Sourdough Discard Cinnamon Rolls
Soft, gooey cinnamon rolls made with sourdough discard. No waiting for yeast - ready in under 2 hours.
These cinnamon rolls are pillowy soft with swirls of cinnamon sugar and a cream cheese glaze. The sourdough discard adds incredible tenderness and a subtle tang that makes them taste less sweet and more complex.
Because they use baking powder instead of yeast, there is no long rise time - just mix, roll, and bake.
Instructions
- 1
Make Dough
In a large bowl, combine discard, warm milk, sugar, egg, and melted butter. In a separate bowl, whisk flour, baking powder, and salt. Add dry to wet and mix until a soft dough forms.
- 2
Knead
Turn dough onto a floured surface and knead gently for 2-3 minutes until smooth. Do not overwork - the dough should be soft, not stiff.
- 3
Roll Out
Roll dough into a rectangle approximately 30x40cm (12x16 inches). The dough should be about 5mm thick.
- 4
Add Filling
Spread softened butter evenly over the dough, leaving a 1cm border at one long edge. Mix brown sugar and cinnamon, then sprinkle evenly over the butter.
- 5
Roll and Cut
Starting from the long edge with filling, roll the dough tightly into a log. Pinch the seam to seal. Cut into 12 equal pieces using a sharp knife or dental floss.
- 6
Arrange
Place rolls cut-side up in a greased 23x33cm (9x13 inch) baking pan. They should be touching but not cramped.
- 7
Rest and Bake
Let rest for 15-20 minutes while preheating oven to 190°C (375°F). Bake for 22-25 minutes until golden brown.
- 8
Make Glaze
While rolls bake, beat cream cheese and butter until fluffy. Add powdered sugar and vanilla, beat until smooth.
- 9
Glaze and Serve
Spread glaze over warm rolls immediately after baking. Serve warm.
Tips & Notes
- Warm milk helps activate the baking powder for lighter rolls
- Use dental floss to cut the log cleanly without squishing
- Do not skip the rest time - it allows gluten to relax for tender rolls
- Glaze warm rolls so the frosting melts into all the swirls
- Can be made overnight: cover unbaked rolls and refrigerate, add 5 minutes to baking time
Why No Yeast?
Traditional cinnamon rolls require hours of rising. This version uses baking powder for lift, meaning you can have fresh cinnamon rolls in under 2 hours. The sourdough discard still provides complex flavor even without the long fermentation.
Variations
Orange Rolls
Add 1 tbsp orange zest to the filling and replace vanilla in glaze with fresh orange juice.
Apple Cinnamon
Spread a thin layer of apple butter over the dough before adding the cinnamon sugar.
Maple Pecan
Add 100g chopped pecans to the filling. Replace glaze with maple icing: mix 150g powdered sugar with 3 tbsp maple syrup.
Chocolate
Replace half the brown sugar with chocolate chips. Drizzle with chocolate glaze instead of cream cheese.
Make Ahead Options
Assemble rolls in the pan, cover tightly with plastic wrap, and refrigerate overnight. In the morning, let sit at room temperature for 30 minutes while preheating the oven, then bake as directed.