Banana Bread Cinnamon Rolls Recipe

Introduction

Banana Bread Cinnamon Rolls combine the comforting flavors of classic banana bread with the sweet, spicy swirl of cinnamon rolls. This unique twist results in soft, flavorful rolls perfect for breakfast or a cozy snack.

Ingredients

• 2 ripe bananas, mashed
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1/4 cup brown sugar, packed
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
• 1 large egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tablespoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed (for filling)
• 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened (for filling)
• 4 oz cream cheese, softened (for frosting)
• 1/2 cup powdered sugar (for frosting)
• 1 tablespoon milk (or more for desired consistency, for frosting)
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract (for frosting)

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Step 2: In a large mixing bowl, combine the mashed bananas, granulated sugar, and 1/4 cup brown sugar. Mix until well combined.
3. Step 3: Add the melted butter to the banana mixture and stir until fully incorporated.
4. Step 4: Crack in the egg and pour in the vanilla extract. Mix until the egg is fully blended.
5. Step 5: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
6. Step 6: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, stirring gently until just combined. Avoid overmixing.
7. Step 7: In a small bowl, combine the 1/2 cup packed brown sugar and ground cinnamon. Mix well to prepare the filling.
8. Step 8: Spread the softened butter evenly over the surface of the dough.
9. Step 9: Sprinkle the cinnamon-sugar mixture evenly over the buttered dough.
10. Step 10: Roll the dough into a tight log from one end, keeping the filling inside.
11. Step 11: Cut the log into 1-inch thick slices using a sharp knife or dental floss.
12. Step 12: Place the sliced rolls into a greased 9×13 inch baking dish, leaving space between each roll.
13. Step 13: Cover the baking dish with a clean kitchen towel and let the rolls rise in a warm place for about 30 minutes.
14. Step 14: Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until golden brown and a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
15. Step 15: Let the rolls cool in the pan for about 10 minutes.
16. Step 16: In a medium bowl, beat the softened cream cheese until smooth.
17. Step 17: Gradually add the powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract, mixing until you reach your desired frosting consistency.

Tips & Variations

• Use very ripe bananas for the sweetest, most flavorful dough.
• Try adding chopped nuts or chocolate chips to the filling for extra texture and taste.
• For a vegan version, substitute dairy ingredients with plant-based alternatives and use a flax egg instead of the regular egg.
• If the frosting is too thick, add more milk a teaspoon at a time until smooth and spreadable.

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. To reheat, warm individual rolls in the microwave for about 15-20 seconds or heat them in a preheated oven at 300°F (150°C) for 5-7 minutes. The frosting can be added fresh after reheating for best results.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make the dough ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare the dough and slice the rolls, then cover and refrigerate them overnight before baking. Allow them to come to room temperature and rise before baking as usual.

What if I don’t have cream cheese for the frosting?

You can use a simple glaze made from powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract as an alternative to cream cheese frosting. It will still add sweetness and moisture to the cinnamon rolls.

Banana Bread Cinnamon Rolls Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.4 from 135 reviews

These Banana Bread Cinnamon Rolls combine the beloved flavors of banana bread and cinnamon rolls into one delightful treat. Soft, sweet banana-infused dough rolled with cinnamon sugar, baked to golden perfection, and topped with a creamy cream cheese frosting, making for a perfect breakfast or dessert.

• Author: Ella
• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
• Yield: 12 rolls 1x
• Category: Dessert
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Dough Ingredients

• 2 ripe bananas, mashed
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1/4 cup brown sugar, packed
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
• 1 large egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tablespoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt

Filling

• 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
• 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened

Cream Cheese Frosting

• 4 oz cream cheese, softened
• 1/2 cup powdered sugar
• 1 tablespoon milk (or more for desired consistency)
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) to prepare for baking the rolls.
2. Mix Banana Mixture: In a large mixing bowl, combine the mashed bananas, granulated sugar, and brown sugar. Mix until well combined to create a sweet banana base.
3. Add Butter: Stir in the melted butter until fully incorporated into the banana mixture.
4. Add Egg and Vanilla: Crack in the egg and pour in the vanilla extract. Mix until the egg is fully blended into the batter.
5. Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt thoroughly.
6. Form Dough: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, stirring gently until just combined. Avoid overmixing to keep the dough tender.
7. Prepare Filling: In a small bowl, mix the packed brown sugar and ground cinnamon evenly to create the cinnamon sugar for filling.
8. Spread Butter on Dough: Spread the softened butter evenly over the surface of the dough, providing a base for the cinnamon sugar.
9. Add Cinnamon Sugar: Sprinkle the cinnamon-sugar mixture evenly over the buttered dough, ensuring full coverage.
10. Roll Dough: Roll the dough into a tight log from one end, making sure to keep the filling inside without spilling.
11. Slice Rolls: Cut the dough log into 1-inch thick slices using a sharp knife or dental floss for clean cuts.
12. Arrange Rolls for Rising: Place the sliced rolls into a greased 9×13 inch baking dish, leaving some space between each roll to allow expansion.
13. Let Rolls Rise: Cover the baking dish with a clean kitchen towel and let the rolls rise in a warm place for about 30 minutes to develop fluffiness.
14. Bake Rolls: Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until the rolls are golden brown and a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
15. Cool Rolls: Let the baked rolls cool in the pan for about 10 minutes before frosting.
16. Make Frosting: In a medium bowl, beat the softened cream cheese until smooth. Gradually add the powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract, mixing until you achieve your desired consistency.
17. Frost Rolls: Spread or drizzle the cream cheese frosting over the warm rolls to finish the dish.

Notes

• Use ripe bananas for the best flavor and natural sweetness.
• Be careful not to overmix the dough to keep the rolls tender and soft.
• If the dough is too sticky to roll, refrigerate it for 15-20 minutes to firm up.
• Adjust the cream cheese frosting consistency by adding more milk if needed.
• These rolls can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days or refrigerated for up to 5 days.
• Reheat the rolls slightly before serving for a soft, fresh-baked texture.

Keywords: banana bread cinnamon rolls, banana cinnamon rolls, cinnamon rolls recipe, banana bread twist, cream cheese frosting, baked cinnamon rolls