Mini Brown Butter Sourdough Cinnabundts
Soft, fluffy mini cinnamon buns with nutty brown butter flavor and a sourdough twist — gooey, sweet, and bakery-level irresistible.
DESCRIPTION
These Mini Brown Butter Sourdough Cinnabundts combine the deep, nutty richness of browned butter with the slight tang of sourdough. They bake up soft and fluffy inside, swirled with cinnamon sugar, and finished with a creamy glaze that melts into every layer. Perfect for breakfast, brunch, dessert, or coffee time.
INGREDIENTS (Makes 10–12 mini buns)
Dry Ingredients
- 1¾ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- ¼ tsp baking soda
- ¼ tsp salt
Wet Ingredients
- ½ cup sourdough discard (room temperature)
- ½ cup brown sugar
- ⅓ cup brown butter (melted & cooled)
- ¼ cup milk (or buttermilk)
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
CINNAMON FILLING
- ¼ cup softened butter
- ⅓ cup brown sugar
- 1 tbsp cinnamon
- Optional: pinch of nutmeg
OPTIONAL CREAM CHEESE GLAZE
- 4 oz cream cheese, softened
- ½ cup powdered sugar
- 1–2 tbsp milk
- ½ tsp vanilla extract
HOW TO BROWN THE BUTTER
- Melt butter in a pan over medium heat
- Stir until it foams and turns golden brown
- When it smells nutty, remove from heat
- Cool slightly before using
INSTRUCTIONS
Step 1 — Mix Dry Ingredients
In a bowl, whisk together:
- Flour
- Baking powder
- Baking soda
- Salt
Step 2 — Mix Wet Ingredients
In another bowl, combine:
- Sourdough discard
- Brown sugar
- Brown butter
- Milk
- Vanilla
Whisk until smooth.
Step 3 — Form the Dough
Add dry ingredients to wet ingredients.
Mix until a soft dough forms.
Do not overmix — dough should be soft and slightly sticky.
Step 4 — Roll the Dough
- Lightly flour a surface
- Roll dough into a rectangle (about ¼-inch thick)
Step 5 — Add Filling
Spread softened butter evenly
Sprinkle cinnamon + brown sugar mixture
Press lightly so it sticks
Step 6 — Roll & Slice
Roll dough tightly into a log
Slice into 10–12 mini rolls
Step 7 — Bake
Place rolls into a greased baking pan
Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 18–22 minutes
Until golden brown and fluffy
GLAZE INSTRUCTIONS
Whisk together:
- Cream cheese
- Powdered sugar
- Milk
- Vanilla
Spread over warm rolls so it melts into the swirls.
TIPS FOR BEST RESULTS
- Brown butter adds deep caramel flavor — don’t skip it
- If dough feels sticky, dust lightly with flour
- Warm rolls absorb glaze better
- Add chopped pecans or walnuts for crunch
FLAVOR VARIATIONS
Maple Glaze Version
Replace vanilla with maple syrup
Chocolate Cinnamon Version
Add mini chocolate chips to filling
Apple Pie Version
Add finely diced cinnamon apples inside
Extra Gooey Version
Add extra butter + sugar in the filling
STORAGE
- Store at room temperature for 2 days
- Refrigerate up to 5 days
- Reheat in microwave 15–20 seconds