers of cinnamon sugar, baked to golden perfection, and topped with creamy, tangy cream cheese icing making them the ultimate breakfast indulgence. The natural fermentation process enhances the flavor, creating a perfect harmony of sweetness, subtle tang, and softness. You simply have to try this irresistible recipe!

Why you will love this recipe

Did you know all bread was sourdough years ago? It’s not just about food. It’s about self-sufficiency and keeping traditional wisdom alive in our kitchens. So, let’s get our essential baking tools ready and explore more sourdough recipes together.”

The sourdough’s tangy taste pairs perfectly with cinnamon’s sweetness. This makes the rolls hard to resist. Making them is rewarding and builds connections, slowing down our busy lives. It lets us enjoy the baking process and the joy of homemade treats.

This recipe is easy to follow, even for beginners. The dough rises and ferments for 8-12 hours over night. This gives you time to manage your schedule. An optional “Stretch and Fold” step can make the rolls even fluffier. 

The glaze is a key part of the recipe. It’s made from softened butter, cream cheese and maple syrup! Make sure the ingredients are at room temperature for the best glaze. Adding baking powder and baking soda in the morning helps the rolls rise well.

Homemade sourdough cinnamon rolls are perfect for any occasion. They taste amazing and show the effort and love you put into making them. 

Tips For Making Fluffy Sourdough Cinnamon Rolls

To make the perfect fluffy sourdough cinnamon rolls, follow some key steps. First, make sure your sourdough starter is active and bubbly. This is crucial for fluffy rolls. If your starter is not active, your rolls might turn out dense or flat.

Never rush the proofing stage. Letting the dough rise naturally is key. It makes the rolls rich in flavor and light. Being patient is important when baking with sourdough.

Adding rich ingredients like whole eggs and unsalted butter makes the rolls fluffier. Follow these tips, and you’ll get delicious, fluffy sourdough cinnamon rolls.

Ingredients

Let’s look at what you’ll need for these treats.

Dough

• 1/2 cup sourdough starter bubbly and active (113 grams)
• 4 cups all-purpose flour 540 grams
• 1/2 cup water 118 grams
• 1/2 cup melted butter
• 1/2 cup honey 168 grams
• 2 eggs
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt

Cinnamon Sugar Filling

The cinnamon sugar filling is crucial for flavor. It’s a mix of spices, sweetness, and a bit of salt. Here’s what you’ll need:

• 1 cup brown sugar 200 grams
• 2 tablespoons cinnamon      
• 1/2 cup softened butter

These ingredients make the sweet swirl in the rolls. Don’t skip the cinnamon; it’s essential!

Cream Cheese Topping

The cream cheese topping is the final touch. 

You’ll need:

• 6 ounces cream cheese
• 1/2 cup heavy cream 120 grams
• 1/2 cup maple syrup or honey
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract 

Whisk these ingredients until smooth and fluffy. This cream cheese topping will melt over your warm rolls. It makes each bite a moment of joy. 

Hungry for more sourdough recipes?

The smell of sourdough bread is amazing. Whether you love bread or sweet treats, sourdough has something for everyone. The journey is truly rewarding. Check out my Sourdough Sandwich Bread Recipe, and Sourdough Pancakes. 

How To Make The Easiest Sourdough Cinnamon Rolls From Scratch

Making cinnamon rolls from scratch is a rewarding experience. It fills your kitchen with heavenly aromas. I will guide you step-by-step to make cinnamon rolls that will become a family favorite. This sourdough cinnamon roll recipe covers everything from dough preparation to the sweet filling and glaze.

Step 1: Make The Dough

Step 2: Cover And Ferment

Once mixed, cover the dough with a damp cloth and let it ferment overnight. This step is vital for developing the depth of flavor. Place the dough in a greased bowl and cover with plastic wrap. Allow to rest in a warm place overnight, or up to 12 hours. 

Step 3: Add Remaining Dough Ingredients

After fermentation, add the baking soda, baking powder and salt to the dough and mix in the stand mixer on medium speed for about 5 minutes, or knead with your hands. Combine well.

Step 4: Make Filling

How To Make Cream Cheese Frosting

Making the perfect cream cheese frosting is an art. It adds a tangy sweetness to your baked goods. In a medium saucepan, over medium heat, add cream cheese, heavy cream, maple syrup or honey, and vanilla extract. Stir until combined. Pour over cinnamon rolls and enjoy.

This frosting is great not just for cinnamon rolls. It can make any baked good special. Keep it in your cookbook for a special touch. Happy baking!

How To Store

Learning how to store homemade cinnamon rolls lets you enjoy them for days after baking. Not that they will last long! These treats are full of joy and can stay fresh if stored right. Here’s my advice to keep their amazing texture and taste.

1. Store them at room temperature: Put your sourdough cinnamon rolls in an airtight container. They’ll stay fresh for up to three days. I wrap each roll in plastic wrap to keep moisture in and prevent drying.
2. Refrigeration method: If you have cream cheese frosting, store your rolls in the fridge. Cover them with plastic wrap or put them in a sealed container. They’ll stay tasty for up to five days.

