Banana Bread Cinnamon Rolls
Banana bread or cinnamon rolls? Why choose when you can have both! These hybrid beauties combine everything we love: the tender sweetness of banana bread with the warm, gooey spice of cinnamon rolls. Topped off with a silky glaze or rich cream cheese frosting, they’re perfect for breakfast, brunch, or dessert—and they’re easier to make than you’d think.
Whether you’re hosting a cozy brunch or just need something special to go with coffee, these rolls deliver pure joy in every bite.
Ingredients (Table Format)
| For the Dough | |
|---|---|
| All-purpose flour | 2 cups (plus extra for dusting) |
| Granulated sugar | ¼ cup |
| Active dry yeast | 1 packet (2¼ teaspoons) |
| Salt | ½ teaspoon |
| Mashed ripe banana | ½ cup (about 1 large banana) |
| Milk | ¼ cup (whole preferred) |
| Unsalted butter (melted) | ¼ cup |
| Egg (large) | 1 |
| Vanilla extract | 1 teaspoon |
| For the Filling | |
|---|---|
| Unsalted butter (softened) | ¼ cup |
| Brown sugar (light or dark) | ½ cup |
| Ground cinnamon | 1½ teaspoons |
| Chopped walnuts or pecans (opt.) | ¼ cup |
| For the Glaze | |
|---|---|
| Powdered sugar | 1 cup |
| Milk or cream | 2–3 tablespoons |
| Vanilla extract | ½ teaspoon |
| Optional Cream CheeseFrosting | |
|---|---|
| Cream cheese (softened) | 4 oz |
| Unsalted butter (softened) | 2 tablespoons |
| Powdered sugar | 1 cup |
| Vanilla extract | ½ teaspoon |
| Milk | 1–2 tablespoons (for consistency) |
Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Make the Dough
-
- In a large bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, yeast, and salt.
- In a separate bowl, mix mashed banana, milk, melted butter, egg, and vanilla.
-
- Combine wet and dry ingredients to form a soft dough.
- Knead on a floured surface for 5–7 minutes (or use a mixer with dough hook) until smooth and elastic.
- Place in a greased bowl, cover, and let rise for 1 hour, or until doubled in size.
2. Prepare the Filling
-
- Mix brown sugar and cinnamon in a small bowl.
- Roll out dough into a 12×9-inch rectangle.
- Spread butter evenly over dough, sprinkle with cinnamon sugar, and add nuts if desired.
3. Roll & Slice
-
- Roll the dough tightly from the long side into a log.
- Slice into 12 even rolls using floss or a sharp knife.
- Place in a greased 9×13-inch baking dish with a little space between each.
4. Second Rise
- Cover and let rolls rise again for 30–45 minutes, until puffy.
5. Bake
-
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Bake for 20–25 minutes, until golden and cooked through.
6. Make Glaze or Frosting
-
- Glaze: Whisk powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla until smooth.
- Frosting: Beat cream cheese and butter, then add sugar, vanilla, and milk until spreadable.
7. Finish & Serve
-
- While still warm, drizzle with glaze or frost generously.
- Serve fresh, and enjoy every cozy, banana-spiced bite.
