Soft and Fluffy Sourdough Cinnamon Rolls Recipe
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These homemade Sourdough Cinnamon Rolls are everything a cinnamon roll should be—soft, extra fluffy, and packed with that classic cinnamon sugar swirl. What I love most about this recipe is the balance of flavor—the rich cinnamon filling with just a hint of that signature sourdough tang. Honestly, I (and everyone who’s tried them) think they’re even better than traditional cinnamon rolls!
I share plenty of make-ahead options so that these sourdough cinnamon rolls can easily fit into your busy schedule, but if you’re short on time, my Sourdough Discard Cinnamon Rolls are a great quicker option and ready in about 2 hours.
Quick Look: Sourdough Cinnamon Rolls
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Fermentation Time: 9 hours
- Bake Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 10 hours
- Servings: 9 cinnamon rolls
- Calories: ~481 kcal per serving (based on nutrition panel)
- Cook Method: Baked
- Flavor Profile: Soft, fluffy, and perfectly sweet with warm cinnamon swirled through every layer. The rich, buttery dough pairs with that classic gooey filling and a luscious cream cheese frosting on top, all balanced with a slight sourdough tang that makes them extra irresistible.
- Difficulty: Intermediate – Cinnamon rolls take a little time and patience with the dough and rising, but the steps are simple and totally doable. If you’ve baked with yeast or sourdough before, you’ll feel comfortable jumping right in!
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Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- A good cinnamon roll should be soft, puffy, and slightly chewy. This recipe gives you sourdough cinnamon rolls that hit all of those marks. If you’re looking for something faster, my Sourdough Discard Cinnamon Rolls are ready in just 2 hours!
- Gut-friendly-Because these rolls use a fed, bubbly sourdough starter, the flour naturally breaks down during fermentation. That makes the rolls easier to digest while still giving you that subtle sourdough tang. If you enjoy long-fermented bakes, these Sourdough Orange Rolls are another tasty treat you’ll appreciate.
- Make-Ahead/Overnight option-You can prep the rolls the night before and bake them in the morning, which makes them perfect for holidays or slow weekends. Want something else that’s also great to make ahead for easy baking the next morning? Try these Sourdough Discard Lemon Blueberry Sweet Rolls.
Ingredients & Substitutions
* To find precise measurements, scroll to the bottom of this post to find the recipe card*
Cinnamon Rolls:
- Bread Flour – For the fluffiest sourdough cinnamon rolls, I recommend using bread flour. The higher protein content gives a better rise, creating a soft and chewy roll.
- Milk -I used whole milk, but you can substitute your favorite non-dairy milk.
- Active Sourdough Starter –A bubbly and active starter gives the best rise and the puffiest dough.
- Dark Brown Sugar – Provides a richer, almost caramel-like flavor. You can use light brown sugar instead if that’s what you have.
- Unsalted Butter – Softens the dough for a chewier bite.
- Large Egg – Adds extra moisture to the dough.
- Salt – Any unrefined salt will do, but I really like Redmond’s Unrefined Salt for the extra minerals.
Filling:
- Unsalted Butter – Use softened, room-temperature butter for easy spreading.
- Dark Brown Sugar – Can substitute with light brown sugar.
- Ground Cinnamon – Adds the warm, spicy flavor sourdough cinnamon rolls are known for.
Frosting:
- Cream Cheese – Room-temperature cream cheese makes it easy to mix into a smooth frosting.
- Butter – Softened butter blends right in with the cream cheese.
- Heavy Cream – Adds just enough liquid so the frosting spreads easily and melts slightly over warm rolls.
- Powdered Sugar – Sweetens the frosting and makes it creamy without any graininess.
Baking Time For Sourdough Cinnamon Rolls
|
Time |
Process |
|---|---|
|
DAY 1 |
Step |
|
4:00 PM |
Mix dough |
|
DAY 2 |
|
|
10:00 PM |
Shape and place unbaked rolls in the fridge |
|
6:00 AM |
Second rise |
|
9:00 AM |
Bake |
MAKE-AHEAD Option
If you want to prepare these Sourdough Cinnamon Rolls the night before and bake them the next morning, here’s how to do it.
Option #1:
You can mix the dough just before bed and let it rise and ferment overnight. The next day, shape the rolls and let them rise a second time before baking.
Option #2:
Prepare the cinnamon roll dough and shape the rolls the night before. Place the covered baking dish in the fridge overnight. Pull out the unbaked rolls 1–4 hours before baking to allow them to rise and get fluffy.
