Imagine the comforting flavors of homemade banana bread combined with the warm, gooey swirls of classic cinnamon rolls—that’s exactly what you get with these Banana Bread Cinnamon Rolls!
Perfect for breakfast, brunch, or dessert, these soft and fluffy rolls are packed with ripe bananas, brown sugar, and cinnamon spice, then topped with a rich cream cheese glaze. Whether you’re a fan of banana bread, cinnamon rolls, or both, this recipe will be your new favorite!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
✔ Soft & Fluffy Dough: Infused with banana flavor for extra moisture.
✔ Gooey Cinnamon Swirls: A perfect balance of cinnamon, sugar, and butter.
✔ Easy to Make Ahead: Prepare the night before for a stress-free morning.
✔ Irresistible Cream Cheese Glaze: Rich, tangy, and perfectly sweet.
✔ Great Use for Ripe Bananas: A fun twist on traditional banana bread!
Ingredients for Banana Bread Cinnamon Rolls
For the Dough:
- 3 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 packet (2 ¼ tsp) instant yeast
- ½ cup mashed ripe bananas (about 1 large banana)
- ½ cup warm milk (110°F)
- ¼ cup unsalted butter, melted
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- ½ tsp salt
- 1 egg
For the Cinnamon Filling:
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- ¾ cup brown sugar
- 1 tbsp ground cinnamon
- ½ tsp nutmeg (optional)
- ½ cup chopped pecans or walnuts (optional)
For the Cream Cheese Glaze:
- 4 oz cream cheese, softened
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- ½ tsp vanilla extract
- 2 tbsp milk (adjust for consistency)
How to Make Banana Bread Cinnamon Rolls
Step 1: Make the Dough
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together warm milk, yeast, and sugar. Let sit for 5 minutes until foamy.
- Add mashed banana, melted butter, vanilla, and egg. Stir to combine.
- Gradually add flour and salt, mixing until a dough forms. Knead for 5-7 minutes until smooth and elastic.
- Transfer to a greased bowl, cover, and let rise in a warm place for 1-1.5 hours or until doubled in size.
Step 2: Prepare the Cinnamon Filling
- In a small bowl, mix softened butter, brown sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg until smooth.
Step 3: Roll & Fill the Dough
- Roll out the risen dough on a floured surface into a 15x12-inch rectangle.
- Spread the cinnamon filling evenly over the dough.
- Sprinkle with chopped pecans or walnuts if using.
- Roll the dough tightly from the long side into a log and cut into 12 even rolls.
Step 4: Second Rise & Bake
- Place rolls in a buttered 9x13-inch baking dish. Cover and let rise for 30-45 minutes.
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Bake for 20-25 minutes or until golden brown and cooked through.
Step 5: Make the Cream Cheese Glaze
- In a bowl, beat together cream cheese, butter, powdered sugar, vanilla, and milk until smooth.
- Spread over warm cinnamon rolls for an ooey-gooey finish.
Expert Tips for the Best Banana Bread Cinnamon Rolls
✔ Use Very Ripe Bananas: The darker the banana, the sweeter and more flavorful your rolls will be.
✔ Don’t Skip the Second Rise: This ensures extra fluffy cinnamon rolls.
✔ Make Ahead: Assemble the rolls the night before and refrigerate. Bake fresh in the morning!
✔ Drizzle with Caramel Sauce: For an extra decadent touch.
✔ Try a Maple Glaze: Swap vanilla extract with maple syrup for a cozy fall twist.
Best Toppings & Variations
🍌 Banana Foster Glaze: Drizzle with caramelized banana sauce.
🍫 Chocolate Chip Banana Rolls: Sprinkle mini chocolate chips inside the filling.
🌰 Nutty Crunch: Add extra pecans or walnuts for texture.
🍯 Honey Butter Glaze: Replace the cream cheese frosting with honey butter.
What to Serve with Banana Bread Cinnamon Rolls
🥓 Crispy Bacon or Sausage – A salty contrast to the sweet rolls.
🍓 Fresh Berries & Yogurt – Lightens up the meal.
☕ Coffee or Chai Latte – The perfect cozy pairing.
🍍 Tropical Smoothie – Complements the banana flavor beautifully.
How to Store & Reheat
- Refrigerate: Store leftover rolls in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
- Freeze: Freeze unglazed rolls for up to 2 months.
- Reheat: Warm in the microwave for 15-20 seconds or in the oven at 300°F for 5-7 minutes.
Final Thoughts
These Banana Bread Cinnamon Rolls bring together the best of two classic baked goods in one soft, gooey, and irresistible treat. Whether you're making them for Sunday brunch, a holiday gathering, or just to use up ripe bananas, they’re guaranteed to be a hit!
Try this recipe today and let us know how you liked it! Happy Baking! 🍌🍞🎉
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