Cinnamon Swirl Sourdough Loaf

This soft, lightly sweet sourdough loaf is layered with cinnamon sugar for a warm, cozy flavor in every bite. Made with either active sourdough starter or discard, it’s a perfect way to enjoy a sweet treat while using up extra starter. The result is a tender, golden loaf that’s delicious for breakfast, dessert, or an anytime snack.

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Prep Time 20

Cook Time 40

Custom (Fermentation & Rise Time) 6

Total Time 7

Servings: 10 Slices

Course: Breakfast, Dessert

Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients

Adjust using the scale: 1x, 2x, or 3x for larger batches
300 g bread flour
100 g active sourdough starter or discard
150 g water
50 g sugar
50 g melted butter
5 g salt
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 tsp ground cinnamon
For Cinnamon Sugar Layer:
¼ cup sugar
2 tsp ground cinnamon

Method

Instructions

In a large bowl, combine the bread flour, water, and sourdough starter. Mix until fully incorporated. Cover and let rest (autolyse) for 30 minutes.
Add Remaining Ingredients
After resting, add sugar, melted butter, salt, vanilla extract, and cinnamon to the dough. Mix until everything is well combined.
Cover the bowl and let the dough rise at room temperature until doubled in size, about 3–4 hours. For more flexibility, refrigerate overnight instead.
Prepare Cinnamon Sugar
In a small bowl, mix ¼ cup sugar with 2 tsp cinnamon. Set aside.
Shape the Dough
Lightly flour your work surface. Gently stretch the dough into a rectangle.
Add Cinnamon Sugar Layer
Evenly sprinkle the cinnamon sugar mixture over the surface of the dough. Fold the dough in thirds (like a letter) to create layers.
Form the Loaf
Shape the folded dough into a loaf and place it into a greased loaf pan.
Final Rise
Cover and let the loaf rise for 45–60 minutes, or until noticeably puffy.
Preheat Oven
While the dough finishes rising, preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
Bake
Bake the loaf for 35–40 minutes, or until golden brown and the internal temperature reaches 200°F (93°C).
Cool and Serve
Allow the loaf to cool completely before slicing. Enjoy as-is or toasted with butter!