I wanted to finish 2015 making one more sourdough recipe for a number of reasons. First; to remember Selma, a blogging friend, who left us way too soon this past summer – she is missed by so many of us. She gifted me with some of her sourdough starter Twinkle – all the way from England back on April 2, 2015. I was thrilled with her generosity and that she took the time to share this way with someone she only knew virtually. She renewed my interest in sourdough baking which was always Gene’s favorite bread. By the way I named my starter Rosebud – They say you should give your starter a name and that way you won’t forget it. Sourdough starters need to be fed, used and taken care of. 🙂
Below is the package it came in, Selma’s note to me, and the dried starter from Twinkle.
Secondly, I was motivated by Jhuls, another favorite blogger, who has lots of good recipes, stories and charm to go with it. She recently made Selma’s Nutella Espresso Sticky Buns and that’s when a “light went on”. Be sure to check out her yummy recipe – I mean we all love Nutella, don’t we?
Finally, I am cutting way back on carbs, temporarily anyways . Unfortunately, I have put on weight this past year that desperately needs to come off. Making bread is one big area where I can do that.
This recipe is adapted from designs by jeanne r. I have changed some of the ingredients and directions. I’ve been wanting to make cinnamon rolls for a long time and there has been such a flood of recipes to choose from. When I read “sourdough” “my favorite sourdough recipe” and the sponge is made the night before I knew her recipe would be good. Those of us who bake with a sourdough starter know how much flavor an overnight rise can add.
Let me tell you, this is one of the best breads I have ever made – I guess the cinnamon, orange zest and creamy icing helped! If you want something extra special for New Year’s make these!
Normally, I do not post three recipes in a week but this is a special occasion – besides I’m a co-host!
Just click on the cute froggy below and come join the party with your favorite and best recipes, perhaps a story or maybe a song. Much thanks to Angie, our dedicated and creative host and the 4 co-hosts for this special party: Judi (me), Mollie, Steffi and Suzanne.
Sourdough Cinnamon Rolls
- 1/2 cup sourdough starter, fed or unfed
- 1 cup evaporated milk
- 2 cups flour
Combine the above ingredients in a large bowl. The dough is sticky and on the thick side. Cover and leave on the counter at room temperature overnight. I always turn the light on in my oven and stick my bread in there.
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted and cooled
- 3 tbsp. sugar
- 1 egg
Combine the above three ingredients and add to the sourdough sponge.
- 1-1/2 cups flour
- 1/2 tsp. baking soda
- 1 tsp. baking powder
- 1 tsp. salt
- 1 tsp. Vietnamese cinnamon
Add all of the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and turn out onto a floured board. Knead until it doesn’t stick to the board. You can see (I think) from the picture below that the dough was not sticky and rolled very easily. I was glad I chose to knead it by hand rather than in my stand mixer as the cinnamon smell was heavenly to work with.
Roll the dough into a rectangle, 8″ x 16″. Brush the dough with 2 tbsp. melted unsalted butter, and sprinkle with a mixture of a 1/4 cup brown sugar and 1-1/2 tsp. Vietnamese cinnamon. More cinnamon… yum!
Roll up the dough, lengthwise. Cut into 1-3/4-inch pieces and dip each side in additional unsalted butter. Place in a buttered 9-inch baking dish. Cover loosely and let rise in a warm place for about 1 hour. I covered it with saran wrap, then a towel and placed in the oven with the light on. After 45 minutes I removed the rolls and turned my oven on.
Remove covering and bake at 375°F for 25 to 30 minutes, or until the crust is a golden brown.
Glaze:
- 2 cups confectioners’ sugar, sifted
- 1 tsp. vanilla
- enough milk to reach your desired consistency
- orange zest, minced finely – this adds a really nice flavor (I used the zest of a small tangerine)
Combine the above ingredients and drizzle over the rolls while they are still warm.
