These Sourdough Cinnamon Buns are the best cinnamon rolls ever! There’s a bonus “sticky bun” layer at the bottom & cream cheese frosting on top. WOW!
Does anything in the world smell as good as freshly baked Cinnamon Buns? I know, stupid question.
I think we can all agree that even a bad cinnamon bun (aka cinnamon roll) is pretty good. But we can do better. Two things set this recipe apart from other Cinnamon Bun recipes.
First and foremost, the dough is made with sourdough starter instead of commercial yeast. If you love to bake bread but haven’t delved into the world of sourdough yet, I encourage you to dive-in head first.
If you don’t have one, check out my post to learn How to Make a Sourdough Starter. Then check out my system to Feed and Maintain Sourdough Starter.
You cannot imagine how a little sourdough starter enhances the taste and texture of any bread recipe. That’s a long-winded way of saying that these Sourdough Cinnamon Buns are extra yummy because of the starter.
Click through the slideshow to see how to assemble Sourdough Cinnamon Buns:
The other thing that sets this recipe apart is the result of a happy-mistake. Because I wanted lots of cinnamon sugar in the buns, I sprinkled a whole cup of sugar over the dough before rolling it up to form the buns.
This is an “overnight” recipe, so the assembled buns spend a night in the refrigerator. That’s great because you can do most of the work the day before and then bake the buns in the morning.
The first time I tested the recipe I found that during the overnight rest in the refrigerator some of the sugar “melted” and formed a syrup at the bottom of the pan.
But, hey, you know what? That syrup bakes up to form a sticky, gooey bottom layer on the buns, which is really quite nice. So I embraced the “mistake” and it’s now part of the recipe.
Tips for making great Sourdough Cinnamon Buns (sourdough cinnamon rolls)
- To work ahead the logs can be wrapped tightly in two layers of plastic wrap. Freeze for up to 3 months. Defrost the dough overnight in the refrigerator, then proceed with the recipe as listed.
- To bake the buns the same day instead of putting the pan in the refrigerator, let the the buns rise at room temperature until they almost fill the pan. Bake as directed.
- To get the chilled buns active I like to warm them up a bit. Turn on the oven for just a minute or two to get it just a little warm. Turn off the oven then place the pan with the buns in the barely warm oven. Once they’re starting to rise remove the pan from the oven. You can then preheat the oven while the buns finish rising.
So it’s kind of a twofer recipe; sticky bun on the bottom and iced cinnamon bun on top. Who’s going to complain about that? Not me!
Since you’ve got your starter fed, check out the entire list of My Best Sourdough Recipes. Have fun!
I know you hate to throw away that sourdough discard. Check out these recipes that use sourdough discard.
If you love this recipe as much as I do, please consider giving it a 5-star review.
Overnight Sourdough Cinnamon Buns
A long slow rise gives these Sourdough Cinnamon Buns an extra special flavor & texture. The warm buns are topped with cream cheese frosting for an indulgent breakfast or brunch treat, and there's a bonus "sticky bun" layer at the bottom of the buns.
Ingredients
For the Dough
- 1 cup active sourdough starter
- 1/4 cup warm water
- 1 cup (8 oz, 236 ml) warm milk (110°F)
- 4 cups (18 oz, 504g) unbleached all purpose flour
- 1/3 cup (3oz 74g) sugar
- ¼ cup (2oz 55g) unsalted butter, melted
- 1 egg
- 1 teaspoon salt
For Assembly:
- 1/2 cup (4 oz, 112g) granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup (4 oz, 112g) brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 cup (2 oz, 56g) unsalted butter, melted
- 1 egg for egg wash
For the Icing
- 1/4 cup (2 oz, 60g) cream cheese, room temperature
- 1/2 stick (2 oz, 60g) softened butter, room temperature
- 3 oz Confectioner's sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon lemon juice (optional)
Instructions
- In a mixer bowl combine the starter, water, milk and 2 cups of the flour. Mix to form a thick batter. Cover the bowl and set aside to rise for 30 minutes.
- Add the sugar, melted butter, egg and salt then mix to combine. Change to the dough hook if using a stand mixer. With mixer on low add the remaining flour, 1/2 cup at a time. The dough should be soft and elastic, will clear the sides of the bowl and gather on the hook. Knead for 2-3 minutes. If mixing by hand continue mixing and then kneading in the flour by hand. Dump the dough onto a lightly floured surface. Knead into a smooth ball.
