If you’ve ever faced the impossible choice between gooey cinnamon rolls and moist banana bread, I have thrilling news for you: Banana Bread Cinnamon Rolls: A Delicious Twist on a Classic Treat allow you to savor the best of both worlds in one glorious bite. Imagine tender, slightly sweet dough with a hint of banana, brimming with buttery cinnamon sugar and crowned with the dreamiest cream cheese icing. Whether you’re serving them for a special breakfast or as a cozy dessert, these rolls promise warm kitchen memories and smiles all around.
Ingredients You’ll Need
You’ll be delighted to know that every ingredient here plays its own special role—simple, familiar pantry staples come together to create incredible layers of flavor, texture, and that signature golden color. Don’t skip or swap, and you’ll taste the difference in every bite!
- Mashed ripe bananas: These add natural sweetness and intense banana flavor, as well as lovely moisture to the dough.
- Active dry yeast: What gives these rolls their pillowy-soft rise—check expiration for best results!
- Warm milk: Helps activate the yeast and tenderizes the dough.
- Granulated sugar: Sweetens the dough and gives it subtle structure.
- Unsalted butter (melted and softened): Adds richness to both dough and filling, making every bite luscious and soft.
- Large egg: Binds the ingredients and creates a soft, airy crumb.
- Salt: Balances sweetness and boosts all the flavors beautifully.
- All-purpose flour: The structural backbone for our rolls—measure your cups lightly for fluffiness.
- Brown sugar: Caramel-y and deep, this brings out the cinnamon roll magic in the filling.
- Ground cinnamon: The signature spice that swirls warmth into every layer.
- Cream cheese (softened): The velvety base for the irresistible topping.
- Powdered sugar: For silky-smooth, sweet icing.
- Vanilla extract: Rounds out the icing with cozy vanilla vibes.
- Milk (for the dough and icing): Just the right touch to get the perfect icing consistency.
How to Make Banana Bread Cinnamon Rolls: A Delicious Twist on a Classic Treat
Step 1: Activate the Yeast
Start by stirring your yeast into warm milk along with a pinch of sugar. Let it sit for about 5 to 10 minutes—this gives it time to get nice and foamy, which means it’s ready to work its magic and will help your Banana Bread Cinnamon Rolls: A Delicious Twist on a Classic Treat rise up beautifully fluffy.
Step 2: Mix the Dough
In a large bowl, combine the mashed bananas, sugar, melted butter, egg, and salt. Pour in your activated yeast mixture and give it a good stir. Gradually add the flour a cup at a time, mixing until the dough turns soft and just a bit sticky. Knead it by hand for 6 to 8 minutes (or let your mixer work for about 5 minutes) until everything feels smooth and elastic.
Step 3: First Rise
Transfer your dough to a greased bowl, making sure to turn it once so it’s coated. Cover with a clean towel and let it nap in a warm spot for about 1 to 1.5 hours, or until doubled in size. This is when the flavors deepen and the texture becomes irresistibly tender.
Step 4: Shape the Rolls
Punch down the dough gently to release excess air and then roll it out on a floured surface into a 10 by 16-inch rectangle. Slather with softened butter, then shower the surface with brown sugar and cinnamon. Roll it up tightly from the long edge into a snug log, sealing the seam. Slice evenly into 12 gorgeous spirals—these will be the stars of your Banana Bread Cinnamon Rolls: A Delicious Twist on a Classic Treat!
Step 5: Second Rise
Arrange the cut rolls in a greased 9×13-inch pan, cover them, and let them rise for another 30 to 45 minutes. This time allows the rolls to puff up and fill out the pan, setting the stage for soft, bakery-style layers.
Step 6: Bake to Perfection
Preheat your oven to 350°F while the rolls finish rising. Bake for 22 to 25 minutes, just until lightly golden and set. The kitchen will smell like sweet banana bread and warm cinnamon—almost impossible to resist!
Step 7: Make the Cream Cheese Icing
While the Banana Bread Cinnamon Rolls: A Delicious Twist on a Classic Treat bake, whip together softened cream cheese, butter, powdered sugar, vanilla, and a splash of milk. Beat until smooth, creamy, and just thick enough to drizzle or spread.
Step 8: Frost and Serve
Generously spread your cream cheese icing over the warm rolls. Watch it melt into the swirls and soak every layer with sweet, tangy goodness. Serve right away and prepare for lots of “wow”s.
How to Serve Banana Bread Cinnamon Rolls: A Delicious Twist on a Classic Treat
Garnishes
For a bakery-style finish, sprinkle chopped toasted walnuts or pecans over the icing. A pinch of cinnamon or a dusting of powdered sugar can add a lovely touch of elegance and tie in that classic banana bread vibe you love.
