Amazing Sourdough Discard Cinnamon Sugar Twists 35 Min

Okay, you know how there’s always that little bit of sourdough starter left over after you feed the main batch? I used to feel so guilty just tossing it! But then, oh man, did I stumble onto something magical. These Sourdough discard cinnamon sugar twists are seriously a game-changer. They’re ridiculously flaky, perfectly sweet, and honestly, they’re my go-to when I’m craving something delicious but don’t want to spend hours in the kitchen. Using up that discard feels so good, and the taste? Absolutely worth it. Trust me, once you try these, you’ll be looking for reasons to have a little extra starter ready to go!

Why You’ll Love These Sourdough Discard Cinnamon Sugar Twists

• Super Speedy: Seriously, you can whip these up and have them in your belly in under 40 minutes from start to finish. Perfect for when that craving hits!

• Flavor Explosion: That classic cinnamon sugar combo is just divine, and the tender, slightly tangy twist from the sourdough discard? Chef’s kiss!

• Bye-Bye Waste! You get to use up that precious sourdough discard and turn it into something incredibly satisfying. No more guilt about tossing it!

• Crazy Easy: No fancy techniques here. Just mix, roll, twist, bake, and coat. Even beginner bakers can nail these!

Ingredients for Your Sourdough Discard Cinnamon Sugar Twists

You really don’t need much for these, which is part of why I love them so much! Just a few pantry staples and that leftover sourdough discard are all it takes. Make sure your butter is nice and cold; it really helps with the texture.

• 1 cup unfed sourdough discard
• 1 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
• 2 tablespoons granulated sugar (for the dough)
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon baking powder
• ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon (for the dough)
• 4 tablespoons cold unsalted butter, cut into small cubes
• 2 tablespoons milk (whole or 2% works best!)
• ¼ cup granulated sugar (for coating)
• 1 ½ teaspoons ground cinnamon (for coating)
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted (for brushing)

Crafting Your Perfect Sourdough Discard Cinnamon Sugar Twists

Okay, get ready to do a little magic with your hands! This is where the fun really starts. We’re going to turn that sourdough discard into something absolutely amazing. Don’t worry if your dough isn’t perfectly shaped; they’ll still taste incredible. Seriously, I’ve had my share of lopsided twists, and they disappear just as fast! If your discard is super fresh, you might want to check out how to maintain your sourdough starter for the best results.

Step 1: First things first, let’s get our dry ingredients together. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, the 2 tablespoons of granulated sugar (that’s for the dough, not the coating!), salt, baking powder, and ½ teaspoon of cinnamon. Give it a good whisk so everything is evenly mixed. Trust me, this makes a difference!

Step 2: Now, add in those cold butter cubes. I like to use a fork or even my fingertips to work the butter into the flour mixture. You want it to look like coarse crumbs, with some little pea-sized pieces of butter still hanging out. That’s what gives us those flaky layers!

Step 3: Time for the star! Pour in your 1 cup of unfed sourdough discard and the 2 tablespoons of milk. Gently mix everything together until it just starts to form a soft dough. Be careful not to overwork it; we’re not making bread here! A soft, slightly shaggy dough is what we’re aiming for.

Step 4: Lightly flour a clean surface, like your counter or a big cutting board. Turn the dough out and gently roll it into a rectangle. Aim for about ¼ inch thick. It doesn’t have to be perfect, just get it somewhat even. Then, grab a knife or a bench scraper and slice that rectangle into strips, about 1 inch wide. You can make them as long as you like, but shorter ones are easier to handle.

Step 5: Now, for the twisty part! Pick up each strip, give it a few gentle twists, and place it on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Make sure you give them a little space to spread out a bit while they bake. If you have time, pop the whole tray into the fridge for about 10 minutes. This little chill helps them keep their shape and get even flakier! While that’s happening, preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).

Step 6: Bake those twists for about 15 to 18 minutes. You want them to be golden brown around the edges and just look gorgeously baked. The smell is going to be amazing!

