Description
These Banana Bread Cinnamon Rolls combine the rich flavors of banana bread with the classic warm spice of cinnamon rolls. Soft, fluffy dough enriched with mashed ripe bananas is rolled with a cinnamon-sugar filling, baked to golden perfection, and topped with a smooth cream cheese glaze. Perfect for a sweet breakfast or brunch treat.
Ingredients
Scale
Dough
- 3/4 cup warm milk (110°F)
- 2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup mashed ripe bananas (about 2 large bananas)
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1 large egg
- 3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon salt
Filling
- 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
Glaze
- 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 to 3 tablespoons milk
Instructions
- Activate yeast: In a large bowl, combine the warm milk, yeast, and granulated sugar. Let sit for 5 minutes until the mixture is foamy, indicating the yeast is active.
- Mix wet ingredients: Stir in the mashed bananas, melted butter, and egg until the mixture is well combined and smooth.
- Add dry ingredients and form dough: Gradually add flour and salt to the wet mixture. Mix until a soft dough forms.
- Knead dough: Turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface and knead for 6 to 8 minutes until the dough becomes smooth and elastic.
- First rise: Place the dough in a lightly greased bowl, cover it, and let it rise for about 1 hour or until it has doubled in size.
- Prepare dough for filling: Roll the risen dough into a rectangle approximately 14 by 10 inches in size.
- Add filling: Spread the softened butter evenly over the dough surface, then sprinkle the brown sugar and cinnamon evenly on top.
- Roll and cut: Roll the dough tightly into a log starting from one long edge. Cut the log into 12 equal rolls.
- Second rise: Arrange the rolls evenly spaced in a greased baking dish. Cover and let them rise for 30 minutes until puffy.
- Bake rolls: Preheat oven to 350°F. Bake the rolls for 25 to 30 minutes until golden brown and cooked through.
- Make glaze: While the rolls bake, beat together the softened cream cheese, butter, powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and milk until smooth.
- Glaze and serve: Spread the cream cheese glaze evenly over the warm rolls before serving for a rich finishing touch.
Notes
- Use very ripe bananas for the best, sweetest flavor.
- These rolls can be prepared the night before and baked fresh in the morning for convenience.
