How to Make Pear Sourdough Discard Cinnamon Rolls: Fall Favorite!

I love pears and these pear sourdough discard cinnamon rolls are delicious! Enjoy!

up-close-image-of-side-of-sourdough-discard-cinnamon-rolls-made-with-fresh-apples

How to Make Pear Sourdough Discard Cinnamon Rolls: Fall Favorite!

KeepItSimpleAnnaSue
Pear sourdough discard cinnamon rolls combine the tangy flavor of sourdough with the sweetness of ripe pears and warm spices, making them a delightful fall favorite. This easy recipe transforms sourdough discard into fluffy, flavorful rolls that are perfect for cozy mornings or holiday gatherings.
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Cooling Time 15 minutes
Course Breakfast, Dessert, Snack

Equipment

  • large mixing bowl
  • Measuring Cups and Spoons:
  • Rolling Pin
  • dental floss

Ingredients
  

Roll Ingredients

  • 4 cups all purpose flour
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • 2 tsp baking powder
  • 1 ¼ tsp salt
  • 1 cup sourdough discard
  • 1 cup water
  • ½ cup butter, melted (1 stick)
  • 1/4 cup honey

Filling

  • ½ cup butter, softened
  • 1 cup packed brown sugar
  • 2 ¼ tbsp cinnamon
  • 2 cups dices pears

Icing

  • ½ cup butter, softened (1 stick)
  • 8 oz cream cheese, softened
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • ¼ tsp salt
  • 4 cups powdered sugar

Instructions
 

Step 1: Prepare the Dough

  • Mix the Wet Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the sourdough discard, water, melted butter, and honey. Mix until well blended.
  • Combine Dry Ingredients: In another bowl, mix together the flour, sugar, salt, baking powder, and baking soda.
    sourdough-discard-cinnamon-rolls-dough-in-bowl-and-rolling-pin.
  • Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring until a soft dough forms. Use your hands to mix it well. Don’t over mix.
  • Knead the Dough: Transfer the dough onto a lightly floured surface. Knead the dough for about 3-5 minutes until it becomes smooth and elastic. The dough should be slightly tacky but not overly sticky. If it feels too sticky, sprinkle a bit more flour as needed.

Step 2: Prepare the Filling

  • 1. Mix the Filling Ingredients: In a small bowl, combine the brown sugar, cinnamon, and softened butter. Set aside.
  • 2. Prepare the Pears: Peel, core, and finely chop the pears.
    slicing-fresh-pears-for-pear-sourdough-discard-cinnamon-rolls-recipe-scaled.

Step 3: Roll and Assemble

  • Roll Out the Dough: Transfer it to a floured surface and roll it out into a rectangle about 1/4 inch thick.
    rolled-out-dough-for-sourdough-discard-cinnamon-rolls-recipe
  • Add the filling: Spread the softened filling evenly over the rolled-out dough.
    rolled-out-sourdough-discard-dough-with-brown-sugar-cinnamon-filling-on-top-scaled
  • Add the Diced Pears: Sprinkle the diced pears over the filling. Sprinkle some added cinnamon and sugar on top if you wish.
    overhead-shot-of-woman-preparing-an-apple-pear-sourdough-discard-cinnamon-rolls-recipe-
  • Roll It Up: Starting from the long edge, tightly roll the dough into a log. Pinch the seams to seal.
    sealing-the-sourdough-discard-cinnamon-rolls-rolled-up-seam-
  • Cut the Rolls: Use a sharp knife or dental floss to slice the log into 1-2 inch thick pieces. Place the rolls cut side up in a greased baking dish, leaving a little space between each roll for them to expand. I prefer to use dental floss. It gives it a cleaner cut.
    sliced-sourdough-discard-cinnamon-rolls-with-floss-cutting-them-apart-

Step 4: Bake the Rolls

  • Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 375 degrees.
  • Bake: Bake for 18-20 minutes, or until the tops are golden brown.
    overhead-shot-of-pear-sourdough-discard-cinnamon-rolls-right-before-baking-
  • Cool Slightly: Remove the cinnamon rolls from the oven and allow them to cool for a good ten to 15 minutes before icing.

