Sourdough Discard Cinnamon Rolls

Sourdough Discard Cinnamon Rolls

🍥 Sweet, Swirly Love—With a Side of Sourdough Charm!

 

Sourdough Discard Cinnamon Rolls

Looking to jazz up your breakfast game and make your sourdough discard the superstar of your kitchen? These Sourdough Discard Cinnamon Rolls are what cozy weekend dreams are made of! Gooey, soft, buttery, and packed with cinnamon sugar goodness, they’re everything you love about homemade rolls—with a tangy twist. 💕

A New Spin on Classic Comfort

Let’s be real—there’s something nostalgic and magical about pulling a tray of cinnamon rolls out of the oven. That smell? Total hug in aroma form. And if you’ve been riding the sourdough train like the rest of us (thanks, quarantine hobbies), you know that feeling of guilt tossing out that precious discard. Enter: Sourdough Discard Cinnamon Rolls.

This recipe is the ultimate mashup—taking the tangy edge of sourdough starter and blending it with melt-in-your-mouth cinnamon sugar swirls. It’s the perfect excuse to use that discard and treat your family (or yourself, we don’t judge) to something spectacular.

We always are trying to have an easy but delicious breakfast for Christmas morning. Cinnamon rolls are easy because you can make them the day before and pull them out when the kids wake up and start baking them. Then when the presents are open you have the perfect breakfast.

We always ate cookies on Christmas morning so this is basically the same thing. I love the discard rolls though because it gives great chew on the cinnamon rolls. This makes 24 cinnamon rolls, you can cut the recipe in half if you need to. 

Sourdough Discard Cinnamon Rolls

Ingredients

• 600 grams warm water
• 18 grams dry active yeast
• 250 grams sourdough starter discard
• 1020 grams bread flour
• 55 grams white sugar
• 12 grams of salt
• 60 grams olive oil
• 1 1/2 cups brown sugar
• 3 tablespoons cinnamon
• 2 sticks of butter (divided, softened), plus some for greasing the pan 
• 3 cups powdered sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 1/4 cup heavy whipping cream

Sourdough Discard Cinnamon Rolls

Directions

1. In a bowl of your standing mixer, combine the warm water and the yeast. Stir and then let the yeast sit for 10 to 15 minutes to proof.
2. Add the sourdough starter and stir until incorporated.
3. Add in the remaining ingredients and then on a low setting, using the dough hook of the mixer knead everything together. Continue to mix until the dough pulls away from and cleans the sides of the bowl. 
4. Pull out of the bowl and grease the bowl and then let sit for 45 minutes to an hour or until the dough has doubled in size. 
5. Punch down the dough and turn it out on a lightly greased surface and punch down. Divide the dough in half, I find it’s easy to cut into 24 different rolls.
6. In a bowl mix the cinnamon and brown sugar and stir until blended.
7. Roll out into a rectangle shape 9×13 about, then spread half a stick of softened butter onto the first half, then spread half of the cinnamon sugar mixture on the butter. 
8. Roll the dough as tight as possible and then cut into about 1 inch slices.
9. Repeat with the remaining ingredients and second half of dough.
10. Place cinnamon rolls onto a 2 butter greased 9×13. Cover and let rest in the fridge overnight for up to 24 hours. 
11. When you are ready to eat pull out of the fridge for 1 to 2 hours then preheat the oven to 400 degrees and bake for 20 to 30 minutes or until they are golden brown.
12. Pull from the oven, while they cool slightly make the frosting. Using the remaining softened stick of butter, powdered sugar, vanilla, and whipping cream and put them in a bowl and whip until smooth. Top the cinnamon rolls! Enjoy!

Sourdough Discard Cinnamon Rolls

🔍 Calorie Count & Nutritional Breakdown (Per Roll)

💡 Please note: nutrition may vary slightly depending on the size of each roll and any tasty toppings you add!

 

Sourdough Discard Cinnamon Rolls

🧑‍🍳 Cooking Tips: From Novice to Cinnamon Roll Champion

• Proof That Yeast: Don’t rush that 15-minute yeast proofing step. It makes all the difference between fluffy clouds and dough bricks.
• Dough Hydration: This dough is relatively hydrated, so don’t be tempted to keep adding flour—just trust the process and let the mixer work its magic.
• Chill Overnight: The fridge step? DO NOT skip it. It deepens the flavor, makes slicing easier, and lets the rolls hold their shape beautifully.
• Room Temp Reminder: Letting them come to room temp before baking ensures a perfectly risen, golden roll.

 

Sourdough Discard Cinnamon Rolls

🌈 Recipe Variations to Make Your Own Magic

Feeling inspired? Switch things up with these dreamy spins:

• Orange Zest Delight 🍊: Add orange zest to the filling and swap the vanilla in the frosting for orange extract.
• Nutty Crunch 🥜: Toss in some crushed pecans or walnuts to the cinnamon-sugar filling.
• Cream Cheese Frosting Swap 🧁: Ditch the whipped cream and go classic with a cream cheese frosting.
• Apple Pie Cinnamon Rolls 🍏: Layer finely chopped apples into the filling for an autumn-inspired vibe.

 

👶 Kid Tips: Little Helpers in the Kitchen

• Dough Slapping Fun: Let kids “punch down” the dough. It’s therapeutic and hilarious!
• Spreading the Butter: A butter spatula and a fearless kid = dreamy teamwork.
• Creative Toppings: Set up a frosting bar and let them sprinkle crushed cereal, sprinkles, or fruit on top.

🧒 Warning: sugar-fueled kitchen dance parties may ensue.

 

 

Sourdough Discard Cinnamon Rolls

❤️ Why These Rolls Deserve a Spot in Your Family Recipe Book

There’s something warm and wonderful about cooking something from scratch—especially when it blends old traditions with new flavors. These sourdough cinnamon rolls are a total love letter to indulgence, and a subtle nudge to use every bit of that starter you nurture so carefully. Plus, they freeze well and reheat like a dream. That means you can whip up a double batch and treat yourself ANY day of the week. Fancy Tuesday rolls, anyone?

 

Sourdough Discard Cinnamon Rolls

✨ The Roll That Started a Thousand Smiles

Whether you’re a seasoned sourdough veteran or just dipping your toes into baking magic, these Sourdough Discard Cinnamon Rolls are more than just breakfast—they’re an experience. Sweet, swirly, and spectacularly soft, they’re a reminder that great food doesn’t need to be complicated—it just needs love (and maybe a little extra butter).

So go ahead—tie that apron, preheat that oven, and bake the kind of roll that turns a simple morning into a cozy celebration. Your tastebuds will thank you, and your sourdough starter will finally feel appreciated. 🧡

Did you try our Sourdough Discard Cinnamon Rolls? What did you think? Did you love them? We would love to hear from you! Please leave us a comment below or tag us on Instagram! 

 

SOUR DOUGH RECIPES

 

Sourdough Discard Pizza Dough is the best pizza dough for a quick dinner.

 

 

Here is a great sourdough discard rolls recipe! Matt likes these better than my other rolls. 

 

 

Sourdough Discard Brownies are everything you could ever want in a dessert.