Since this is an enriched dough, it can take longer to rise. The rise time will also depend on your kitchen temperature. A cooler kitchen slows the bulk fermentation and final rise, while a warmer kitchen speeds it up. Then bake as usual.
How to Make Sourdough Cinnamon Rolls
Make the Dough
- In the bowl of a stand mixer with the paddle attachment, combine the active starter, brown sugar, and warm milk. Make sure the milk isn’t hotter than 120°F, or it could kill the starter and prevent the dough from rising. Mix on low speed until fully combined.
- Add the melted butter, salt, and egg and mix on low until incorporated.
- Switch to the dough hook attachment. Add the flour, mixing on medium until incorporated, then knead for 5 minutes on medium speed.
- Cover the bowl and leave the dough to double in size.
Shape the Rolls
- Transfer the dough to a lightly floured surface. Roll into a 16×12-inch rectangle.
- Spread softened butter over the entire rectangle of dough.
- In a small bowl, mix brown sugar and cinnamon, then sprinkle over the buttered dough.
- Using a pizza cutter, cut the dough into 9 equal pieces and roll.
- Cut into 9 equal pieces using unflavored dental floss, string, a sharp knife, or a pizza cutter.
- Grease a 9×9 baking dish or 2-quart dish with butter and place the rolls about 1/2–1 inch apart.
- Cover with plastic wrap and let rise for a second time (second rise) until puffy, about 2–4 hours. If not baking the same day, cover and store the unbaked rolls in the fridge overnight. Pull out before baking and let rise until puffy.
Bake
- Preheat the oven to 350°F.
- Just before baking, pour heavy cream over the rolls for extra softness.
- Bake for 30–35 minutes, or until the tops are golden brown.
- Remove from the oven and cool on a wire rack.
Make the Cream Cheese Frosting
- In a large bowl, beat room-temperature cream cheese and butter for 1–2 minutes.
- Add heavy cream and powdered sugar and mix until smooth.
- Spread frosting over warm rolls so it melts into all the cracks and crevices.
- Grab a roll and take a bite, see how you like it. I’m 100% sure you won’t stop at one!
McKenna’s Helpful Tips
- Lightly flour your countertop. This keeps the sticky dough from sticking and makes rolling and shaping easier.
- Dough will be slightly tacky. That’s normal! Resist adding too much flour. You want the rolls soft and fluffy.
- Stand mixer helps. It saves time and keeps your hands clean, but you can knead by hand if you prefer.
- Watch the rise, not the clock. The dough is ready for shaping when it’s doubled in size, dome-shaped, and airy. Temperature affects rise times, so be patient.
How to Store
Keep leftover cinnamon rolls in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a day. For longer storage, refrigerate for up to three days and let them sit at room temperature for at least an hour before serving. To reheat, warm in the oven at 300°F for 5–10 minutes or microwave a single roll for 20–30 seconds. For extra softness, brush lightly with butter after warming.
Sourdough Cinnamon Rolls FAQs
Can I use all-purpose flour instead of bread flour?
Yes you can, but bread flour is best. Its higher protein content gives the dough a better rise and a softer, chewier roll. All-purpose flour will work, but the rolls may be slightly denser.
Can I make these sourdough cinnamon rolls overnight and bake them in the morning?
Absolutely. After the first rise, shape the rolls and store them covered in the fridge overnight. Pull them out a few hours before baking so they can rise and puff up before going into the oven. Or if you need something quicker, make my Sourdough Discard Cinnamon Rolls – they’re ready to bake in just 2 hours!
Do I need a stand mixer to make the dough?
No, you can knead by hand if you don’t have one. A stand mixer just makes it faster and keeps your hands cleaner, especially with sticky dough.
Why is my dough so sticky?
Sticky dough is normal with sourdough and enriched rolls. Avoid adding too much extra flour, as this can make the rolls dense. Lightly oiling and flouring your countertop and rolling pin helps when rolling and shaping.
If you tried this Sourdough Cinnamon Rolls Rolls recipe or any other recipe on my blog, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it went in the 📝 comments below. Thanks for visiting!
FULL RECIPE TUTORIAL
Sourdough Cinnamon Rolls Recipe
Yield: 9 Sourdough Cinnamon Rolls
Sourdough Cinnamon Rolls are so soft, extra fluffy and beyond delicious! You won't be able to get over the sweetness from the cinnamon-sugar filling and luscious cream cheese frosting which perfectly balances the sourdough tang we all love!
