Sourdough Cinnamon Rolls with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe

If you’ve been hunting for a cinnamon roll recipe that’s a little different but absolutely irresistible, I’m so excited to share my Sourdough Cinnamon Rolls with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe with you. I love these because they combine the tangy depth of sourdough with the cozy, gooey cinnamon sugar filling topped with a luscious cream cheese frosting — basically, all the best parts of a cinnamon roll but elevated with that natural sourdough magic. Whether you’re baking for a lazy weekend breakfast or impressing friends, this recipe is sure to become your go-to.

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Ingredients You’ll Need

These ingredients work beautifully together to give you that perfect balance of flavor, texture, and richness. Don’t skimp on the quality of your sourdough starter or cream cheese — they really make a difference.

• Active Sourdough Starter: Make sure it’s bubbly and lively for the best rise and flavor infusion.
• Warm Milk: Use about 110°F so you don’t kill the starter but help activate it.
• Dark Brown Sugar: This gives the filling and dough a deep, molasses sweetness. Light brown works okay, but dark is best.
• Unsalted Butter: Melted for the dough and softened for the filling to keep things rich and creamy.
• Salt: Balances the sweetness and enhances overall flavor.
• Large Egg: Brings structure and richness to the dough.
• Bread Flour: Offers the right protein content for a sturdy yet tender crumb.
• Heavy Cream: Warmed and poured over just before baking for extra softness.
• Ground Cinnamon: The essential warming spice for that iconic filling.
• Cream Cheese: Room temperature for a smooth frosting that melts perfectly.
• Powdered Sugar: For a silky sweet frosting texture.

Variations

I’m a big fan of customizing these rolls depending on the season or mood. You can easily swap out spices or add mix-ins to make the recipe your own.

• Swap Cinnamon for Chai or Pumpkin Spice: I tried this during fall and everyone loved the cozy twist.
• Add Nuts or Chopped Apples: Toasted pecans or diced apples add great texture and flavor.
• Use Dairy-Free Butter and Cream Cheese: Works just as well if you want a vegan or dairy-free option.
• Gluten-Free Flour Blend: For a gluten-free version, try a reliable blend, but expect the texture to change slightly.

How to Make Sourdough Cinnamon Rolls with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe

Step 1: Mix and Activate Your Starter

Start by combining your active sourdough starter, dark brown sugar, and warm milk in your mixer bowl. Make sure the milk isn’t too hot — 110°F is perfect since anything hotter can kill the yeast in your starter, and you want it lively! Mix it on low just until everything comes together. This step wakes up your starter and sets the tone for a flavorful dough.

Step 2: Add Butter, Salt, and Egg

Next, mix in melted butter, salt, and a room temperature egg. The butter adds richness, the salt balances flavor, and the egg helps with texture and structure. Give everything a good low-speed mix until fully combined, making sure the dough starts looking a little smoother.

Step 3: Knead in the Flour

Switch to your dough hook, and add the bread flour in batches. I like to add about a half cup at a time and scrape the bowl sides between additions to make sure everything is evenly incorporated. You’ll know you’ve got enough flour when the dough pulls away from the bowl and feels tacky but not sticky when you poke it with your finger. Knead for about 5 more minutes, letting the gluten develop nicely.

Step 4: First Rise — Patience is Key

Cover your dough with a clean towel, plastic wrap, or even a reusable shower cap (yes, that’s my trick) and let it rise in a warm spot until doubled in size. This can take 6-7 hours at around 70°F, so this is perfect if you start early or let it ferment overnight. Keep in mind that cooler kitchens will slow the rise, but that just adds more flavor complexity.

Step 5: Shape and Fill Your Rolls

Once your dough has doubled, turn it out onto a lightly floured surface. Roll it into a 16×12 inch rectangle — this size works perfectly for nine rolls. Spread softened butter evenly over the dough, then sprinkle the cinnamon-sugar mixture on top. This is my favorite part because the smell just fills the kitchen! Start rolling the dough up from the long end closest to you, making a nice tight roll. Trim uneven edges and cut into 9 equal pieces using dental floss or a sharp knife. Placing rolls about an inch apart in a buttered 9×9 baking dish prepares them for their second rise.

Step 6: Second Rise — The Final Puff

Cover the pan with a damp towel and let the rolls rise again until puffy and noticeably bigger — about 3-4 hours in a warm kitchen. If you need to slow things down, no worries: you can cover and refrigerate the shaped rolls overnight, then take them out and allow them to come back to temperature and puff before baking. I usually place mine in my turned-off oven with just the light on, creating a cozy rise spot that doesn’t overheat the dough.

Step 7: Bake with Warm Heavy Cream

Preheat your oven to 350°F. Just before baking, pour the warm heavy cream over the rolls — this little step keeps them super soft as they bake. Pop them in for 30-35 minutes until golden and a thermometer reads around 190°F internally. Your whole kitchen will smell amazing!

Step 8: Whip Up the Cream Cheese Frosting

While the rolls cool slightly on a wire rack, whip together softened butter and cream cheese until smooth. Add powdered sugar and a tablespoon of heavy cream, blending until silky. When the rolls are warm (not piping hot), spread the frosting generously over the top so it melts into every crevice — trust me, that’s the best part.

How to Serve Sourdough Cinnamon Rolls with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe

Garnishes

I typically keep garnishes simple because these rolls are super rich on their own. Sometimes I sprinkle a pinch of flaky sea salt on the frosting before it sets — that sweet-and-salty contrast is magic! A light dusting of powdered sugar or a few toasted pecans on top can also add a nice touch, especially if you’re serving guests.

Side Dishes

These cinnamon rolls pair wonderfully with a hot cup of coffee or chai tea. For brunch, I like serving them alongside scrambled eggs or a fresh fruit salad to balance the indulgence. A warm mug of apple cider also complements the cinnamon notes beautifully.

Creative Ways to Present

For birthdays or special breakfasts, I’ve baked these rolls in a large cast iron skillet and sprinkled edible flowers or chopped toasted nuts on top for a rustic, eye-catching centerpiece. Wrapping each roll in parchment paper tied with twine makes for a charming gift, too!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Leftover cinnamon rolls keep best in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days. I always recommend bringing them to room temperature for at least an hour before eating — it helps the frosting soften and the dough regain that just-baked feel.

Freezing

I’ve had great success freezing both shaped unbaked rolls and fully baked cooled ones (without frosting). For unbaked, pop the rolls in a freezer-safe bag after they’re frozen solid and bake from thawed following the rising step. For baked ones, thaw overnight and warm in the oven before frosting. Freezing doesn’t sacrifice any of the sourdough flavor or texture — a real time saver!

Reheating

To reheat, I gently warm leftovers in a 350°F oven for about 10-15 minutes wrapped loosely in foil so they stay moist. If you have frosting stored separately, spread it on right after warming for that freshly-made vibe. Microwave works in a pinch but I prefer the oven method for even warmth and texture.

FAQs

Final Thoughts

I absolutely love how this Sourdough Cinnamon Rolls with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe brings together the art of sourdough baking with a classic comfort food favorite. When I first tried incorporating my starter into cinnamon rolls, I didn’t expect such a perfect balance of tanginess and sweetness — it blew me away. I used to struggle with getting rolls tender and flavorful, and this recipe solved that with simple tricks like the warm cream pour and dental floss slicing. Give it a try, and I promise your mornings will never be the same — your family and friends will go crazy for them, too!

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