Here’s a soft, gooey, bakery-style sourdough cinnamon roll recipe that uses natural fermentation for flavor. You can choose overnight or same-day timing.
⭐ Sourdough Cinnamon Rolls
Ingredients
Dough
- 150 g active sourdough starter (100% hydration)
- 240 g warm milk
- 100 g sugar
- 100 g unsalted butter, softened
- 1 large egg
- 500–520 g all-purpose flour
- 8 g salt (1 ½ tsp)
Filling
- 100 g unsalted butter, softened
- 150 g brown sugar
- 1 ½ tbsp cinnamon
- (Optional) pinch of salt
- (Optional) 1–2 tbsp flour to make a spreadable paste
Cream Cheese Frosting
- 100 g cream cheese, softened
- 50 g unsalted butter, softened
- 120 g powdered sugar
- ½ tsp vanilla
- Pinch of salt
⏱️ Method
1. Make the Dough
- In a bowl, mix starter, milk, egg, sugar, and butter until mostly smooth.
- Add flour and salt.
- Mix/knead until dough is soft and slightly tacky (5–8 minutes).
- Place in a lightly oiled bowl, cover, and rest for 30 minutes.
2. Bulk Ferment
- Let rise until puffy, about 4–6 hours at warm room temp, or
- Overnight in the fridge for best flavor (recommended).
The dough won’t necessarily double—just become airy.
3. Make the Filling
Mix softened butter, sugar, and cinnamon into a smooth paste.
4. Shape the Rolls
- Roll dough into a large rectangle (about 14×20 in / 35×50 cm).
- Spread on the cinnamon filling.
- Roll up tightly from the long side.
- Slice into 12 rolls (floss or a sharp knife works best).
- Place in a greased 9×13 pan.
5. Final Proof
Let rolls get puffy and soft when poked:
- 2–4 hours at room temp, or
- Overnight in the fridge then bake in the morning.
6. Bake
- Bake at 375°F (190°C) for 22–25 minutes, until lightly golden.
7. Frost
Whip frosting ingredients until smooth.
Spread over warm rolls.
🍥 Serving Tips
- For ultra-gooey rolls: pour ½ cup heavy cream over the rolls right before baking.
- For stronger sourdough flavor: increase fermentation time or chill longer.
- Additions: raisins, chopped pecans, orange zest, or cardamom.
If you want, I can provide:
✅ A same-day, no-overnight schedule
✅ A detailed hour-by-hour timeline
✅ A vegan or gluten-free version
Just tell me!