- Transfer the dough to a lightly oiled bowl, turning once to coat the dough. Cover the bowl and set it aside at room temperature. After 30 minutes uncover the bowl, lift one side of the dough over into the middle of the dough. Repeat with the other three sides of the dough then flip the dough over. Cover the bowl and after 30 minutes repeat the procedure. Cover the bowl and after 60 minutes repeat the procedure. Cover the bowl and after 60 minutes repeat the procedure one last time. By now the dough should be lively, elastic and airy. If the dough is still sluggish give it another hour or two at room temperature.
- Generously brush a 9” x 13” baking pan with some of the melted butter, reserve the rest. In a small bowl, combine the granulated sugar, brown sugar and cinnamon. Turn the dough onto a floured surface without kneading out the air. Roll the dough to a 18" x 16" rectangle. Generously brush the surface of the dough with egg wash. You should use almost 1/2 the egg wash to get a good coating so the cinnamon sugar will stick. Sprinkle the cinnamon sugar over the egg washed dough. Use your hands to smooth out the cinnamon sugar to an even layer all the way to the edge of the dough.
- Working from the long side, tightly roll the dough into a log, pinch the seam to seal. Straighten out the log so it's of even thickness and is 18" long (see note 1).
- Use a serrated knife to cut the log into twelve 1.5" wide buns. Place the buns in the prepared pan. Generously brush the tops of the buns with the melted butter. Cover the buns with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight (see note 2).
- In the morning take the pan out of the refrigerator. You'll see some melted sugar in the bottom of the pan, this will form a sticky bottom as the buns bake. Allow the buns to proof at room temperature until they’re puffy and almost filling the pan, about 1.5 - 2 hours. The exact time needed for proofing will vary depending how active your starter was and the temperature of your kitchen. (see note 3)
- Preheat the oven to 375°F. Bake the buns until they're until golden brown and set in the center, 25-30 minutes.
- While the buns are baking, make the icing. Combine the butter and sugar in a mixing bowl and cream until well combined. Add the cream cheese and whip until well aerated. Add the vanilla and optional lemon juice. The lemon juice will spark the flavor of the icing but it's ok to go without.
- Remove the buns from the pan to a serving plate while they are still warm. Spread cream cheese icing generously over the buns and indulge.
Recommended Products
As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Karen
A little sticky bun action on the bottom is a happy surprise! I need to feed my starter and try these.
Eileen
Thanks, Karen!
Pavani
I am literally drooling over those soft, fluffy and delicious cinnamon rolls. Adding sourdough must have made them tangy and delicious.
Eileen
Thanks, Pavani! I’ve got several dozen in the freezer if you want to stop by .
Cindy
I’ve never had much luck with sourdough starter. I’m willing to try it again for these rolls!
Eileen
Thanks, Cindy.
Stacy
Nothing smells better than cinnamon buns baking! Nothing. Sadly, I just had to throw my sourdough starter out because it had been neglected for so long that it turned on me. But I am willingly to give it a go again, if only to try your gorgeous overnight buns, Eileen. That sticky bottom!
Eileen
I can’t tell you how many times I’ve brought my starter back from the brink. It’s hard to remember to revive it once it gets shoved to the back of the fridge.
Wendy
They are gorgeous and I can just about smell the cinnamony goodness.
Eileen
Thanks!
Chef Mireille
I would love to wake up to these – Perfectly rolled with no spaces! These look so delicious!
Kalyani
Cinnamon bakes are so much my weakness I feel like a kid at the bakery / stall that sells these. the sourdough would have lent a deper flavour and texture, Elleen ! gorgeous looking rolls, and perfect with a hot cuppa !
sneha datar
These smell so good, look so stunning.
Candace
Wonderful dough. Easy breezy to work with.
Eileen Gray
Thanks!
Chelsea
If my house runs cold (60 degrees through the night) could I just leave them out at room temp all night?
Eileen Gray
Probably.
Editing to add: I had previously frozen cinnamon buns that I defrosted, sliced and put in the refrigerator on Christmas eve afternoon for Christmas morning. Later on Christmas eve night they were still quite cold so I took them out and left them on the counter overnight. By about 8 the next morning they were perfectly risen and ready to bake. So I would say if the buns are quite cold and your house is cool you can certainly leave them out overnight.
Olivia Burkholder
Can these be frozen?
Eileen Gray
Yes, I have frozen the unbaked log. Then defrost, cut and proceed with the recipe.
I’ve also frozen the baked buns (uniced). A few second in the microwave to warm up. I froze a bag of the baked buns with a sandwich bag of the icing in the same bag. It’s easy to just scoop out enough icing for the number of buns you will defrost.