Banana Bread Cinnamon Rolls Recipe – Soft, Gooey & Irresistible
Make the ultimate Banana Bread Cinnamon Rolls — soft, gooey, and topped with cream cheese frosting. Perfect for brunch or cozy mornings.
Ingredients
For the Dough:
- 1 cup mashed ripe bananas (about 2 bananas)
- ½ cup warm milk (110°F)
- 1 packet (2¼ tsp) active dry yeast
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- ¼ cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1 large egg
- ½ tsp salt
- 3¼–3½ cup all-purpose flour
For the Filling:
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- ¾ cup packed brown sugar
- 2 tbsp ground cinnamon
- ½ cup nutmeg
For the Cream Cheese Frosting:
- 4 oz cream cheese, softened
- ¼ cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- ½ cup vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt
Instructions
- Activate the Yeast: In a large bowl, combine warm milk and yeast. Let it sit for about 5 minutes until foamy. This step ensures your rolls rise beautifully.
- Mix the Wet Ingredients: Add mashed bananas, sugar, melted butter, egg, and salt. Stir until well combined — the banana adds natural sweetness and tenderness to the dough.
- Form the Dough: Gradually add the flour, one cup at a time, mixing until a soft dough forms. Knead for 8–10 minutes (by hand or mixer) until smooth and elastic.
- First Rise: Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover, and let rise in a warm place for 1–1½ hours or until doubled in size.
- Prepare the Filling: In a small bowl, mix the softened butter, brown sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg until it forms a paste.
- Roll It Out: Once the dough has risen, punch it down and roll into a 16×12-inch rectangle.
- Spread & Roll: Evenly spread the cinnamon filling over the dough. Starting from the long edge, roll it into a log and slice into 12 equal rolls. (Tip: use unflavored dental floss for perfect cuts!)
- Second Rise: Arrange rolls in a greased 9×13-inch baking dish. Cover and let rise for another 30 minutes until puffy.
- Bake: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake rolls for 22–25 minutes, until golden brown on top and set in the center.
- Make the Frosting: Beat cream cheese and butter together until smooth. Add powdered sugar, vanilla, and salt. Mix until creamy and spreadable.
- Frost & Serve: Spread frosting over warm rolls so it melts into every swirl. Serve immediately and watch them disappear.