Sourdough Cinnamon Rolls | Gut-Friendly, Refined-Sugar Free Recipe

A gut friendly twist on a traditional favorite dessert: Cinnamon Rolls! You can enjoy these delicious sourdough cinnamon rolls guilt free with none of the refined sugars, additives (preservatives and emulsifiers), and inflammatory oils. By using sourdough starter as one of the main ingredients in the batter, this makes the cinnamon rolls a gut friendlier option by helping break down gluten as well as phytic acid making it easier to digest on the gut.

What Makes These Sourdough Cinnamon Rolls Nourishing and Gut-Friendly

At Made with Barakah, food is both nourishing and intentional. These sourdough cinnamon rolls are:

• Gut-friendly: The natural fermentation process helps break down gluten and phytic acid, making the dough easier to digest and more nutritious.
• Free from refined sugars and inflammatory oils: We use organic coconut sugar and avoid refined sweeteners and inflammatory oils—so you can enjoy without guilt.
• Rich in mindful and nutritious ingredients: Grass-fed butter (or coconut oil alternative), coconut sugar, and ceylon cinnamon support hormone balance and metabolic health.

Ingredients That Nourish

When baking sourdough cinnamon rolls, consider ingredient swaps that boost their nutritional profile:

1. Organic, unbleached flour → supports a cleaner fermentation
2. Grass-fed butter or ghee → provides healthy fats for hormone health
3. Coconut sugar or raw and unfiltered honey → more mineral-rich than refined sugar
4. Ceylon cinnamon → known for its blood sugar balancing benefits

Ingredients You’ll Need

For the Dough (The Batter)

• ½ cup active sourdough starter
• 2¾ cups King Arthur all‑purpose flour
• ½ cup warm water
• 2 pasture‑raised eggs
• ¼ cup coconut oil (nourishing and stable)
• ¼ cup grass‑fed butter (softened or melted)
• 2 Tbsp organic vanilla coconut sugar
• 1¼ tsp sea salt

For the Filling

• 3 Tbsp Ceylon cinnamon (known for its blood‑sugar supportive properties)
• 2 Tbsp grass‑fed butter (softened or melted)
• ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
• ½ cup organic vanilla coconut sugar
• 1 tsp vanilla bean paste
• ¼ tsp sea salt

For the Topping

• 1 Tbsp Maldon sea salt flakes
• 1 Tbsp Ceylon cinnamon for extra aromatic pop

Instructions

1. Prepare the Dough

1. Combine the starter, flour, warm water, eggs, coconut oil, butter, coconut sugar, and sea salt in a bowl.
2. Perform a stretch and fold for 3 minutes until the dough forms a cohesive ball.
3. Let ferment at room temperature for 6–8 hours, until doubled in size.
4. After bulk fermentation, refrigerate the dough for 10–12 hours for an overnight cold proof.

2. Roll, Fill, and Shape

• Remove dough from fridge and roll into a rectangle on a lightly floured surface.
• Mix together the filling ingredients and spread evenly.
• Roll into a tight log, then cut into 8 pieces.

3. Final Proof & Bake

• Place each roll on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Cover and proof at room temperature for 1–2 hours until puffy.
• Preheat your oven to 400 °F. Bake for 20–25 minutes, until golden and fragrant.
• Finish with a sprinkle of Maldon sea salt flakes and extra Ceylon cinnamon for sensory delight.

Functional Nutrition Benefits

• Enhanced Digestibility: Sourdough fermentation reduces phytic acid and makes these sourdough rolls easier to digest.
• Blood Sugar Support: Coconut sugar and minimal sweetening paired with high‑quality fats helps balance healthy glucose response.
• Hormone-Nourishing Ingredients: Grass‑fed butter, coconut oil, and aromatic spices like Ceylon cinnamon support metabolic and hormonal balance.

Tips

• Ensure your starter is active and bubbly for the best rise and flavor.
• Stretch and fold helps develop structure gently—no heavy kneading needed.
• Cold proofing (overnight fridge rest) deepens flavor and eases digestion
• Keep an eye on proofing times—warmer environments will speed things up.
• Warm rolls slightly before serving to enhance texture and aromatic spiciness.

Conclusion

As an Integrative & Functional Nutrition Dietitian and founder of Made with Barakah, I believe food should be nourishing, supportive of your wellbeing, and enjoyable. These sourdough cinnamon rolls are a perfect example: a cozy sweet treat that is gut healthy, supports hormonal balance, and includes nourishing ingredients.