Homemade Sourdough Cinnamon Rolls

Share This Recipe

These sourdough cinnamon rolls are a delightful twist on the classic recipe, incorporating tangy sourdough starter for added flavor and texture. Soft, fluffy, and filled with a sweet cinnamon filling, they make for a perfect breakfast or brunch treat.

The process involves making a dough that rises overnight, allowing the flavors to develop fully. With a simple icing on top, these rolls are sure to impress family and friends.

Table of Contents

Creating the Perfect Dough

To achieve the ideal texture for sourdough cinnamon rolls, the dough must be prepared with care. Start by combining your active sourdough starter with warmed milk, sugar, melted butter, and an egg. This mixture forms the base of your dough, providing both flavor and moisture.

Gradually incorporate flour and salt into the mixture. The amount of flour can vary, so add it slowly until a soft dough forms. Kneading the dough for about 5-7 minutes on a floured surface is essential for developing gluten, which contributes to the rolls’ fluffiness.

Letting the Dough Rise

Once kneaded, place the dough in a greased bowl, cover it, and allow it to rise. This can be done at room temperature for a quicker rise or in the refrigerator overnight for a more developed flavor. The goal is for the dough to double in size, which typically takes 2-3 hours at room temperature.

This first rise is crucial, as it allows the sourdough to ferment, enhancing the overall taste of the rolls. Patience during this stage will yield a more flavorful and airy result.

Preparing the Cinnamon Filling

While the dough is rising, it’s time to prepare the sweet cinnamon filling. Mix softened butter with brown sugar and ground cinnamon until well combined. This mixture will create a rich, gooey center that complements the fluffy rolls perfectly.

Once the dough has risen, roll it out into a rectangle and spread the cinnamon filling evenly across the surface. This step is where the magic happens, as the filling will create delightful spirals when the dough is rolled up.

Shaping and Second Rise

After spreading the filling, roll the dough tightly from one long side to form a log. Slice the log into equal pieces to create individual rolls. This shaping process is essential for achieving those beautiful spirals that make cinnamon rolls so appealing.

Place the sliced rolls into a greased baking dish, cover them, and let them rise again. This second rise allows the rolls to puff up, creating a light and airy texture. Expect this to take about an hour.

Baking to Golden Perfection

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) while the rolls are rising. Once they have puffed up beautifully, it’s time to bake them. The rolls should take about 25-30 minutes to turn golden brown and develop a lovely crust.

During the baking process, the aroma of cinnamon will fill your kitchen, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere. Keep an eye on them to ensure they don’t overbake, as you want a soft, tender roll.

Finishing Touches with Icing

While the rolls are baking, prepare a simple icing by whisking together powdered sugar and milk until smooth. This creamy glaze will add a sweet finish to your rolls.

Once the rolls are out of the oven and slightly cooled, drizzle the icing over the top. The contrast of the warm rolls with the cool icing creates a delightful experience for the taste buds.

Serve these sourdough cinnamon rolls warm, perhaps with a cup of coffee, for a perfect breakfast or brunch treat that will surely impress anyone who tries them.

Delicious Sourdough Cinnamon Rolls Recipe

This recipe yields soft and gooey cinnamon rolls with a rich filling of cinnamon and sugar, topped with a creamy glaze. The preparation time is about 30 minutes, with an overnight rise, and the total baking time is around 25-30 minutes.

Ingredients

1 cup active sourdough starter
1/2 cup milk, warmed
1/4 cup sugar
1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
1 large egg
3-4 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened (for filling)
1 cup powdered sugar (for icing)
2-3 tablespoons milk (for icing)

Instructions

Mix the Dough: In a large bowl, combine the sourdough starter, warmed milk, sugar, melted butter, and egg. Stir until well combined.
Add Flour and Salt: Gradually add 3 cups of flour and salt, mixing until a soft dough forms. If the dough is too sticky, add more flour, a little at a time.
Knead the Dough: Turn the dough onto a floured surface and knead for about 5-7 minutes until smooth and elastic.
First Rise: Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover, and let it rise at room temperature for about 2-3 hours or until doubled in size. Alternatively, refrigerate overnight for a slower rise.
Prepare the Filling: In a small bowl, mix the softened butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon until well combined.
Roll Out the Dough: On a floured surface, roll the dough into a rectangle about 1/4 inch thick. Spread the cinnamon filling evenly over the dough.
Shape the Rolls: Starting from one long side, roll the dough tightly into a log. Slice into 12 equal pieces.
Second Rise: Place the rolls in a greased baking dish, cover, and let rise for another hour until puffy.
Bake: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake the rolls for 25-30 minutes or until golden brown.
Make the Icing: While the rolls are baking, whisk together the powdered sugar and milk until smooth.
Glaze and Serve: Drizzle the icing over the warm rolls and serve immediately.