Sourdough Discard Cinnamon Bread

Name: Sourdough Discard Cinnamon Bread
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 45 min
Total time: 1 h
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1/3 cup brown sugar (for the batter); 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour; 1 tablespoon baking powder; 1/2 teaspoon salt; 1 egg; 3/4 cup milk; 1/3 cup melted butter; 1/2 cup sourdough discard; 1 tablespoon cinnamon (for the swirl filling); 1 cup brown sugar (for the swirl filling)

Posted on March 25, 2026

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This Sourdough Discard Cinnamon Bread comes together in about 45 minutes and is baked in one pan for a quick and easy breakfast or snack that your family will love! Whether it’s a lazy Sunday morning or a busy weekday, this comforting bread is always a win.

Ingredients Breakdown

To help you get started, here’s everything you need to whip up this lovely cinnamon-filled loaf:

1/3 cup brown sugar (for the batter): This adds sweetness and a hint of caramel flavor that’ll have you dreaming about second helpings.
1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour: The staple ingredient. Feel free to substitute with whole wheat for a healthier option!
1 tablespoon baking powder: This gives the bread that lovely rise, don’t skip it!
1/2 teaspoon salt: Just a couple pinches to enhance all those wonderful flavors.
1 egg: Adds richness; if you’re vegan, you can use a flaxseed egg as a substitute.
3/4 cup milk: Whole milk will create a richer loaf, but any milk or even a plant-based version works just fine.
1/3 cup melted butter: For mouthwatering moisture; if you’re dairy-free, coconut oil can step in beautifully.
1/2 cup sourdough discard: This is where the magic happens! That lovely tangy flavor transforms the bread.
1 tablespoon cinnamon (for the swirl filling): Cinnamon, oh glorious cinnamon, lots of it for that comfort-food vibe!
1 cup brown sugar (for the swirl filling): To add a luscious sweetness that pairs perfectly with cinnamon.

Pro Tip: You can switch up the ingredients. Toss in some chopped nuts or a handful of raisins or even chocolate chips based on what you have in your pantry!

How to Make Sourdough Discard Cinnamon Bread

Let’s jump right into it!

Preheat that oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9×5 inch loaf pan. This step is key, nobody likes a loaf that’s stuck!
In a small bowl, go ahead and mix together the swirl filling ingredients: brown sugar and cinnamon; set this aside for now.
In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, salt, and remaining brown sugar until well-combined. It’s a simple step, but it makes sure the leavening agents are evenly distributed!
In another bowl, combine your wet ingredients: egg, milk, melted butter, vanilla extract, and sourdough discard. Whisk it all together until it’s nice and smooth.
Gradually mix your wet ingredients into the dry ingredients until just combined, please don’t overmix! Lumpy batter is totally okay.
Now pour half of the batter into your prepared pan and sprinkle it with about three-fourths of the delicious cinnamon-sugar mixture you set aside earlier.
Pour the remaining batter on top, and then sprinkle it with the leftover swirl mixture. Use a knife or a skewer to gently swirl through the batter for that beautiful marble effect.
Pop it in the oven and bake for 45 to 50 minutes until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. You’re going to want to keep checking the oven to catch that heavenly aroma!
Once it’s done, cool in the pan for about 20 minutes before transferring to a wire rack. Patience is key, but it’s oh-so-hard not to dig right in!

If you loved this Sourdough Discard Cinnamon Bread, be sure to check out my Sourdough Pretzel Bites, my Baked Eggs Florentine, or my Chickpea Fried Eggs!

What Makes This Recipe Special

Quick & Easy

This lovely bread comes together all in under an hour. Seriously, from prep to pull-out-of-the-oven, it’s less than an hour. Perfect for busy mornings or last-minute visitors!

Budget-Friendly

Using basic pantry staples, this bread fits easily into any budget. It’s economical too, perfect for those of us who love to bake without breaking the bank.

Customizable

The secret to a delicious bread is that you can customize this recipe however you want! Don’t like brown sugar? Use white. Allergic to cinnamon? Try nutmeg or pumpkin spice. Add nuts, dried fruit, or even chocolate chips. You’re the boss of your bread!

Comfort Food

This bread is loaded with tons of flavor, and it’s truly comfort food at its best! Warm butter melting into a slice? Pure bliss, I can’t imagine a more delightful morning.

Serving Suggestions

Slice this Sourdough Discard Cinnamon Bread thick and toast it up for breakfast, or serve it with a slather of creamy butter or cream cheese for an afternoon snack. You could even pair it with your favorite jam! It’s fantastic with a cup of coffee or tea.

Storage: If you manage to have leftovers (which, let’s be honest, is not always easy), store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.

Reheating instructions: If you want some warmth later, simply pop it in the toaster or microwave it for a few seconds, just until warm, not hot enough to melt away those tasty flavors!

Freezer-friendly: Yes! Wrap slices individually and store in a freezer bag for up to three months. When you want a slice, just pop it out and let it thaw or give it a quick toast.

In these chilly mornings, doesn’t a warm slice of homemade cinnamon bread sound delightful? The smell alone is enough to make me feel cozy inside; add a cup of hot coffee, and it’s pure bliss!

So, whether you’re baking just for yourself or sharing it with family, I can promise you, this Sourdough Discard Cinnamon Bread will earn its spot among your go-to recipes!

Happy baking, friends! And for more recipes, follow us on Pinterest.