Freezing your rolls is another great option. Here are my cinnamon roll storage tips:

• Unfrosted rolls can be frozen for up to three months.
• Wrap each roll in plastic wrap, then put them in a freezer-safe bag or container. When you want to enjoy one, thaw it at room temperature or warm it in the oven.

These methods keep my rolls soft, moist, and tempting, even days or weeks later. A little prep today means a great treat tomorrow. 

How To Prepare Sourdough Cinnamon Rolls Ahead Of Time

Preparing sourdough cinnamon rolls ahead of time is very rewarding for me. 

1. Make your dough according to the directions.
2. Once the dough is mixed, cover it with a damp cloth. Place them in a warm place to rise slowly overnight.
3. The next morning, Roll out the dough, spread the filling and cut into 12 even pieces.
4. Refrigerate up to 12 hours or place in the freezer. If left in the fridge to long, the rolls will over proof.
5. Allow to rest on the counter for 2 hours before baking if refrigerated, and overnight if making them from the freezer.
6. Bake according to directions.

Baker’s Schedule

Creating the perfect sourdough cinnamon rolls requires a detailed plan. This schedule will help your dough rise, making your rolls light and fluffy. 

12 PM the day before baking

Start by feeding your sourdough starter at midday. Let it rest. This makes it bubbly and active for the dough.

6-8 PM

By early evening, your starter is ready. Combine active sourdough starter, flour, honey, water, eggs, and melted butter. Mix together until smooth and passes the window pane test. 

7-8 AM The Next Morning (or later)

Add baking soda, baking powder, and salt to the dough. You can either do this by hand kneading or using the dough hook on a stand mixer. Mix on medium speed for about 5 minutes until the dough forms a ball and isn’t sticky. 

Fill and roll the cinnamon roll up tightly and pinch the seams. Cut into 12 equal rolls and place into a greased baking dish.

Bake at 375 degrees for 20-25 minutes. 

While the buns are baking, make the cream cheese icing.

FAQ

Continue to Content

Sourdough Cinnamon Rolls

Yield: 12

Cook Time: 25 minutes

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Additional Time: 1 day

Total Time: 1 day 45 minutes

This is the ultimate sourdough cinnamon roll recipe you’ll ever need! Soft, fluffy rolls are swirled with layers of cinnamon sugar, baked to golden perfection, and topped with creamy, tangy cream cheese icing—making them the ultimate breakfast indulgence. The natural fermentation process enhances the flavor, creating a perfect harmony of sweetness, subtle tang, and softness. You simply have to try this irresistible recipe!

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Ingredients

• 1/2 cup sourdough starter bubbly and active (113 grams)
• 4 cups all-purpose flour 540 grams
• 1/2 cup water 118 grams
• 1/2 cup melted butter
• 1/2 cup honey 168 grams
• 2 eggs
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt

Cinnamon Sugar Filling

• 1/2 cup softened butter 114 grams
• 1 cup brown sugar 200 grams
• 2 tablespoons cinnamon

Cream Cheese Topping

• 8 ounces cream cheese
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup heavy cream 120 grams
• 1/2 cup maple syrup or honey 168 grams for honey

Instructions

1. In the bowl of a stand mixer, combine active sourdough starter, flour, water, eggs, and melted butter. Mix together until smooth, and passes the windowpane test.
2. Place the dough in a greased bowl and cover with plastic wrap.
3. Allow to rest in warm place overnight, or up to 12 hours. 
4. The next day, preheat the oven to 375 degrees.
5. Add the baking soda, baking powder and salt to the dough and mix in the stand mixer on medium speed for about 5 minutes, or knead with you hands. Combine well.
6. In a separate bowl, combine softened butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon. Stir to combine.
7. Lightly dust the counter with flour, and roll out the dough into a 1/4 inch thick rectangle.
8. Spread the butter and cinnamon-sugar filling on top of the dough and spread evenly. 
9. Roll the dough up as tightly as you can. When you get to the end, pinch the edge into the main roll, to create a seam.
10. Slice to make 12 even rolls. 
11. Place the rolls into a well-seasoned 14" cast iron skillet or baking dish.
12. Bake at 375 degrees for 20-25 minutes or until the rolls are lightly browned and the dough is cooked through. Allow them to cool.

Cream Cheese Topping

1. In a medium saucepan, over medium heat, add cream cheese, heavy cream, maple syrup or honey, and vanilla extract. Stir until combined.
2. Pour over cinnamon rolls and enjoy.

Notes

• You will need active sourdough starter to make this recipe. Active starter refers to a starter that has been fed 4-12 hours before preparing the dough and is nice and bubbly.

Nutrition Information:

Yield: 12 Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 608Total Fat: 25gSaturated Fat: 15gTrans Fat: 1gUnsaturated Fat: 8gCholesterol: 97mgSodium: 424mgCarbohydrates: 90gFiber: 2gSugar: 50gProtein: 8g

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

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