Description
These soft, fluffy, and perfectly sweetened sourdough cinnamon rolls are made with a naturally leavened dough, giving them a slightly tangy flavor. They’re filled with a buttery cinnamon-sugar mixture and topped with a luscious cream cheese frosting. Perfect for breakfast, brunch, or a special treat!
Ingredients
Units
Scale
Dough
- 1/2 cup (120g) active sourdough starter
- 3/4 cup (180ml) whole milk, warm
- 1/4 cup (50g) granulated sugar
- 4 tbsp (56g) unsalted butter, melted
- 1 large egg
- 3 cups (375g) all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp salt
Cinnamon Filling
- 4 tbsp (56g) unsalted butter, softened
- 1/2 cup (100g) brown sugar
- 1 tbsp ground cinnamon
Cream Cheese Frosting
- 4 oz (113g) cream cheese, softened
- 2 tbsp (28g) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup (120g) powdered sugar
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tbsp whole milk (if needed for consistency)
Instructions
-
Feed the Starter: Ensure your sourdough starter is active and bubbly before starting. Feed it 4-6 hours ahead if needed.
-
Make the Dough:
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together warm milk, sourdough starter, sugar, melted butter, and egg.
- Add flour and salt, then mix until a rough dough forms.
- Knead for about 8-10 minutes until the dough is smooth and elastic.
-
First Rise (Bulk Fermentation):
- Cover the dough and let it rise at room temperature for 8-12 hours (overnight) until doubled in size.
-
Prepare the Filling:
- In a small bowl, mix softened butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon until well combined.
-
Roll and Fill the Dough:
- On a floured surface, roll out the dough into a 12×18-inch rectangle.
- Spread the cinnamon filling evenly over the dough.
-
Shape the Rolls:
- Roll the dough tightly from the long edge into a log.
- Cut into 9-12 equal rolls and place them in a greased baking dish.
-
Second Rise:
- Cover and let them rise at room temperature for 2-4 hours or until puffy.
- (For a longer fermentation, place in the fridge overnight and bake in the morning.)
-
Bake:
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Bake for 20-25 minutes or until golden brown.
-
Make the Frosting:
- Beat cream cheese and butter until smooth.
- Mix in powdered sugar and vanilla extract until creamy.
- Add milk if needed for a thinner consistency.
-
Frost and Serve:
- Let the rolls cool slightly before spreading the frosting on top.
- Serve warm and enjoy!
Notes
- If you want a tangier flavor, let the shaped rolls ferment in the fridge overnight.
- You can replace whole milk with plant-based milk for a dairy-free version.
- For an extra gooey center, add a splash of heavy cream over the rolls before baking.