Step 6: Prepare the Icing

  • While the rolls are cooling, prepare the icing. Use a mixer to blend together the butter, cream cheese, vanilla, and powdered sugar. Mix until smooth.
    close-up-of-beaters-with-cream-cheese-frosting-for-sourdough-discard-cinnamon-rolls-

Step 7: Serve and Enjoy

  • Spread the icing over the warm pear cinnamon rolls before serving. Enjoy them fresh out of the oven, paired with a cup of coffee or tea for the ultimate fall treat!
    iced-pear-sourdough-discard-cinnamon-rolls-with-cinnamon-sticks-and-pears-

Notes

Tips for Perfect Pear Sourdough Discard Cinnamon Rolls
  • Fresh Ingredients: Use fresh pears for the best flavor and texture. 
  • Avoid Overmixing: When combining the dough, mix just until the ingredients come together. Overmixing can lead to tough rolls.
  • Adjust for Sweetness: If you prefer sweeter rolls, increase the amount of brown sugar in the filling or icing to your taste.
  • Store Leftovers Properly: If you have leftover rolls (which is unlikely!), store them in an airtight container. I store ours in the refrigerator because of the icing. To reheat, simply pop them in the microwave for 20 seconds until warmed through.
Keyword sourdough discard recipes, sourdough discard pear cinnamon rolls, cinnamon rolls, fall treats, pear cinnamon rolls

Pear sourdough discard cinnamon rolls bring the perfect blend of fall flavors to your kitchen! It will smell amazing! The tartness of fresh pears is a perfect match for the warmth of cinnamon. These rolls are light, fluffy, and bursting with flavor. Plus, you can have them ready to go in under an hour. There isn’t a wait time with these rolls since they don’t have to rise. I don’t use yeast in this recipe. The combination of the discard, baking powder, and baking soda give it enough rise so that you can bake it right after mixing it up. You don’t have to worry about rise time, first rise, or even a second rise. Time saver! 

By using sourdough discard, you’re adding a slight tang that balances out the sweetness. Plus, it’s a great way to use up your sourdough starter discard. This recipe makes your home smell like autumn with spiced pears baking into soft rolls. Yes! Let’s get to baking. 

If you’re looking for a great recipe to incorporate fresh fall fruits, look no further. You can also make this using fresh apples. The recipe for apple sourdough discard cinnamon rolls is exactly the same, except that you substitute diced apples for the pears. 

Try these sourdough cinnamon rolls for yourself and let me know how they turned out! Comment below with your favorite fall baking tips or any tweaks you make to the recipe.

pear-sourdough-discard-cinnamon-rolls-iced-with-apples-and-pears-in-the-background

Ingredients You’ll Need for Pear Sourdough Cinnamon Rolls

To create your pear sourdough discard cinnamon rolls, gather the following ingredients.

For the Dough Ingredients:

1 cup sourdough discard (you can also use an active sourdough starter for this recipe)

1 cup water 

1/4 cup honey

1/2 cup butter, melted

4 cups all-purpose flour

2 teaspoons baking powder

1 ¼ teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon baking soda

For the Filling:

1 cup brown sugar, packed

2 1/4 tablespoons cinnamon

½ cup (1 stick) butter, softened ( just sit it out at room temperature about an hour before baking)

2 cups diced pears ( about 3 medium pears, peeled, cored, and finely chopped)

For the Icing (optional):

4 cup powdered sugar

8 oz cream cheese, softened

1/2 cup butter (1 stick), softened

1 tsp. Vanilla extract

Step-by-Step Instructions for Sourdough Discard Pear Cinnamon Rolls

Step 1: Prepare the Dough

1. Mix the Wet Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the sourdough discard, water, melted butter, and honey. Mix until well blended.

2. Combine Dry Ingredients: In another bowl, mix together the flour, sugar, salt, baking powder, and baking soda. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring until a soft dough forms. Use your hands to mix it well. Don’t over mix.

3. Knead the Dough: Transfer the dough onto a lightly floured surface. Knead the dough for about 3-5 minutes until it becomes smooth and elastic. The dough should be slightly tacky but not overly sticky. If it feels too sticky, sprinkle a bit more flour as needed. You don’t have to let the dough rise. The baking soda and baking powder take care of that in this recipe.

sourdough-discard-cinnamon-rolls-sliced-and-displayed-on-table-before-baking-

Step 2: Prepare the Filling: Cinnamon Sugar Mixture

1. Mix the Cinnamon Roll Filling Ingredients: In a small bowl, combine the brown sugar, cinnamon, and softened butter. Set aside.

2. Prepare the Pears: Peel, core, and finely chop the pears. Don’t worry about cutting them into equal pieces.

Step 3: Roll and Assemble

1. Roll Out the Dough: Transfer it to a floured work surface and use a rolling pin to roll it out into a large rectangle about 1/4 inch thick. Sprinkle the top of the dough with flour so that the rolling pin doesn’t stick to the dough. 