Recipe by cookingwithauntjuju.com
Selma-that dear lady. I have on Tasty Kitchen.com a memorandum posted in her honor (She was also a member). I clearly recall you posting about the twinkle sourdough starter she graciously sent you! Happy New Year! Cheryl
That was awful sweet of you Cheryl! I sure did post recipes and refer to Selma with my pancakes and boule bread. It’s so much fun to work with and just brings good memories. Happy New Year to you and the Best in 2016 🙂
Keep cooking Aunt JuJu!
Yum yum yum….I love cinnamon rolls..but I am really scared to bake any form of bread…With every recipe I see, I’ll decide to bake then later drop the idea..I’m in love with these pictures..hopefully this time I’ll do it!!!
Baking bread is so rewarding Lina and there is no better smell than it baking in your kitchen – with the cinnamon in these rolls the aroma was really heavenly. Happy New Year 🙂
Thanks….Happy new year to you too:)
The rolls look delicious! Happy New Year! 🙂
Thanks so much as they really turned out delicious and baked perfectly. Happy New Year and the Best in 2016 🙂
Seeing Selmas handwriting made my heart miss a beat 😞 it’s lovely to see you using Twinkles offspring, I’ve been baking more sourdough loaves recently too.
Happy 2016 Judy xxx
Thanks Elaine – I didn’t know Selma that well, certainly nothing like the relationship you two had, but I felt a sort of bonding with her. Happy New Year and the Best to you and your family in 2016 🙂
I think sourdough has bonded so many of us, and Selma created that 🙂
xx
What a lovely memory, Juju! I think that by only eating homemade bread most people would automatically cut back on carbs as we consume most of them unwittingly and in prepared foods. (Says I, a few kilos too heavy after eating a large portion of homemade spaghetti …)
Wishing you all the best for the next year!
Thanks Steffi – I love good memories connected to food 🙂 Carbs are my downfall; pasta, bread, pizza – just going to watch it for awhile. I’ll probably go into “carb withdrawal”. Happy New Year and keep the partying down now 🙂
Selma -will always remain in our hearts…. btwn delicious – flavorsome rolls … Happy new year..
Thanks Chitra – the rolls turned out perfectly and so good with the cinnamon filling and a hint of orange in the icing. Selma will always be with us 🙂
Judi, those are amazing!!
Thanks Suzanne – they were delicious!
I have yet to activate my starter that I got from Selma. I did name it though so hopefully it won’t turn on me due to my neglect. I don’t know why I am letting Sourdough intimidate me. Like Gene, Sourdough is John’s favorite too. These rolls look delicious. I’ve got some weight to take off too. It’s just a life long balance.
Your bread group does not get into making sourdough bread? Especially with all of the great bread recipes you make. KAF always has some of the best recipes and unusual ones like cakes. Like any bread it is just following the directions and using your own judgement when needed. Gene loved his bread and it sounds like John does too 🙂 I pulled a muscle in one of my legs and then didn’t exercise or do my workout for a couple of months – that got it started. 2016 will be different 🙂
My bread group does sourdough within some of their challenges, but I haven’t made a sourdough as a part of any of them. John loves his bread. He gets a double bread whamy from his Irish mother and Italian father! I promise sourdough will be a part of my 2016. I also want to get in good shape again now that my hip is getting stronger. Here’s to 2016 Judi!
I agree Julie – here’s to 2016!!!
Sweet Selma. What a lovely tribute to her, Judi. I hope you had a wonderful Christmas. 🙂
Thanks Patty – good to hear from you. I had a nice holiday and I am looking forward to a new year. Happy Holidays and the Best to you in 2016 🙂
I do remember reading about dear Selma’s passing in another blog. I had never followed her at the time but this is a lovely tribute to her!
Thanks so much – she was everyone’s friend and always there if you needed her 🙂
Selma truly touched many hearts. <3 Happy 100th Fiesta Fridays! Cinnamon breads look yummy!