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Ingredients
Sourdough Cinnamon Rolls
- 100 grams active sourdough starter 1/3 cup
- 175 grams warm milk 3/4 cup
- 30 grams dark brown sugar *see notes 2 Tablespoon
- 57 grams unsalted butter, melted 4 Tablespoons
- 5 grams salt 3/4 teaspoon
- 1 large egg room temperature
- 370 grams bread flour 2 1/2 cups + 2 Tablespoons
- 120 grams heavy cream, warm (just before baking) 1/2 cup
Filling
- 57 grams unsalted butter, softened 1/4 cup
- 150 grams dark brown sugar 2/3 cup
- 12 grams ground cinnamon 2 Tablespoons
Cream Cheese Frosting
- 28 grams unsalted butter, room temperature 2 Tablespoons
- 55 grams cream cheese, room temperature 2 ounces
- 15 grams heavy cream 1 Tablespoon
- 90 grams powdered sugar 3/4 cup
Instructions
Pro-tip: For the best results, be sure to use a kitchen scale for precise measurements.
DOUGH
- Add active starter, dark brown sugar and warm milk to the bowl of a stand mixer with the paddle attachment. Be sure that the milk isn’t boiling (no hotter than 120 F) – this could kill the starter and prevent the dough from rising.The dough can also be mixed and kneaded by hand. Increase the knead time to 8-10 minutes.Light brown sugar can be substituted for dark brown sugar.100 grams active sourdough starter, 175 grams warm milk, 30 grams dark brown sugar *see notes
- Mix on low speed until the ingredients are mixed thoroughly.
- To the bowl, add the melted unsalted butter, salt, and a large room temperature egg. Mix on low until fully combined.57 grams unsalted butter, melted, 5 grams salt, 1 large egg
- Switch the paddle attachment with the dough hook attachment. Then, mix in the flour, adding 70g (1/2 c) at a time, and mix on medium until incorporated. Stop to scrape the sides of the bowl with a rubber spatula in between each addition of flour. You know the dough will have enough flour when the dough is pulling away from the sides of the bowl while it is being kneaded and when the dough feels tacky, not sticky, when you poke it. The dough should also pass the windowpane test, which means you can stretch out the out a piece of the dough and light can pass through it without it ripping. (If measuring by cups, be sure to fluff up the flour and spoon it into the measuring cups for a more precise measurement.)370 grams bread flour
- Continue to knead the dough for 5 more minutes at medium speed.
- Remove the dough and place it in a lightly greased straight-edge bowl. For the first rise, cover the bowl with the plastic cover or plastic wrap and let the dough rest in a warm spot to double in size. In my 70 degree F kitchen this took about 6-7 hours. The rise times can vary depending on the temperature of your kitchen. The warmer your kitchen, the faster the dough will rise. The opposite is true for cooler kitchens.I love this straight-edge bowl as it allows me to clearly see when the dough is done rising.
*See Notes below for Make-ahead options*
SHAPE
- Once the dough has doubled in size, remove the dough onto a clean work surface. With a rolling pin, shape the dough into a 16 inch by 12 inch rectangle.
- Spread the softened butter over the entire surface of the sourdough cinnamon roll dough.57 grams unsalted butter, softened
- In a small bowl, stir together dark brown sugar and ground cinnamon.Light brown sugar can be substituted for dark brown sugar.150 grams dark brown sugar, 12 grams ground cinnamon
- Sprinkle the cinnamon sugar mixture on the entire surface of the dough.
- Starting at the long end closest to you, roll up the homemade cinnamon rolls into a long snake. Cut off the uneven edges, then divide into 9 equal pieces with unflavored dental floss, string, or a sharp knife. (about 1 3/4 inches per roll)Or, using a pizza cutter, slice the dough into 9 even stripes, then roll each into a roll for a more polished look.
- Grease an 9 x 9 inch baking dish, 2 quart baking dish or large cast iron skillet with butter before gently placing the Sourdough Cinnamon Rolls inside, about 1/2 – 1 inches apart.
- Cover with plastic wrap and let rise for a second time until they have noticeably grown and look puffy. This took about 3-4 hours in my 70 degree F kitchen.
- Not ready to bake these in the same day? No worries! See directions in the Notes below.
BAKE
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Just before baking, pour warmed heavy cream over the Sourdough Cinnamon Rolls. The extra moisture from the heavy cream will keep the cinnamon rolls extra soft while baking.120 grams heavy cream, warm (just before baking)
- Bake the Sourdough Cinnamon Rolls for 30-35 minutes or until the tops are golden brown and the internal temperature is 190 degrees F. If the cinnamon rolls are browning too quickly, cover them with aluminum foil and continue baking.
- Remove from the oven and place the cinnamon rolls on a wire rack to cool slightly.
