Banana Bread Cinnamon Rolls (Print Page)
Soft cinnamon-sweet rolls with banana bread flavor and creamy icing
# 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 brown sugar, packed
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 - In a large mixing bowl, dissolve yeast in warm milk and let stand 5 minutes until foamy. Add melted butter, mashed bananas, granulated sugar, egg, and salt; mix to combine. Gradually add flour, mixing until a shaggy dough forms. Knead for 8 to 10 minutes by hand or with a stand mixer fitted with a dough hook until smooth and elastic.
02 - Transfer dough to a lightly greased bowl, cover, and let rise in a warm place for about 1 hour, or until doubled in size.
03 - In a small bowl, thoroughly mix brown sugar, ground cinnamon, and nutmeg.
04 - Punch down risen dough. On a floured work surface, roll dough into a 16 by 12-inch rectangle. Evenly spread softened butter over the surface and sprinkle with the prepared cinnamon sugar filling.
05 - Starting from the long edge, tightly roll up the dough into a log. Slice evenly into 12 individual rolls.
06 - Arrange rolls cut side up in a greased 9x13-inch baking dish. Cover and let rise for 30 to 45 minutes until puffy.
07 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Bake rolls for 22 to 25 minutes, or until golden brown.
08 - While rolls bake, beat together softened cream cheese, butter, powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract until smooth.
09 - Let baked rolls cool for 10 minutes. Generously spread icing over warm rolls and serve immediately.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- The banana in the dough makes the rolls ultra tender—like a cross between your coziest banana bread and the fluffiest cinnamon roll.
- There’s just enough sweetness to satisfy your sweet tooth without overwhelming your morning coffee.
02 -
- One cold winter, I rushed the first rise and ended up with heavy, small rolls—patience really does pay off here.
- Letting the cream cheese fully soften means your icing will spread like a dream instead of clumping.
03 -
- If your kitchen is chilly, set the dough in the (turned-off) oven with the light on to help it rise evenly.
- Don’t be shy with the filling—generosity leads to gooier, happier rolls.