Side Dishes
Serve these Banana Bread Cinnamon Rolls: A Delicious Twist on a Classic Treat alongside a big bowl of fresh fruit or a simple parfait. They pair beautifully with strong coffee, spiced chai, or even a tall glass of cold milk for the ultimate breakfast or brunch treat.
Creative Ways to Present
Try stacking rolls on a wooden board for a rustic, family-style spread—let everyone pull apart their favorite swirl. For special events, arrange them in a circle for a “pull-apart cake” that’s as stunning as it is delicious. You can even cut them smaller and serve “mini rolls” for a shareable party treat!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
To keep your Banana Bread Cinnamon Rolls: A Delicious Twist on a Classic Treat soft and fresh, cover the pan tightly with foil or transfer rolls to an airtight container. They’ll stay delicious at room temperature for one to two days, or in the fridge for up to four days.
Freezing
Want to save some for later? Freeze completely cooled, unfrosted rolls in a sealed container for up to two months. When you’re ready to enjoy, thaw overnight in the fridge, then ice and warm as usual! You can also freeze individual rolls so there’s a sweet treat always within reach.
Reheating
For a just-baked experience, warm leftover rolls in the microwave for 15–20 seconds or in a low oven (300°F) covered loosely with foil for about 10 minutes. Add a fresh swoosh of icing if desired, and they’ll taste like new.
FAQs
Can I use whole wheat flour instead of all-purpose?
Yes, you can substitute half of the all-purpose flour with whole wheat for a slightly nuttier, more wholesome roll. The texture will be a bit more hearty, but they’ll still be irresistible!
How ripe should the bananas be?
The riper, the better! Bananas with lots of brown spots bring the most sweetness and classic banana bread flavor to the dough, making these Banana Bread Cinnamon Rolls: A Delicious Twist on a Classic Treat truly unforgettable.
Can I prepare the dough ahead of time?
Absolutely. After shaping the rolls and placing them in the pan, cover tightly and refrigerate overnight. Let them come to room temperature and rise before baking for best results—a perfect make-ahead breakfast!
What’s the best way to slice the rolls cleanly?
Use unflavored dental floss or a very sharp serrated knife to cut your log of dough. This helps keep all those beautiful layers intact for the ultimate Banana Bread Cinnamon Rolls: A Delicious Twist on a Classic Treat presentation.
Can I add extras to the filling?
Definitely! Chopped walnuts, pecans, or even a handful of mini chocolate chips in the filling take your rolls to gourmet territory. Feel free to get creative and make each batch your own.
Final Thoughts
I can’t wait for you to dive into your first bite of Banana Bread Cinnamon Rolls: A Delicious Twist on a Classic Treat—they’re every bit as comforting, impressive, and joy-sparking as they sound. Gather your favorite people, share some warm rolls, and watch how quickly every swirl disappears!
Print
Banana Bread Cinnamon Rolls: A Delicious Twist on a Classic Treat Recipe
- Total Time: 2 hours 30 minutes
- Yield: 12 rolls 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These Banana Bread Cinnamon Rolls are a delightful twist on a classic treat, combining the flavors of banana bread with the irresistible allure of cinnamon rolls. Soft, fluffy dough filled with a sweet cinnamon mixture, topped with a creamy cream cheese icing – these rolls are perfect for breakfast or dessert.
Ingredients
For the Dough:
- 1 cup mashed ripe bananas (about 2 bananas)
- 2 1/4 tsp active dry yeast (1 packet)
- 1/4 cup warm milk (110°F)
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter (melted)
- 1 large egg
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 3–3 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
For the Filling:
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 2 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter (softened)
For the Cream Cheese Icing:
- 4 oz cream cheese (softened)
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter (softened)
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1–2 tbsp milk (to thin if needed)
Instructions
- Activate the Yeast: In a small bowl, stir the yeast into the warm milk with a pinch of sugar. Let sit for 5–10 minutes until foamy.
- Prepare the Dough: In a large bowl, mix mashed bananas, sugar, melted butter, egg, and salt. Add the activated yeast mixture and stir to combine. Gradually add flour, knead until smooth.
- Rise and Roll: Let dough rise, then roll out and fill with butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon. Roll into a log, slice, and place in a pan.
- Bake: Let the rolls rise again, then bake at 350°F for 22–25 minutes until golden brown.
- Make the Icing: Beat cream cheese, butter, powdered sugar, vanilla, and milk until smooth. Spread over warm rolls and serve.
Notes
- Add chopped walnuts or pecans for extra crunch.
- Prep rolls the night before for easy morning baking.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes (plus 1.5–2 hours rising time)
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Breakfast, Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 roll
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 18g
- Sodium: 160mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 48g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 45mg