Cream Cheese Frosting
- While the cinnamon buns are cooling, prepare the cream cheese frosting.
- In a large mixing bowl, mix unsalted butter and room-temperature cream cheese until combined. Add powdered sugar and heavy cream and blend until smooth.28 grams unsalted butter, room temperature, 55 grams cream cheese, room temperature, 15 grams heavy cream, 90 grams powdered sugar
- Using an offset spatula, spread the cream cheese frosting over the warm cinnamon rolls so that it can slightly melt into all of the cracks and crevices. Serve warm and enjoy!
Notes
This recipe card was updated on 03/06/26.
Sample Baker’s Schedule
Day 1 4 pm – Mix dough 10 pm – Shape and place unbaked rolls in the fridge Day 2 6 am – Second rise 9 am – Bake ** This schedule is made for a 68-70 degree environment. Higher temperatures will quicken the process. Lower will lengthen the process.MAKE-AHEAD Options
If you are looking to prepare these Sourdough Cinnamon Rolls the night before and bake them the following morning – here are some options and tips! Option 1: Prepare the dough and once it has doubled in size, over the bowl and chill in the fridge overnight. The following morning, shape the cinnamon rolls and allow them to rise and get fluffy in a warm place before baking as normal. Since the dough is cool from the fridge, the second rise will take longer to complete. Option 2: Prepare the dough and shape the cinnamon rolls the night before, then pop the covered baking dish into the fridge overnight. Pull out the unbaked rolls to allow them to rise and get fluffy in a warm place. In my 70 degree F kitchen this took about 3-4 hours. Option 3: Prepare the dough and shape the cinnamon rolls, then pop the covered baking dish into the freezer overnight. Once frozen solid, place the sourdough cinnamon rolls into a freezer-safe bag and store for up to 1 week for the best results. When ready to bake, place the frozen cinnamon rolls in a greased baking dish. Cover and place them in the refrigerator the night before. The next morning, take them out of the fridge and allow them to rise in a warm place until fluffy. Again, in my 70 degree F kitchen, this took about 3-4 hours.Bake, Freeze & Reheat
Otherwise, you can bake the cinnamon rolls as normal, then allow them to cool to room temperature. DO NOT ICE WITH FROSTING. Cover the rolls tightly with plastic wrap and place them in a freezer-safe bag. When ready to enjoy, allow the rolls to thaw on the counter top at room temperature or in the fridge overnight. Once thawed, reheat them in a 350 degree F oven for about 15 minutes or until warmed through. Top with icing and serve! **Since this is an enriched dough, it can take longer for the dough to rise. The rise time will also depend on the temperature of your kitchen. A cooler kitchen will have a longer final rise, while a warmer kitchen will be quicker. Bake as normal.HOW TO SERVE
There’s nothing better than warm Sourdough Cinnamon Rolls fresh from the oven, with slightly melted frosting on top! Serve warm with a cup of your favorite tea or hot coffee for a blissful morning treat.HOW TO STORE
Store leftover cinnamon rolls in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days. I like to remove them from the fridge for at least an hour before serving so that they are brought back to room temperature.FAQS
CAN I USE ALL-PURPOSE FLOUR INSTEAD OF BREAD FLOUR?
This recipe can be prepared with all-purpose flour, but I would highly recommend only using bread flour. Bread flour contains a higher protein content, which allows for the dough to have a great rise. This gives you the softest and most chewy bite. All-purpose flour will rise, but in my experience, they were more dense.CAN I MAKE THESE OVERNIGHT AND BAKE THEM IN THE MORNING?
Absolutely! After the bulk fermentation, shape the Sourdough Cinnamon Rolls the night before and store them in the fridge until the next morning. Remove the cinnamon rolls from the fridge for at least 3-4 hours before baking to allow the rolls to rise and puff up before baking. Then bake like normal!Nutrition
Serving: 1g | Calories: 481kcal | Carbohydrates: 64g | Protein: 7g | Fat: 22g | Saturated Fat: 13g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 6g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 78mg | Sodium: 262mg | Potassium: 136mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 31g | Vitamin A: 760IU | Vitamin C: 0.1mg | Calcium: 83mg | Iron: 1mg
Tried this recipe?Please leave a comment on the blog or share a photo on Instagram!
I can’t believe the softness and fluffyness of the cinnamon rolls, so delicious, thank you for sharing the recipe 🌹
Thank you so much for this kind comment! Thrilled to hear you loved this recipe as much as we do 🙂
Could I use regular whole milk instead of heavy cream?
You can pour whole milk over cinnamon rolls, however using heavy cream will give you a more decadent and moist result!
