The Best Sourdough Cinnamon Rolls

Prep time: 45 min
Cook time: 35 min
Servings: 8
Yield: 8 servings

Description

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

Ingredients

4 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup fed sourdough starter
3/4 cup lukewarm milk
3/4 cup white sugar
1 teaspoon instant yeast
1/2 cup butter, melted and cooled
1 egg, at room temperature
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup butter, melted and cooled
1 cup brown sugar, or more to taste
3 tablespoons ground cinnamon
1/2 pound confectioners' sugar
1 (4 ounce) package softened cream cheese
1/4 cup softened butter
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions

1 Gather all ingredients.
2 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.
3 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.
4 Transfer dough to a floured work surface; knead until dough comes together, 3 to 5 minutes.
5 Place in a greased bowl. Cover with plastic wrap; let rise until doubled in volume, about 1 hour.
6 Punch down dough and turn onto the floured surface. Roll into a square 1/4- to 1/3-inch thick.
7 Spread 1/2 cup butter on top; sprinkle brown sugar and cinnamon on top. Tightly roll up dough; pinch seam together.
8 Trim edges and cut log into 8 equal pieces using a sharp knife. Grease a 9x13-inch baking pan.
9 Place rolls in the prepared pan. Cover with plastic wrap; let rise until not quite doubled in volume, about 45 minutes. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
10 Bake in the preheated oven until golden brown, about 35 minutes. Cool for 20 minutes before frosting.
11 To make the frosting: Mix confectioners' sugar, cream cheese, 1/4 cup butter, and vanilla extract until frosting smooth and fluffy.
12 Top cooled rolls with frosting.