If you dream about fusing the cozy flavors of classic banana bread with the pillowy softness of cinnamon rolls, you’re in for a real treat with these Banana Bread Cinnamon Rolls. Imagine golden spirals that fill your kitchen with the scent of caramelized banana, brown sugar, and warm cinnamon, then get kissed with a luscious cream cheese icing. Each bite is comfort food at its finest—sweet, soft, and wonderfully fragrant. Whether you’re serving them for a lazy weekend breakfast or making a special treat for friends, Banana Bread Cinnamon Rolls will quickly become a beloved favorite in your baking repertoire.
Ingredients You’ll Need
These Banana Bread Cinnamon Rolls come together with a handful of staple ingredients, each one playing a vital role in bringing out the flavor, texture, and gorgeous swirl. Here’s what you’ll need, plus a couple of tips to make every bite memorable:
- Warm milk (1/2 cup, 110°F): Warm but not hot milk helps activate the yeast and yields an extra-tender dough.
- Active dry yeast (2 1/4 teaspoons, 1 packet): The rising hero, yeast gives your rolls their irresistible fluffiness.
- Granulated sugar (1/4 cup): A touch of sweetness that also feeds the yeast for a beautiful rise.
- Mashed ripe banana (1/4 cup): Overripe bananas add natural sweetness, moisture, and the unmistakable flavor of banana bread.
- Large egg (1): Binds the dough and enriches its color and texture.
- Unsalted butter (1/4 cup melted for dough, 3 tablespoons softened for filling, 2 tablespoons softened for icing): Butter makes everything better—rich dough, gooey filling, and the silkiest icing.
- All-purpose flour (2 3/4 cups): The backbone of the dough, giving it structure yet keeping it soft.
- Salt (1/2 teaspoon): Just the right amount to enhance flavors and balance sweetness.
- Brown sugar (1/2 cup packed, for filling): The molasses notes in brown sugar melt into the swirls for gooey, caramel-like centers.
- Ground cinnamon (1 tablespoon, for filling): Warm cinnamon spice is essential for that classic cinnamon roll vibe.
- Cream cheese (4 oz, softened, for icing): For the tangy, creamy topping that pairs perfectly with banana bread undertones.
- Powdered sugar (1/2 cup, for icing): For a sweet, melt-in-your-mouth glaze.
- Vanilla extract (1/2 teaspoon, for icing): Adds depth and that unmistakable bakery aroma.
- Milk (1–2 tablespoons, for thinning icing): Use just enough to get your icing to the ideal spreadable consistency.
How to Make Banana Bread Cinnamon Rolls
Step 1: Activate the Yeast
Start with your warm milk—it should feel like a warm bath, not hot. Pour it into a large mixing bowl and sprinkle in the active dry yeast. Let it stand for five to ten minutes until it becomes foamy on top. This is the magic moment that tells you your yeast is alive and ready to create those fluffy Banana Bread Cinnamon Rolls.
Step 2: Mix the Wet Ingredients
Add the granulated sugar, mashed banana, egg, and melted butter to the foamy yeast mixture. Stir well. The mashed banana not only infuses the dough with banana bread flavor but also keeps it delightfully moist. A good whisk here ensures everything is well combined and silky smooth.
Step 3: Make and Knead the Dough
Gradually add in the flour and salt, mixing until a shaggy dough forms. If you have a stand mixer, let the dough hook do the heavy lifting. Otherwise, get in there with your hands and knead the dough on a lightly floured surface for about six to eight minutes. You’re looking for a dough that is soft, elastic, and only slightly tacky. Place it in a greased bowl, cover it up, and let it rise in a warm place for about an hour, until doubled in size.
Step 4: Shape the Rolls and Add Filling
Once the dough has puffed up, punch it down gently and turn it out onto a floured surface. Roll it into a big rectangle, about 10×15 inches. Spread the softened butter over the dough’s surface. Mix the brown sugar and cinnamon together and sprinkle it generously over the buttered dough. It’s now time for the big roll-up! Starting from the long side, roll the dough up tightly into a log, then slice into nine equal rolls for classic bakery-sized Banana Bread Cinnamon Rolls.
Step 5: Final Rise and Bake
Arrange your cut rolls in a greased 9×9-inch baking dish, leaving a little space for them to puff up. Cover and let them rise again for 30 to 45 minutes—this gives them their final fluff factor. Meanwhile, preheat your oven to 350°F. Bake for 22 to 25 minutes, until the rolls are golden brown and your kitchen smells like heaven. Let them cool just slightly while you prepare the icing.
Step 6: Make and Spread the Cream Cheese Icing
In a bowl, beat together softened cream cheese, butter, powdered sugar, vanilla, and a splash of milk. You want your icing super smooth and just runny enough to spread. While the rolls are still warm (but not piping hot), lavish them with the cream cheese icing. Watch it melt into those banana bread cinnamon swirls for ultimate ooey-gooey perfection.
