This sourdough discard cinnamon roll cake is everything you love about cinnamon rolls in an easy, shareable cake form. It’s soft, warmly spiced, and drizzled with a sweet glaze, turning your leftover discard into a comforting dessert that’s perfect for brunch, coffee breaks, or a cozy weekend bake. The gentle tang of your sourdough discard adds depth while reducing waste in your kitchen, making this cake as practical as it is delicious. If you’ve been looking for a beginner-friendly way to use your discard, this cinnamon roll cake will quickly become a favorite in your baking rotation.
Table of Contents
Sourdough Discard Cinnamon Roll Cake recipe
- Total Time: 60
- Yield: 9 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
A soft, warmly spiced sourdough discard cinnamon roll cake with a cinnamon sugar swirl and glaze, perfect for brunch or dessert.
Ingredients
1 cup sourdough discard (100% hydration)
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup sugar
1/2 cup melted butter
1 cup milk
2 eggs
2 tsp vanilla extract
2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
For cinnamon swirl: 1/2 cup brown sugar, 2 tbsp cinnamon, 2 tbsp melted butter
For glaze: 1 cup powdered sugar, 2-3 tbsp milk, 1/2 tsp vanilla
Instructions
1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×9 or round pan.
2. In a bowl, whisk eggs, sugar, milk, melted butter, vanilla, and sourdough discard.
3. Add flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Stir until just combined.
4. Pour half of the batter into the pan.
5. Mix brown sugar and cinnamon. Sprinkle half over the batter.
6. Pour remaining batter on top and sprinkle the rest of the cinnamon sugar mixture.
7. Drizzle 2 tbsp melted butter over the top.
8. Bake for 40-45 minutes until golden and a toothpick comes out clean.
9. While warm, whisk powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla to make glaze.
10. Drizzle glaze over the cake before serving.
Notes
Add chopped pecans or walnuts to the swirl for crunch.
Store covered at room temperature for 3 days or refrigerate for up to 5 days.
Warm slices before serving for best texture.
- Prep Time: 15
- Cook Time: 45
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Bake
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 24
- Sodium: 220
- Fat: 12
- Saturated Fat: 7
- Unsaturated Fat: 5
- Trans Fat: 0
- Carbohydrates: 48
- Fiber: 1
- Protein: 5
- Cholesterol: 65
Keywords: sourdough discard cinnamon roll cake, discard recipe, easy dessert
The Story & Intro
Baking Sourdough Discard Cinnamon Roll Cake in My Kitchen
One crisp Saturday morning in West Lafayette, I found myself craving cinnamon rolls but didn’t have the time for a long proof and shaping. I glanced at the jar of sourdough discard on my counter and decided to create something comforting without the fuss: a cinnamon roll cake that would capture the warmth of cinnamon rolls while using up my discard.
As the cake baked, the scent of cinnamon and sugar filled my kitchen, wrapping the house in a cozy blanket of warmth. It reminded me of the same contentment I feel when making sourdough discard pancakes for an easy weekend breakfast or baking a batch of sourdough discard coffee cake to share with neighbors.
Why You’ll Love This Cinnamon Roll Cake
This sourdough discard cinnamon roll cake is tender with a soft crumb, rich cinnamon sugar swirls, and a drizzle of sweet glaze that completes each bite. It’s a one-bowl, low-fuss recipe that uses your discard practically while transforming it into something beautiful. The cake slices easily, making it perfect for brunch gatherings, holiday mornings, or enjoying with your afternoon coffee while adding warmth and joy to your kitchen.
Using Discard in Cakes
Can I Use Sourdough Discard for Cinnamon Rolls?
Many home bakers ask, can I use sourdough discard for cinnamon rolls? Absolutely. Sourdough discard brings a gentle tang and softness to enriched dough, making cinnamon rolls richer in flavor while helping reduce waste in your kitchen. Although traditional cinnamon rolls require proofing and rolling, this sourdough discard cinnamon roll cake offers the same warm, spiced flavor without the time commitment, allowing you to enjoy the cozy comfort of cinnamon rolls with the ease of a one-bowl cake.
This approach is similar to how your sourdough discard waffles turn starter into a crisp, comforting breakfast or how sourdough discard raspberry cream cheese danishes transform discard into a bakery-worthy pastry. Using discard in sweet recipes like this cake is a practical, low-waste habit that adds warmth to your baking routine.
Can I Add Sourdough Discard to Cake?
