Banana Bread Cinnamon Rolls (Printable Version)
Fluffy banana-cinnamon rolls with cream cheese icing—tender, sweet, and perfect for breakfast or brunch.
# What You Need:
→ Dough
01 - 3 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
02 - 2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast
03 - 3/4 cup warm milk (about 110°F)
04 - 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
05 - 2 ripe bananas, mashed (about 1 cup)
06 - 1/4 cup granulated sugar
07 - 1 large egg
08 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
→ Filling
09 - 1/3 cup unsalted butter, softened
10 - 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
11 - 1 1/2 tablespoons ground cinnamon
12 - 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
→ Cream Cheese Icing
13 - 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
14 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
15 - 1 cup powdered sugar
16 - 1 to 2 tablespoons milk
17 - 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
# Directions:
01 - Combine warm milk and yeast in a large mixing bowl. Allow to stand for 5 minutes until the mixture is foamy. Add melted butter, mashed bananas, granulated sugar, egg, and salt, then stir to combine. Gradually mix in the flour until a shaggy dough forms. Knead by hand or with a stand mixer fitted with a dough hook for 8 to 10 minutes until the dough becomes smooth and elastic.
02 - Transfer the dough to a lightly greased bowl, cover with a clean towel or plastic wrap, and let rest in a warm place for 1 hour or until doubled in volume.
03 - In a small bowl, blend together brown sugar, ground cinnamon, and ground nutmeg.
04 - Gently deflate the risen dough. On a lightly floured surface, roll the dough into a 16 by 12 inch rectangle. Spread softened butter evenly across the surface, then distribute the cinnamon sugar filling evenly over the top.
05 - Starting from the long edge, roll the dough tightly into a log. Slice the log evenly into 12 rolls.
06 - Arrange the rolls with cut sides up in a greased 9 by 13 inch baking dish. Cover and let rise for 30 to 45 minutes, or until puffy.
07 - Preheat the oven to 350°F. Bake the rolls for 22 to 25 minutes, or until golden brown.
08 - While the rolls bake, beat together cream cheese, softened butter, powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract until smooth and creamy.
09 - Let the baked rolls cool for 10 minutes, then generously spread the cream cheese icing over the warm rolls and serve immediately.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- You get the best of both banana bread and cinnamon rolls, all in one go.
- The rolls are so soft and fluffy that youll start craving breakfast for dessert, too.
02 -
- If you rush the rise, your rolls will turn out dense and disappointing.
- Mashed banana can make the dough sticky—greasing your hands makes rolling and shaping a breeze.
03 -
- Use the ripest bananas you have for maximum banana flavor.
- For perfectly shaped rolls, use unflavored dental floss to slice through the dough cleanly.