🍥🔥 Sourdough Cinnamon Rolls

Soft, fluffy, tangy, buttery, cinnamon‑swirled — the cinnamon roll that ruins all other cinnamon rolls forever.

Fluffy sourdough dough, buttery cinnamon sugar filling, and a dreamy cream cheese icing — these Sourdough Cinnamon Rolls are the breakfast you’ll crave every single day.

Let’s talk about cinnamon rolls — the royalty of breakfast pastries. They’re warm. They’re gooey. They’re comforting. They’re the culinary equivalent of a cozy blanket, fuzzy socks, and a Hallmark movie all rolled into one.

But when you make them with sourdough? When you add that subtle tang, that extra depth, that “oh wow, what bakery did you buy these from?” flavor?

Oh honey… You’ve entered a new dimension of delicious.

These Sourdough Cinnamon Rolls are the Beyoncé of breakfast baking. They’re soft. They’re dramatic. They’re swirled. They walk into the room and suddenly everyone is hovering around the oven like it’s the season finale of their favorite show.

This recipe is everything you want in a cinnamon roll:

A soft, enriched sourdough dough
A buttery cinnamon sugar filling
A swirl that looks like a bakery display
A cream cheese icing that melts into every crevice
A flavor that’s sweet, tangy, warm, and nostalgic
A texture that’s pillowy, tender, and absolutely irresistible

It’s the kind of recipe that works for:

Weekend brunch
Christmas morning
General Conference breakfast
Baby showers
Neighbor gifts
“I need something cozy RIGHT NOW” cravings

💬 Reader prompt: Are you team “extra icing” or team “extra cinnamon swirl”?

We have tried everything, so we kind of gave up for a little minute, let our little beast just grow in the fridge for a couple of months, to the point we thought we had killed it. I thought it’s probably dead so I will buy a start online and give it a try.

Matt then decided to pull our probably dead start out of the fridge and feed it. It grew as it normally did, so now we have two different starts, and the newly purchased one does not smell as good as the old one.

Anyways, we used our old start to make these lovelies and they were freaking amazing! You should make your own and you won’t regret it!!

Sourdough Cinnamon Rolls

Ingredients

Dough
1 1/2 cup sourdough starter
3/4 cups milk (heat in the microwave for about 45 seconds)
2 tablespoons of butter, softened
1 egg, room temperature
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup granulated sugar
3 1/4 cups bread flour
1 envelope instant dry yeast

Filling
2 tablespoons butter, softened
3 tablespoons granulated sugar
3 tablespoons brown sugar
1 1/2 tablespoons cinnamon

Icing
1 stick of butter softened
1 (8 oz.) Package of cream cheese, softened
3 cups powdered sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 tablespoon milk

Sourdough Cinnamon Rolls

🍽 Directions

Step 1: Make the Dough

Combine sourdough starter, warm milk, butter, egg, sugar, and salt.
Add flour and yeast.
Mix until a soft dough forms.
Knead 8–10 minutes until smooth and elastic.

Step 2: First Rise

Place dough in a greased bowl.
Cover and let rise 1–2 hours until doubled.

Step 3: Shape the Rolls

Roll dough into a large rectangle.
Spread softened butter.
Sprinkle cinnamon sugar mixture evenly.
Roll tightly into a log.
Slice into 12 rolls.

Step 4: Second Rise

Place rolls in a greased baking dish.
Cover and rise 45–60 minutes.

Step 5: Bake

Bake at 350°F for 20–25 minutes.
Tops should be golden and centers soft.

Step 6: Make the Icing

Beat butter and cream cheese until smooth.
Add powdered sugar, vanilla, and milk.
Mix until creamy.

Step 7: Serve

Spread icing over warm rolls.
Watch it melt into every swirl.
Prepare for applause.

💬 Reader prompt: Do you frost while warm or wait until cool

🔢 Calorie Count (Per Roll, Approx.)

Calories: ~380
Protein: 6g
Carbs: 55g
Fat: 15g
Fiber: 2g
Sugar: 28g

🍥 Nutritional Facts & Fun

Sourdough: Natural fermentation + flavor depth
Cinnamon: Antioxidants + warmth
Butter: Softness + richness
Cream cheese: Tangy perfection
Bread flour: Structure + fluffiness

💬 Reader prompt: Should we try this with brown butter icing next time

👩‍🍳 Cooking Tips

Extra fluffy: Let dough rise fully — don’t rush it.
Extra gooey: Add more brown sugar to the filling.
Extra tangy: Use an active, bubbly starter.
Extra soft: Pour warm cream over rolls before baking.
Perfect swirl: Roll dough tightly and evenly.

🔄 Recipe Variations

🍫 Chocolate Cinnamon Rolls

Add mini chocolate chips.

🍎 Apple Cinnamon Rolls

Add sautéed apples to the filling.

🍁 Maple Cinnamon Rolls

Add maple syrup to the icing.

🥥 Coconut Cinnamon Rolls

Add shredded coconut.

🍊 Orange Cinnamon Rolls

Add orange zest to the icing.

💬 Reader prompt: Which version should we test next for the blog

🧒 Kid Tips

Add sprinkles to the icing — kids love it.
Make mini rolls for tiny hands.
Let kids help sprinkle the cinnamon sugar.
Serve with fruit to balance the sweetness.

🛒 Grocery Hacks

Sourdough starter: Keep it fed — it’s your baking pet.
Butter: Freeze extra sticks for baking season.
Flour: Bread flour = fluffiest rolls.
Cinnamon: Buy in bulk — you’ll use it.
Cream cheese: Store brands work great.