She was such a kind and thoughtful person! Happy Fiesta Friday #100 Fae. The rolls turned out too good 🙂
Oh, Aunt Juju! What a wonderful post you have here. I love that you used your starter for this big celebration and the rolls are lovely and delicious! It’s good to remember Selma especially with occasions like this. And thanks for the mention and kind words, too. 🙂
Btw, I also have another delicious food to bring to the big celebration. I hope you will all like it. xx
Thanks Jhuls – the rolls were delicious – between yours and mine we are going to have a very good, but sweet, breakfast/brunch for FF #100. I use the sourdough starter every now and then to keep it going but making cinnamon rolls is something I have been wanting to make. 🙂 I will check out your new post…
I am inspired to make cinnamon rolls next time. 🙂
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Oh, I bet these are good! I can just smell the sourdough. Such a thoughtful gift. Happy New Year!
Thanks – Shame on me as I ate one whole roll and they were very big rolls! Happy New Year and the Best to you in 2016!
These cinnamon rolls sound amazing and this post is such a lovely tribute. I’ve baked bread before, but never sourdough. I’ve often thought about trying to, but it’s for some reason, I’m really intimidated by it. Maybe one day soon. Have a Happy New Year!
Thanks so much Natalie – you should give sourdough a try. You just have to do a little planning but it’s really just another ingredient that adds some great flavor. Best to you in 2016 🙂
I’ve been reading Cooked by Michael Pollen and he has a large section on sourdough bread and the process involved to make it. I think 2016 sounds like a good year to give it a go, lol
Do give sourdough bread a try – you won’t be disappointed 🙂
Judi, the sour dough cinnamon rolls look absolutely picture perfect. What a fabulously kind way to remember a dear friend!
Thank you Sandhya – the lighting in my kitchen is not too good – color can be off! Unfortunately most of my pictures are taken inside. They were delicious and a real treat! Selma touched many people 🙂
Judi, your pictures looked perfect! I was not lucky enough to know Selma as I came to the blogging world a little later but realize what a wonderful and giving person she was when I read about her.
I love cinnamon rolls and some are just too sweet – these look lovely and I’m guessing that the sourdough tang is amazing! Such fun cohosting FF with you, and I’m doing a lot of pinning to the board, along with these! Happy New Year and Happy FF!
Thanks Mollie – the icing is not too sweet at all. There’s not an obvious tang but I am sure it does add some flavor. I like having 3 co-hosts especially one as nice as you; love your dog too 🙂 Happy New Year and Happy Fiesta Friday!
So happy you brought Selma to FF 100 with this tribute recipe Judi. Loved seeing her note and the customs form in her hand. Thank you for hosting again. Happy New Year!
Thanks Johanne – her kindness and sincere interest in other people made her special. Happy New Year and the Best in 2016!
She sure was and I think of her often.
Wow this is so lovely, I have heard so much about her and these rolls sound really delicious!
Thanks Lynn – many of us have fond stories about Selma. Mine is with the sourdough – I can’t make bread without thinking about her.
That is just lovely! Thanks for sharing
Oh Judi
What a lovely tribute to Selma! I was talking the other day to a friend about sourdough cinnamon buns and you made them! Just delicious! 🙂 x
Thanks so much Petra – I was real pleased with how they turned out. I’ve been wanting to make these rolls for so long and then using a sourdough recipe and Selma – it all seemed to fit 🙂
That was so kind of Selma, and what a lovely way to honor her! These sourdough cinnamon rolls sound so unique – I bet the sourdough counteracts the sweetness and makes for a wonderfully balanced roll!
Thanks – these were so good – wish Selma could have seen my post 🙂
I’ve been working on sourdough bread. The starter recipes always turn out great but, the bread does not! I live in Florida and it’s hot and humid! I think maybe it rises too much before I bake? It comes out with plenty of holes throughout, but flat and dense. Any tips?
I love working with my sourdough starter – search my site for “sourdough”. There are a number of recipes and hopefully many tips on how I use my starter to make even cakes.