The Best Sourdough Cinnamon Rolls

Fluffy sourdough cinnamon rolls, made from scratch with active sourdough starter, filled with a gooey cinnamon filling and topped with a sweet glaze.

• Preparation Time: 45 mins
• Cooking Time: 35 mins
• Total Time: 1 hr 20 mins
• Calories: 894 Calories

Ingredients

• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 4 cups all-purpose flour
• 3 tablespoons ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon instant yeast
• 1 egg, at room temperature
• 1 cup brown sugar, or more to taste
• 1 cup fed sourdough starter
• 1 (4 ounce) package softened cream cheese
• 0.5 teaspoon salt
• 0.75 cup white sugar
• 0.25 cup softened butter
• 0.5 cup butter, melted and cooled
• 0.75 cup lukewarm milk
• 0.5 pound confectioners' sugar

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Grease a 9x13-inch baking pan.

Step 2

Transfer dough to a floured work surface; knead until dough comes together, 3 to 5 minutes. Place in a greased bowl. Cover with plastic wrap; let rise until doubled in volume, about 1 hour.

Step 3

Punch down dough and turn onto the floured surface. Roll into a square 1/4- to 1/3-inch thick. Spread 1/2 cup butter on top; sprinkle brown sugar and cinnamon on top. Tightly roll up dough; pinch seam together.

Step 4

Trim edges and cut log into 8 equal pieces using a sharp knife. Place rolls in the prepared pan. Cover with plastic wrap; let rise until not quite doubled in volume, about 45 minutes.

Step 5

To make the rolls: Combine 1 cup flour, starter, milk, white sugar, and yeast in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the dough hook. Let stand until spongy and bubbling, about 5 minutes. Add 1/2 cup butter, egg, and salt; stir to combine. Beat in remaining 3 cups flour, 1 cup at at time, until a soft, slightly sticky dough forms.

Step 6

Bake in the preheated oven until golden brown, about 35 minutes. Cool for 20 minutes before frosting.

Step 7

To make the frosting: Mix confectioners' sugar, cream cheese, 1/4 cup butter, and vanilla extract until frosting smooth and fluffy. Top cooled rolls with frosting.