Banana Bread Cinnamon Rolls (Printable)
Fluffy banana-infused cinnamon rolls with cream cheese icing — tender yeast dough and cinnamon-sugar swirls for brunch.
# What You’ll 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, stir together warm milk and active dry yeast. Let rest for 5 minutes until the surface becomes foamy. Add melted butter, mashed bananas, granulated sugar, egg, and salt. Mix until well combined, then gradually incorporate the flour, mixing until a rough dough forms. Knead for 8 to 10 minutes by hand or using a mixer with a dough hook, until the dough is smooth and elastic.
02 - Place the kneaded dough in a lightly greased bowl. Cover with a clean towel or plastic wrap and set in a warm location for 1 hour, or until the dough has doubled in volume.
03 - In a small bowl, blend together brown sugar, ground cinnamon, and ground nutmeg until well combined.
04 - Punch down the risen dough and transfer it to a floured work surface. Roll the dough into a 16 by 12-inch rectangle. Evenly spread softened butter across the surface, then sprinkle the cinnamon sugar filling uniformly over the dough.
05 - Tightly roll up the dough from the long edge to create a log. Slice evenly into 12 portions.
06 - Arrange the sliced rolls, cut side up, in a greased 9 by 13-inch baking dish. Cover and let rise in a warm location for 30 to 45 minutes, until puffy.
07 - Preheat the oven to 350°F. Bake the rolls for 22 to 25 minutes, until the tops are golden brown.
08 - While the rolls bake, use a hand mixer or stand mixer to beat together softened cream cheese, softened butter, powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract until smooth and creamy.
09 - Allow baked rolls to cool in the pan for 10 minutes. Generously spread the cream cheese icing over warm rolls and serve immediately.
# Expert Suggestions:
01 -
- The banana not only sweetens but makes these cinnamon rolls extra fluffy and meltingly tender—an effect you’ll only taste if you try it.
- I’ve made plenty of cinnamon rolls, but the subtle banana twist turns the classic into a brunch table superstar.
02 -
- Once, I rushed the rise and the buns turned out disappointingly dense—give them time to puff up.
- Letting the icing gently melt into warm rolls makes every bite gooier; don’t wait until they’re stone cold.
03 -
- If using instant yeast, you can skip the proofing step and add it straight to the flour.
- Let the rolls cool only a little before icing so the topping seeps into every swirl.