2. Add the filling: Spread the softened cinnamon mixture evenly over the rolled-out dough.

3. Add the Diced Pears: Sprinkle the diced pears over the filling. Sprinkle some added cinnamon and sugar on top if you wish. 

4. Roll It Up: Starting from the long edge, tightly roll the dough into a log. Pinch the seams to seal.

5. Cut the Rolls: Use a sharp knife or dental floss to slice the log into 1-2 inch thick pieces. Place the rolls cut side up in a greased baking dish, leaving a little space between each roll for them to expand. You can use a cast iron skillet for baking if you like. For best results, I prefer to use dental floss. It just works better for me.

Step 4: Bake the Rolls

1. Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 375 degrees.

2. Bake: Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the tops are golden brown.

3. Cool Slightly: Remove the cinnamon rolls from the oven and allow them to cool for  a good ten to 15 minutes before icing.

Step 5: Prepare the Icing-Cream Cheese Frosting

While the rolls are cooling, prepare the icing. In a large bowl, use a mixer to blend together the butter, cream cheese, vanilla, and powdered sugar. Mix until smooth.

overhead-shot-of-apple-sourdough-discard-cinnamon-rolls-right-out-of-the-oven-

Step 6: Serve and Enjoy

Spread the icing over the warm cinnamon rolls before serving. Enjoy them fresh out of the oven, paired with a cup of coffee or tea for the ultimate fall treat! Cover the remaining icing with plastic wrap or store it in an airtight container in the fridge.

Tips for Perfect Pear Sourdough Discard Cinnamon Rolls

• Fresh Ingredients: Use fresh pears for the best flavor and texture. 

• Avoid Overmixing: When combining the dough, mix just until the ingredients come together. Overmixing can lead to tough rolls.

• Adjust for Sweetness: If you prefer sweeter rolls, increase the amount of brown sugar in the filling or icing to your taste.

• Store Leftovers Properly: If you have leftover rolls (which is unlikely!), store them in an airtight container. I store ours in the refrigerator because of the icing. To reheat, simply pop them in the microwave for 20 seconds until warmed through. They are delicious the next day.

Why Use Sourdough

Using sourdough discard is a great way to reduce waste while adding flavor to your baked goods. I love that it is naturally fermented, which means it contains beneficial bacteria and wild yeast that help break down the gluten. This makes it a lot easier to digest. The fermentation process also increases the availability of nutrients. Cool, right? Additionally, sourdough’s lower glycemic index compared to regular bread can help manage blood sugar levels. This makes it a healthier choice for many people.

The Perfect Combination: Cinnamon and Pear

If you want a recipe that tastes like fall, this is it. Cinnamon and pear create the perfect combination in cinnamon rolls because they embody the entire element of fall. The natural sweetness and juiciness of fresh pears complement the warm, spicy notes of cinnamon, making every bite feel cozy and comforting. Pears add a soft, fruity texture that enhances the richness of the dough, while cinnamon brings that familiar autumn spice. Together, they create a flavor that is refreshing and delicious. These rolls taste like fall and are made from scratch with love.

iced-pear-sourdough-discard-cinnamon-rolls-with-cinnamon-sticks-and-pears-

Why This Recipe Stands Out

First of all, these pears are fresh and picked right out of my brother’s side yard. So for me, that makes this recipe extra special. I love traditional cinnamon rolls, a regular sourdough cinnamon roll, an orange roll, and definitely a roll with pears. 

Cooking with sourdough discard along with baking powder and baking soda makes pear cinnamon rolls stand out because it eliminates the need for yeast and long rise times. Instead of waiting overnight, you can whip up these rolls quickly without sacrificing flavor or texture. The combination of sourdough discard with these leavening agents provides a light and fluffy result. 

This method really is ideal for those of you who want the homemade fresh-from-the-oven taste of cinnamon rolls, but don’t have the time to let dough rise for hours. It’s a great time saving method that is still from a great made from scratch recipe. 

Pear sourdough discard cinnamon rolls are the perfect blend of cozy and comfort. They allow us to enjoy the rich, satisfying flavors of cinnamon rolls while making use of the sourdough starter discard that often goes to waste. Each bite delivers a delicious combination of tender dough, warm spices, and sweet pear chunks, all while being a slightly healthier alternative to traditional cinnamon rolls. Also, you don’t have to use yeast or an active starter for this recipe. That means that you aren’t waiting on it to rise or having to make sure it is in a warm place. 

These are so good and your family will love them. They also heat up nicely so that you can enjoy them for the next few days. You can make them for a special occasion, but why not turn a regular day into something special by serving up a warm cinnamon roll to whoever is nearby. Happy Baking!

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