Is there a way to not use the kitchenaid dough hook? Could I mix by hand after I’ve used the paddle attachment? I doubled the recipe and it was maybe a little too much dough for my kitchenaid lol. She was bouncing all over the place!
Yes, you can knead the dough by hand! Do so until the dough passes the windowpane test.
I made these up last night and baked today after church. They are deliscious!! Thank you so much for sharing! I have to admit I was leery about pouring the heavy cream over them before I put them in the oven, but wouldn’t you know it, everything really does get absorbed and the rolls are very moist.
Yay! So thrilled to hear you loved them. The heavy cream is such a game-changer!
Mine weren’t fluffy 🫣 I did the first rise then cut them into rolls placed into a glass pan overnight and got them out at 3:46 AM this morning and didn’t bake until 7 AM. I had them proofing in the oven as well with water in another pan to help with humidity. Any ideas what I did wrong? These were dense unfortunately 😞
Hi Chelsea! So sorry to hear that. Dense cinnamon rolls could happen due to multiple reasons, but the most common are either the starter wasn’t active or the dough needed a longer bulk fermentation. Had the dough risen at least 50%?
Can you do the bulk fermentation in the fridge overnight?
Hi Amy! Yes, you can do an overnight bulk fermentation in the fridge, however, due to the cooler temperatures, this step will take much longer.
How far ahead can the rolls be made? How long is too long to sit in the fridge pre-bake?
I wouldn’t keep the shaped cinnamon rolls in your fridge longer than 24 hours, otherwise they might overproof.
Will the rolls lack fluffiness if you don’t add the heavy cream? I’m trying to do modifications for my dairy-free kiddo.
The heavy cream helps to make the rolls extra moist, but they will still be soft and fluffy without it!
At hour 6 it hadn’t risen for first rise time. So I suck it in my oven. It did finally rise but has been like 16 hours is it safe to still bake with ?
If your kitchen is cooler, it will take your dough longer to rise. Once it has risen, it should be ready to bake!
Wanting to bake these Christmas morning but also have plans Christmas Eve. Would I be able to leave the cinnamon rolls in the fridge for 2 nights you think?
The max I would leave unbaked cinnamon rolls in the fridge would be 24 hours, otherwise they might run into the possibility of over proofing.
Okay thank you! So sounds like freezing them unbaked is my best bet in preparing them further ahead of time. Are the baking instructions any different with the frozen cinnamon rolls?
I wondered about this also? Do you leave them out to thaw first? Or bake from frozen? Also when do you put them in the freezer?
These cinnamon rolls can be frozen once they have been shaped. The frozen dough will need to thaw and puff up for it’s second rise before being baked as the recipe instructs. Do not rush this step! If they dough has not puffed it, it will bake up dense. Happy baking!
For making ahead, have you tried freezing the cinnamon rolls and then thawing and baking? We will be traveling and I’d love to make these on Christmas, but I won’t have time before to make it all.
You can freeze rolls before or after they have been baked. I would recommend freezing baked rolls without the frosting!
How long can I leave them in the fridge after shaping? Is there a max?
Up to 24 hours!
When I use a Dutch oven do I leave it covered or uncovered?
These sourdough cinnamon rolls should be baked uncovered.
I have always been intimidated to make homemade cinnamon rolls but your recipe made that fear go away. They were so incredibly easy and hands down the most delicious thing I’ve ever made with sourdough. My family is so happy and stuffed and have requested them next week already! This is a keeper for sure.
I absolutely love this, Gina! So thrilled to hear that you and your family enjoyed this recipe. Thank you so much for the kind comment!
Omg! This recipe is amazing. I did a few substitutions to lower the sugar content like using Monkfruit (I only used 1/2 cup instead of 3/4) for the icing and a brown sugar monkfruit combo in the filling. They were absolutely wonderful. Thank you!
So glad you enjoyed them!
These are the best cinnamon rolls I’ve ever made! I even made them with cold (healthy) starter from my fridge and the timeline was still about the same. Your recipes never disappoint, and at this point whenever I’m looking for a specific sourdough recipe I always check your website first! Highly recommend!
Oh my goodness, these were so yummy and so soft. Thank you for sharing
So thrilled to hear you enjoyed it! Thank you for sharing!
Can you let them proof on counter over night rather than fridge like I do with boules
Hi Lexie! Yes, you can bulk ferment and proof them at room temperature. If you can do this overnight depends on the temperature of your kitchen. In my 70 degree F kitchen, it took 6-7 hours to bulk ferment. If your kitchen is colder than mine, then you could potentially leave the dough to bulk ferment overnight. How this helps!