How to Serve Banana Bread Cinnamon Rolls
Garnishes
A generous swipe of cream cheese icing is classic, but you can personalize your Banana Bread Cinnamon Rolls with a scatter of toasted chopped pecans or a sprinkle of cinnamon sugar. Sliced bananas on top add a fresh touch and make the banana bread flavor pop even more.
Side Dishes
These rolls are pure indulgence on their own, but they play nicely with a bowl of fresh fruit or a crisp fruit salad for added freshness. For brunch, serve with creamy Greek yogurt, hot coffee, or even a glass of cold milk to turn breakfast into a cozy feast.
Creative Ways to Present
Serve in a cast iron skillet for rustic charm, or arrange the rolls in a wreath on a platter for a holiday brunch. Make them minis for a sweet breakfast buffet, or drizzle extra icing in a crosshatch pattern for bakery-level flair. However you serve them, Banana Bread Cinnamon Rolls are sure to steal the spotlight.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Once cooled, you can store leftover Banana Bread Cinnamon Rolls in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days or in the refrigerator for up to four days. If you know they’ll be devoured quickly, just keep them covered on the counter to maintain their soft texture.
Freezing
For best results, freeze the rolls (without icing) in a well-sealed container or bag. They’ll keep beautifully for up to two months. When you’re ready to enjoy, thaw overnight in the fridge, then warm and frost as usual for fresh-baked flavor longer after baking day.
Reheating
A quick zap in the microwave for about 20 seconds per roll will bring them back to their pillowy best, or reheat, covered, in a low oven (300°F) until just warmed through. Add the icing after reheating, or just before if you like it melty.
FAQs
Can I make Banana Bread Cinnamon Rolls dough the night before?
Absolutely! After the second rise (when the shaped rolls are in the pan), cover the pan tightly and refrigerate overnight. The next morning, let the rolls come to room temperature before baking as directed.
What can I use instead of cream cheese in the icing?
If you don’t have cream cheese or prefer a lighter icing, swap in Greek yogurt for a tangy twist or use a simple powdered sugar glaze made with milk and vanilla extract.
Can I add nuts or chocolate chips to the filling?
Yes! Chopped toasted walnuts, pecans, or mini chocolate chips make delicious additions to the filling, adding crunch and extra bursts of flavor in your Banana Bread Cinnamon Rolls.
Why didn’t my rolls rise properly?
Yeast needs warmth and a little patience. Make sure your milk is about 110°F, and let your dough rise somewhere cozy. Old yeast or extreme cold can slow things down, so always check the expiration date and be sure you give your rolls enough time to puff up both before and after shaping.
Can I use instant yeast instead of active dry yeast?
Definitely! Substitute equal amounts of instant yeast, and you can skip the proofing step—just mix it right in with the dry ingredients. Your Banana Bread Cinnamon Rolls will still come out perfectly fluffy.
Final Thoughts
There’s something wonderfully nostalgic about the flavors in Banana Bread Cinnamon Rolls, and making them at home is pure baking joy. I hope this recipe adds a big, sweet-smelling hug to your morning or brings a little extra celebration to your next get-together. Don’t hesitate—give these Banana Bread Cinnamon Rolls a whirl, and watch them disappear!
Print
Banana Bread Cinnamon Rolls Recipe
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 45 minutes
- Yield: 9 rolls
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Indulge in the delightful combination of banana bread and cinnamon rolls with this recipe for Banana Bread Cinnamon Rolls. These sweet and fluffy rolls are perfect for breakfast or a special treat.
Ingredients
For the dough:
- 1/2 cup warm milk (110°F)
- 2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast (1 packet)
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup mashed ripe banana
- 1 large egg
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
For the filling:
- 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
- 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
For the icing:
- 4 oz cream cheese, softened
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1–2 tablespoons milk (to thin if needed)
Instructions
- Dough: In a large bowl, combine warm milk and yeast. Let sit for 5–10 minutes until foamy. Stir in sugar, mashed banana, egg, and melted butter. Gradually mix in flour and salt until a dough forms. Knead for 6–8 minutes until smooth. Let rise for about 1 hour.
- Filling: Roll out dough into a rectangle. Spread softened butter, sprinkle brown sugar and cinnamon. Roll dough tightly, slice into rolls, and arrange in a baking dish. Let rise for 30–45 minutes.
- Baking: Preheat oven to 350°F. Bake rolls for 22–25 minutes. Prepare icing by beating cream cheese, butter, powdered sugar, vanilla, and milk. Spread over warm rolls.
Notes
- You can make these the night before and refrigerate after the second rise. Let them come to room temperature before baking.
- Add chopped nuts or mini chocolate chips to the filling for extra flavor.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 roll
- Calories: 310
- Sugar: 17g
- Sodium: 180mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 42g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 50mg
