Banana Bread Cinnamon Rolls Recipe

Introduction

These Banana Bread Cinnamon Rolls combine the comforting flavors of classic cinnamon rolls with the sweet, moist texture of banana bread. Soft, tender, and generously topped with cream cheese frosting, they make a perfect treat for breakfast or dessert.

Ingredients

• 1 cup (240 ml) milk, lukewarm (about 120-130°F)
• 6 Tablespoons (85 g) unsalted butter
• ½ cup (100 g) granulated sugar
• 4 ½-5 cups (540 – 600 g) all-purpose flour, spooned and leveled
• 2 ¼ teaspoons instant yeast
• 1½ teaspoons salt
• ½ cup mashed banana (about 1 large banana)
• 4 Tablespoons (57 g) unsalted butter, very soft
• ½ cup (107 g) packed light brown sugar
• 1 tablespoon cinnamon
• 2 large bananas, thinly sliced
• ¼ cup (60 ml) heavy cream, slightly warmed
• 4 ounces cream cheese, softened to room temperature
• 4 tablespoons (57 g) unsalted butter, softened
• 1 ½ cups (170 g) powdered sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

1. Step 1: Warm the milk. In a medium saucepan, heat milk, butter, and granulated sugar until the butter is melted and the temperature reaches 120°F-130°F, then remove from heat.
2. Step 2: Make the dough. In a stand mixer bowl fitted with a paddle attachment, combine 4 ½ cups flour, yeast, and salt. Add the melted butter mixture and mashed banana, stirring until a shaggy dough forms.
3. Step 3: Knead the dough. Switch to the dough hook and knead at medium speed for 6-8 minutes. Add flour a tablespoon at a time if the dough is too sticky, making sure not to exceed 5 cups. The dough should be slightly sticky, smooth, and elastic.
4. Step 4: Let the dough rise. Lightly grease a large bowl, place the dough inside, turn to coat, cover, and let rise until doubled in size, about 1 to 1 ½ hours.
5. Step 5: Roll out the dough. Turn the risen dough onto a floured surface and roll into an 18×12-inch rectangle.
6. Step 6: Spread the filling. Spread the softened butter over the dough, leaving a ½-inch border on the top long edge. In a small bowl, mix brown sugar and cinnamon, then sprinkle evenly over the butter. Top with sliced bananas.
7. Step 7: Cut the rolls. Starting from the long edge with filling, roll the dough tightly into a log. Pinch the seam to seal, then cut into 12 equal rolls using a serrated knife or dental floss for clean edges.
8. Step 8: Let the rolls rise. Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish and place rolls spiral side up. Cover and let rise in a warm place for 45 minutes until slightly puffy and nearly doubled.
9. Step 9: Bake the rolls. Preheat oven to 350°F (177°C). Pour warmed heavy cream over the rolls before baking. Bake for 30-35 minutes until golden brown. Let cool in the pan for 20 minutes.
10. Step 10: Make the cream cheese icing. Beat cream cheese and softened butter together until smooth. Gradually add powdered sugar mixing on low, then beat in vanilla extract. Increase speed and beat until fluffy.
11. Step 11: Ice the rolls. Spread the cream cheese frosting over the warm rolls so it melts slightly into them. Serve and enjoy!

Tips & Variations

• Use instant yeast for a faster rise; if using active dry yeast, warm milk to 105-110°F and expect longer rise times.
• Adding a touch of nutmeg to the cinnamon sugar filling can add warmth and depth to the flavor.
• For a dairy-free version, substitute milk, butter, and cream cheese with plant-based alternatives.
• Thinly slice bananas so they soften and meld with the filling during baking.
• Cutting rolls with dental floss prevents squishing and keeps the spirals intact.

Storage

Store leftover banana bread cinnamon rolls in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days, or refrigerate for up to 5 days. Reheat gently in the microwave for 20-30 seconds or warm in the oven before serving. For longer storage, freeze un-iced rolls wrapped tightly for up to 3 months; thaw and bake or warm before icing.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make the dough ahead of time?

Yes, after the first rise, you can refrigerate the dough overnight. Let it come to room temperature before rolling and adding the filling.

Why is my dough sticky and hard to handle?

The dough should be slightly sticky but manageable. Adding flour a tablespoon at a time during kneading helps, but avoid adding too much flour to keep the rolls tender.