💬 Reader prompt: Are you a “cream cheese icing queen” or a “simple glaze forever” person

🎯 Reader Challenge

This week’s challenge: Make these Sourdough Cinnamon Rolls, snap a pic, and share it with #LouLouGirlsSourdoughMagic. Bonus points if your icing‑drip shot is dramatic enough to deserve its own slow‑motion reel.

🥪 Leftover Remix

(If you somehow have leftovers… which you won’t.)

Cinnamon Roll French Toast: Dip slices in egg + fry.
Cinnamon Roll Bread Pudding: Add cream + bake.
Cinnamon Roll Milkshake: Blend with vanilla ice cream.
Cinnamon Roll Trifle: Layer with whipped cream.
Cinnamon Roll Sandwich: Add cream cheese frosting between slices.

💬 Reader prompt: Which leftover remix should we feature next week

💭 Final Thoughts

These Sourdough Cinnamon Rolls are everything you want in a breakfast treat: soft, sweet, nostalgic, comforting, and ridiculously satisfying. They’re the kind of recipe that brings people together, sparks conversation, and makes everyone feel like they’re part of the fun.

They’re simple enough for a weekend, impressive enough for guests, and comforting enough for those “I need something delicious immediately” days.

Here’s the thing about cinnamon rolls: they’re never just cinnamon rolls. They’re an experience. A vibe. A whole mood.

And when you make them with sourdough? When you swirl them with cinnamon sugar and smother them in cream cheese icing? They become a full‑blown event.

These Sourdough Cinnamon Rolls are the kind that become a tradition. The kind your family requests again and again. The kind you make for holidays, potlucks, weekends, or “just because we deserve something delicious and cozy” moments.

But what I love most is how recipes like this build community. They bring people together around the table, spark laughter, inspire creativity, and remind us that food is more than fuel — it’s connection. It’s joy.

It’s the little moment in the day when everyone pauses, gathers, and enjoys something delicious together.

So here’s your mission: Make these rolls, share them with your people, and then tell me your twist. Did you go extra swirl Did you go extra icing Did you add apples, chocolate, or orange zest (I support this fully.)

Until then, may your dough rise beautifully, your swirls be dramatic, your icing be thick, your rolls be fluffy, and your kitchen filled with laughter, love, and second helpings.

Because at the end of the day, recipes like this aren’t just about baking — they’re about celebrating the little joys that make life delicious.

Sourdough Cinnamon Rolls aren’t just breakfast — they’re a lifestyle. 🍥🔥✨

21 thoughts on “Delicious Sourdough Cinnamon Rolls”

Hi! I just found this post at Rooted in Thyme, and these cinnamon rolls look amazing! I love sourdough, and will have to try this recipe with my sourdough start. Thank you!

My mouth is literally watering right this minute! I used to make sourdough bread all the time, but then I got out of the habit. This may have just got me back in! 😉 Pinning…

Oh yes, please! I'm a cinnamon roll freak. Need to get my butt in gear and make sourdough starter again. It's tricky keeping it alive in our cold house, though. :/

Our big leisure treat of the week is reading the "big" paper on Saturday mornings and eating a sweet treat. These look yummy. My son-in-law loves sour dough so these would be an extra treat. Pinning for later and really are looking forward to preparing these !!!

Oh I would love these. I remember when I was growing up, my mother always had a sourdough starter going. Looks delicious

These look amazing!!! This is definitely going onto my pinterest board!! I’d love to invite you to my new link party!! It’s still going on with only a few entries. Three of them get featured this Thursday!! Please come over! http://www.diy-crush.com/blog/4-non-scary-stick-puppet-spider-tutorials/

Cinnamon rolls are a favorite. These look amazing! Thank you for joining Home Sweet Home!

These look really, really good. Thanks for linking up with us this week.

I've never tried sourdough cinnamon rolls. It probably balances the sweetness out nicely. Pinned!

These really do look amazing, but I don't have a sourdough starter and probably won't get through the extra trouble. So, if I want cinnamon rolls then I'll just make the traditional ones. Thanks for sharing, though!

Hi! This sounds delicious! Thanks so much for sharing it at The Wednesday Roundup!! ~Angela~ LeMoine Family Kitchen

Oh my word! Two of my favorites combined. I haven't had any sour dough starter in forever…will have to correct that as I can't wait to make these!

Stopped by from Cookin' and Craftin' and so happy I did! Love your blog and will be a new follower.

xo
Pat

While things involving yeast tend to intimidate me, these look so delicious- what a great way to start the day!

I stopped by from Thursday Favorite Things.

I've never made sourdough cinnamon rolls-but I will now! YUM!!

Wow!! These look amazing!!

OMG, these are to die for. I have not had sour dough starter in years. I really need to make these, I am drooling here.
Thanks for sharing at Turn It Up Tuesday,
Bev

What beautiful cinnamon rolls – and such a great idea to use sourdough! Thank you for sharing with us at the Hearth and Soul hop. Pinning and sharing.

I love any thing with sourdough thanks for sharing with Hearth and soul blog hop, pinning.

Your Sourdough Cinnamon Rolls look amazing, we will just love them. Hope you are having a great day and thanks so much for sharing with Full Plate Thursday.
Come Back Soon!
Miz Helen

I love cinnamon rolls, and these look delish! I've never made them with sourdough or used a starter! I love that you bring things that are different and fabulous all at the same time! Thanks!