Can I add sourdough discard to cake? Yes, and it’s one of the easiest ways to use your discard creatively. Sourdough discard adds moisture and a subtle tang to cake batters without requiring fermentation, which helps balance the sweetness of desserts while adding depth of flavor. In this cinnamon roll cake, discard works beautifully with milk, eggs, and butter, resulting in a soft crumb that pairs perfectly with cinnamon sugar swirls.
When adding discard to cake, ensure your discard is at room temperature and smells pleasantly tangy, not off or cheesy, ensuring your cake turns out soft, tender, and delicious while reducing waste in your kitchen in the easiest, coziest way possible.
Baking with Discard
Can I Bake with My Sourdough Discard?
Can I bake with my sourdough discard? Yes, and it’s one of the best ways to reduce waste while adding depth of flavor to your baking. Sourdough discard is simply a mix of flour and water that has developed natural acidity and flavor through fermentation. It’s safe to bake with as long as it smells pleasantly tangy and shows no signs of spoilage like mold, pink streaks, or a rotten smell.
Using discard in recipes like this cinnamon roll cake, or in sourdough discard crackers and sourdough discard lemon blueberry muffins, allows you to add a gentle tang to your recipes while benefiting from the structure and moisture discard offers to baked goods. It’s a practical, low-waste approach to making your baking more sustainable while creating delicious treats your family will love.
What Can I Make with a Straight Sourdough Discard?
You might wonder, what can I make with a straight sourdough discard? The beauty of discard is its versatility. Beyond this cinnamon roll cake, you can use discard in:
- Pancakes and waffles for easy weekend breakfasts.
- Crackers and flatbreads for quick savory snacks.
- Muffins, quick breads, and coffee cakes for cozy desserts.
- Enriched doughs like cinnamon rolls or dinner rolls for gentle tang and softness.
Because discard doesn’t require additional fermentation in these recipes, it becomes a flexible ingredient for adding depth, moisture, and flavor to your bakes while turning what would be waste into something nourishing and comforting for your kitchen.
Ingredients, Glaze, and Serving
Core Ingredients for Cinnamon Roll Cake
To make your sourdough discard cinnamon roll cake soft, fluffy, and warmly spiced, you will need:
- Sourdough discard for moisture and gentle tang.
- All-purpose flour for structure.
- Sugar for sweetness.
- Butter for richness and flavor.
- Eggs for binding and lift.
- Milk to create a tender crumb.
- Baking powder and baking soda to support rise.
- Cinnamon and brown sugar for the swirl.
- Vanilla extract for warmth.
This straightforward batter comes together easily, giving you the cozy cinnamon roll flavor without the time commitment of rolling and proofing. Much like your sourdough discard apple fritters or sourdough discard coffee cake, this cake makes using discard both practical and rewarding.
Glaze Options, Storage, and Serving Ideas
Glaze options:
- Classic powdered sugar glaze (powdered sugar + milk + vanilla).
- Cream cheese glaze for richness.
- Maple glaze for cozy fall mornings.
Storage: Keep the cake in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerate for up to 5 days. Warm slices briefly before serving for that fresh-from-the-oven feel.
Serving ideas:
- Serve warm for breakfast or brunch alongside coffee.
- Top with a drizzle of cream cheese glaze for a dessert treat.
- Pair with fresh fruit for a balanced snack.
This sourdough discard cinnamon roll cake is versatile, cozy, and designed to turn your discard into a beautiful centerpiece for brunch tables, coffee gatherings, or cozy weekends, keeping your baking joyful and low-waste.
FAQS
VIEW ALL
Can I use sourdough discard for cinnamon rolls?
Yes, sourdough discard adds gentle tang and softness to enriched dough, making it perfect for cinnamon rolls and recipes like this cinnamon roll cake while reducing waste in your kitchen.
Can I add sourdough discard to cake?
Absolutely. Sourdough discard adds moisture, a subtle tang, and structure to cakes without requiring fermentation, making your cakes soft, flavorful, and low-waste.
Can I bake with my sourdough discard?
Yes, as long as your discard smells pleasantly tangy and shows no signs of mold or spoilage, you can bake with it in cakes, crackers, muffins, and other recipes.
What can I make with a straight sourdough discard?
You can use straight discard in pancakes, waffles, muffins, crackers, flatbreads, and cakes like this sourdough discard cinnamon roll cake, transforming leftovers into practical, nourishing bakes.
Conclusion
This sourdough discard cinnamon roll cake is a cozy, easy way to transform your discard into a warmly spiced, tender cake perfect for brunch or dessert. It captures the comforting flavor of cinnamon rolls without the fuss while reducing waste in your kitchen. Let this cake bring warmth, joy, and practicality to your sourdough routine, turning simple ingredients into something worth sharing. More recipes? Follow me: Facebook – Pinterest.