Step 7: While they’re still warm (but not piping hot!), grab your melted butter and brush it all over the tops and sides of the twists. Then, in a separate small bowl, mix together the ¼ cup of granulated sugar and the 1 ½ teaspoons of cinnamon for the coating. Roll each buttery twist in that glorious cinnamon sugar mixture until it’s fully coated. Oh, it’s going to be heavenly!

Serving Suggestions for Your Sourdough Discard Cinnamon Sugar Twists

These twists are pretty amazing on their own, but serving them with a warm drink takes them to a whole new level! Honestly, they’re perfect anytime.

A Perfect Cup of Coffee or Tea: Seriously, is there anything better than dunking a warm, cinnamon-sugar-coated pastry into your morning coffee or afternoon tea? It’s a match made in heaven!

Warm with a Dollop of Yogurt: If you want a little something extra, a tiny spoonful of plain Greek yogurt or even a light vanilla yogurt adds a creamy tang that contrasts beautifully with the sweet twists. It sounds a bit different, but it’s so good!

Fruit Salad on the Side: For a slightly lighter feel, a small bowl of fresh, bright fruit like berries or melon makes a lovely accompaniment. It adds a refreshing bite!

Storing and Reheating Your Sourdough Discard Cinnamon Sugar Twists

These twists are best enjoyed fresh, but don’t you worry, they store pretty well too! If you happen to have any leftovers (which is rare in my house!), here’s how to keep them tasting great.

Keep your cooled Sourdough discard cinnamon sugar twists in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. Honestly, they usually disappear faster than that! If they somehow last longer, you can pop them in the fridge for another day or two, but they might lose a bit of their perfect texture.

Reheating is super simple and totally worth it to get that lovely crispness back. Just pop them in a 350°F oven for about 5-7 minutes. You could also use an air fryer for 3-4 minutes! Microwaving makes them a bit soft, and we don’t want that. For meal prep, I like to store them *without* the final cinnamon sugar coating and add that after they’re reheated fresh from the oven, or just go ahead and coat them and reheat as usual; they’re still delicious either way!

Frequently Asked Questions About Sourdough Discard Cinnamon Sugar Twists

Got questions? I’ve got answers! It’s totally normal to wonder about substitutions or how to tweak things. Let’s clear up some common queries!

Can I use active sourdough starter instead of discard?

Yes, you absolutely can! If you’re using active starter, you might want to reduce the milk slightly, maybe by a tablespoon, since active starter is usually livelier. The flavor will be a bit tangier, which I actually kind of love! Just make sure it’s well-fed and ready to go. For more on keeping your starter happy, check out my guide to maintaining your starter.

What if I don’t have cold butter?

Oh, that cold butter is key for that flaky texture! If yours isn’t cold, try to chill it in the freezer for about 10-15 minutes before cubing and using it. If it melts too much while you’re working it into the flour, you might end up with a slightly denser twist. It’ll still taste great, but it won’t be quite as wonderfully flaky. So, definitely try to get it as cold as possible!

How can I make these twists healthier?

Great question for those macro-watchers out there! For a slightly healthier spin, you could try using whole wheat flour for about half of the all-purpose flour. You could also reduce the sugar in the dough by a tablespoon and really lean into the cinnamon sugar coating for sweetness. Skipping the melted butter coating and just rolling them in the cinnamon sugar mixture would also cut down on fat! If you love using discard in other recipes, you should totally check out my sourdough discard pizza crust too!

Enjoy Your Homemade Sourdough Discard Cinnamon Sugar Twists!

I really hope you give these amazing Sourdough discard cinnamon sugar twists a try! They’re such a fun way to use up that starter and create a treat that’s gooey, sweet, and just plain delightful. Let me know in the comments below what you think, or tag me on social media if you post a pic! Happy baking, and don’t forget to check out my sourdough cinnamon rolls for another delicious discard idea. You can also find me sharing more goodies over at my blog!

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