Banana Bread Cinnamon Rolls Recipe

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★★★★★

4.5 from 105 reviews

These Banana Bread Cinnamon Rolls combine the moistness and flavor of banana bread with the soft, gooey texture of classic cinnamon rolls. The dough is enriched with mashed bananas, then filled with a cinnamon-sugar and butter mixture, layered with banana slices, baked until golden, and topped with a luscious cream cheese frosting. Perfect for a comforting breakfast or sweet treat.

• Author: reem
• Prep Time: 25 minutes
• Cook Time: 35 minutes
• Total Time: 2 hours 45 minutes
• Yield: 12 rolls 1x
• Category: Breakfast, Dessert, Snack
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Dough

• 1 cup (240 ml) milk, lukewarm (about 120-130°F)
• 6 Tablespoons (85 g) unsalted butter
• ½ cup (100 g) granulated sugar
• 4 ½–5 cups (540 – 600 g) all-purpose flour, spooned and leveled
• 2 ¼ teaspoons instant yeast
• 1½ teaspoons salt
• ½ cup mashed banana (about 1 large banana)

Filling

• 4 Tablespoons (57 g) unsalted butter, very soft
• ½ cup (107 g) packed light brown sugar
• 1 tablespoon cinnamon
• 2 large bananas, thinly sliced

Baking

• ¼ cup (60 ml) heavy cream, slightly warmed

Cream Cheese Icing

• 4 ounces cream cheese, softened to room temperature
• 4 tablespoons (57 g) unsalted butter, softened
• 1 ½ cups (170 g) powdered sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

1. Warm Milk and Butter Mixture: In a medium saucepan, warm the milk, butter, and granulated sugar over low heat until the butter melts and the temperature reaches 120°F-130°F. Remove from heat to cool slightly.
2. Make Dough: In a stand mixer bowl fitted with the paddle attachment, combine 4 ½ cups flour, instant yeast, and salt. Add melted butter mixture and mashed banana, stirring until a shaggy dough forms.
3. Knead Dough: Switch to dough hook attachment and knead on medium speed for 6-8 minutes, adding more flour a tablespoon at a time as needed until the dough is smooth, elastic, and slightly sticky. Avoid overkneading or exceeding 5 cups of flour.
4. First Rise: Lightly grease a large bowl, place dough inside, turning to coat. Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled in size, about 1 to 1 ½ hours.
5. Roll Out Dough: Turn dough onto a lightly floured surface and roll into an 18×12 inch rectangle.
6. Prepare Filling: Spread softened butter evenly over dough, leaving a ½-inch border on one long edge. Mix brown sugar and cinnamon in a bowl, then sprinkle over butter layer, pressing lightly to adhere. Arrange thin banana slices evenly on top.
7. Form Rolls: Starting at the long edge with the filling, tightly roll the dough into a log. Pinch seam to seal. Cut into 12 equal rolls using a serrated knife or unflavored dental floss.
8. Second Rise: Grease a 9×13 inch baking dish and place rolls spiral side up. Cover and let rise for about 45 minutes until slightly puffy and nearly doubled.
9. Preheat and Prepare for Baking: Preheat oven to 350°F (177°C). Pour slightly warmed heavy cream over the rolls before baking.
10. Bake Rolls: Bake for 30-35 minutes until golden brown. Cool in pan for about 20 minutes.
11. Make Cream Cheese Icing: In a bowl, beat cream cheese and butter on medium-high speed until smooth, about 2 minutes. Gradually add powdered sugar, mixing on low until combined, then beat in vanilla extract. Increase speed and beat for 1-2 minutes until light and fluffy.
12. Ice Rolls: Spread cream cheese icing over the warm rolls, allowing the frosting to melt slightly into them.

Notes

• Use instant yeast for quicker rise times; if using active dry yeast, reduce milk temperature to 105-110°F and expect longer rising periods.
• Do not overknead dough or add too much flour to avoid dense and chewy rolls; dough should remain slightly sticky.
• Cut rolls cleanly by using unflavored dental floss for neat spirals.
• Spreading icing while rolls are warm helps it melt nicely into the surface.
• Banana slices in the filling add extra moisture and flavor; ensure they are thinly sliced for even distribution.

Keywords: banana bread cinnamon rolls, banana rolls, cinnamon rolls with banana, cream cheese icing cinnamon rolls, breakfast cinnamon rolls