Sourdough Cinnamon Rolls Recipe You Can’t Live Without
Sourdough cinnamon rolls served on a rustic wooden platter, topped with glaze, and accompanied by a cup of coffee and cinnamon sticks for a cozy breakfast setting.
Ingredients
Ingredients
- Sourdough Starter: This is the key to giving your cinnamon rolls that distinctive tangy flavor. Make sure your starter is active and bubbly. If you don’t have one yet, you can easily make it yourself or buy some from a local bakery.
- All-Purpose Flour: This provides the structure for your dough. Opt for unbleached all-purpose flour for the best texture and rise.
- Cinnamon: Freshly ground cinnamon will give your rolls that irresistible warmth and aroma. The scent alone will have you craving them!
- Granulated Sugar: This adds sweetness to your dough and helps with the rise. You'll also use it in the cinnamon filling for that perfect balance of sweetness.
- Brown Sugar: Brown sugar adds depth and richness to the cinnamon filling creating a delightful caramelized flavor that perfectly complements the cinnamon.
- Butter: Use softened butter for the dough to keep it soft and tender. You'll also need some melted butter for spreading over the dough before you sprinkle on the cinnamon sugar helping it all stick together.
- Eggs: Eggs help enrich the dough giving it a lovely golden color and contributing to its soft, airy texture.
- Milk: Milk makes the dough smooth and pliable. Full-fat milk will give it a richer texture but feel free to substitute with any dairy-free option like almond or oat milk.
- Salt: A pinch of salt brings out all the flavors balancing the sweetness and enhancing the dough's overall flavor.
- Active Dry Yeast: While the sourdough starter does most of the work a small amount of yeast gives your dough a little extra lift and ensures the rolls are soft and fluffy.
- Vanilla Extract: A splash of vanilla adds a warm subtle sweetness that rounds out the flavor of the dough.
Instructions
Instructions
- Prepare the Dough
- In a large mixing bowl, combine 1 cup of active sourdough starter, 1 cup of warm milk, and 2 tablespoons of melted butter. Mix gently to combine.
- Add 3 ½ cups of all-purpose flour, 2 tablespoons of granulated sugar, and 1 teaspoon of salt. Stir until everything is incorporated.
- Add 1 beaten egg and 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract. Mix to form a dough.
- If the dough is too sticky, add a little more flour—just be careful not to overdo it. You want a dough that’s soft but not overly sticky.
- Knead the Dough
- Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead for about 5-7 minutes.If you're unfamiliar with kneading dough, gently press your palms into the dough, fold it over, and keep repeating the process.It’s a great workout for your hands!
- The dough should be smooth, elastic, and slightly tacky to the touch. If it’s too sticky, sprinkle a little flour as you knead.
- Let It Rise
- Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl, cover it with a clean kitchen towel, and let it rise in a warm spot for about 1-2 hours, or until it has doubled in size. Patience is key here! If you want a more developed flavor, let it rise in the fridge overnight.
- Prepare the Cinnamon Filling
- While the dough rises, mix together ½ cup of melted butter, 1 cup of brown sugar, and 2 tablespoons of cinnamon in a small bowl. Stir until smooth and well combined. This sweet filling is what makes these rolls so irresistible!
- Shape the Rolls
- After the dough has risen, gently punch it down to release any trapped air bubbles.Turn it out onto a floured surface and roll it into a large rectangle about 12x18 inches.
- Spread the cinnamon filling evenly over the dough, ensuring you leave a small border around the edges. Then, carefully roll the dough up tightly, starting from the longer side.
- Once rolled, use a sharp knife or dental floss to slice the dough into 12 even pieces.
- Second Rise
- Place the rolls in a greased 9x13-inch baking dish, making sure they’re close together but not squished. Cover the dish with a towel and let the rolls rise for another hour, or until they’re puffy and touching each other.
- Bake the Rolls
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake the rolls for 20-25 minutes, or until they’re golden brown and have risen nicely. The kitchen will smell amazing during this step!
- Glaze or Frost (Optional)
- If you like your cinnamon rolls with a little extra sweetness, drizzle them with a glaze or frosting of your choice. You can make a simple powdered sugar glaze by mixing 1 cup of powdered sugar with 2-3 tablespoons of milk and a dash of vanilla extract. Alternatively, you can go for a cream cheese frosting for a richer touch.