Banana Bread Cinnamon Rolls Recipe

Imagine everything you love about banana bread swirled right into a warm, gooey cinnamon roll—these Banana Bread Cinnamon Rolls take two beloved breakfast treats and marry them into a truly unforgettable experience. Fluffy, soft, packed with gooey banana-cinnamon filling and finished with a cloud of tangy cream cheese frosting, they’re perfect for brunch, holidays, or just making a cozy morning extra special!

Ingredients You’ll Need

Banana Bread Cinnamon Rolls may look impressive, but I promise—every single ingredient plays an important role in flavor and texture. Let’s peek inside your pantry and fridge to see how everyday staples transform into something spectacular!

• Whole milk: Adds tenderness and richness to the dough, ensuring your rolls turn out pillow-soft.
• Active dry yeast: This is what gives the rolls that light, fluffy rise—make sure it’s fresh for best results!
• White sugar: Sweetens the dough and helps the yeast work its magic.
• Butter: Melted into the dough for richness, and softened for spreading throughout the filling and frosting.
• Egg + egg yolk: Provide structure and extra decadence, yielding a tender crumb that’s just dreamy.
• Mashed ripe banana: The star ingredient! Bananas infuse every layer with natural sweetness, moisture, and that signature flavor.
• Vanilla extract: Deepens the aroma and flavor both in the dough and the filling.
• All purpose flour: The base of the dough—be sure to measure it carefully for the perfect texture.
• Salt: Enhances flavors and keeps the rolls from tasting flat.
• Dark brown sugar: The filling’s secret weapon, offering deep molasses notes that pair perfectly with bananas.
• Ground cinnamon: Warm and cozy—cinnamon ties the banana bread and cinnamon roll elements together.
• Banana slices: Layered right into the rolls, these provide little bursts of sweet, gooey banana flavor.
• Finely chopped walnuts: Bring a welcome crunch and a hint of earthiness (totally optional if you’re nut-free).
• Cream cheese: The foundation for that luscious, tangy frosting—don’t skip it!
• Confectioner’s sugar: Sweetens and smooths the frosting, ensuring it glides luxuriously over warm rolls.

Variations

Banana Bread Cinnamon Rolls are fabulously flexible, so feel free to improvise! A few little tweaks can turn them into something new, let you personalize for dietary needs, or simply use what you have on hand.

• Nut-Free: Skip the walnuts or substitute with pepitas or sunflower seeds for a subtle crunch.
• Chocolate Chip Banana Rolls: Scatter mini chocolate chips over the filling for instant chocolate-banana heaven (no one ever complains!).
• Vegan Twist: Use oat or almond milk, swap in vegan butter, and try a plant-based cream cheese to make the recipe dairy-free.
• Gluten-Free: Replace the flour with a reputable 1:1 gluten-free baking blend (plus an extra rise may help get that classic fluffiness).
• No Cream Cheese? An easy vanilla glaze (powdered sugar + vanilla + milk) tastes fantastic drizzled over warm rolls.

How to Make Banana Bread Cinnamon Rolls

Step 1: Activate the Yeast

Start by gently warming your milk (it should be comfortably warm, but not hot—about 110-115°F). Pour it into a large mixing bowl, then sprinkle the yeast evenly over the warm milk, followed by the sugar. After a few minutes, you should see bubbly, frothy action—this means your yeast is alive and ready to make your rolls sky-high!

Step 2: Mix the Wet Ingredients

Add melted butter, the whole egg plus an extra yolk, mashed banana, and vanilla extract to the yeast mixture. Whisk everything together until well blended—this is where the magic starts! The banana will make your kitchen smell AMAZING.

Step 3: Form and Knead the Dough

Sprinkle in your flour and salt. Stir with a wooden spoon until a loose, shaggy dough forms—expect it to be sticky! Turn the dough onto a floured surface and knead for about 8-10 minutes, adding a spoonful of flour at a time if needed, until it’s elastic and only just barely tacky. The kneading works the gluten, giving these Banana Bread Cinnamon Rolls their signature chewy, tender crumb.

Step 4: First Rise

Grease a clean bowl with a smidge of oil, then place your dough ball inside. Cover with a tea towel and set it somewhere warm and cozy (like the top of your oven or near a sunny window). Give it 1 to 1 1/2 hours to double in size. You’ll know it’s ready when a gentle poke springs back slowly.

Step 5: Prepare the Filling

While the dough rises, mix up your cinnamon filling: dark brown sugar, cinnamon, and vanilla extract get stirred together until fragrant and irresistible. Get your softened butter, banana slices, and walnuts ready to go!

Step 6: Shape and Fill the Rolls

Punch down your risen dough and roll it into a rectangle about 20×16 inches, about 1/4-inch thick. Smear soft butter all over, sprinkle with all the cinnamon-sugar filling, then gently press it in. Add a single layer of banana slices, and finish with a sprinkle of walnuts for crunch.

Step 7: Roll, Slice & Second Rise

Roll up the dough tightly (long side to long side), pinch the seam to seal, and flip seam-side down. Use a sharp serrated knife or dental floss to cut into 12 even pieces. Arrange your Banana Bread Cinnamon Rolls in a lined 9×13 pan, cover, and let them puff up for a second rise (around 20–25 minutes).

Step 8: Bake to Golden Perfection

Bake the rolls at 350°F on the middle rack for 25–30 minutes, until they’re golden and sound slightly hollow if tapped. The aroma at this stage is absolutely out of this world! Let them cool in the pan for about 10 minutes before frosting.

Step 9: Make the Cream Cheese Frosting

In a medium bowl, beat together your softened cream cheese and butter until smooth. Gradually add the confectioner’s sugar and mix until fluffy. Stir in vanilla and cinnamon, then beat until creamy. Slather the frosting over warm Banana Bread Cinnamon Rolls and marvel at the gooey, glorious finish.

How to Serve Banana Bread Cinnamon Rolls

Garnishes

Try a final sprinkle of chopped toasted walnuts or a dusting of extra cinnamon right over the cream cheese frosting. You can even drizzle with a touch of maple syrup or scatter a few banana chips for an extra celebratory flair. A little garnish goes a long way in making these Banana Bread Cinnamon Rolls feel like they came from your favorite brunch café.

Side Dishes

Keep the brunch spirit alive! Fresh fruit salad, creamy Greek yogurt, or crispy bacon all pair beautifully with warm Banana Bread Cinnamon Rolls. For a grown-up weekend breakfast, add a pot of rich coffee or your favorite latte—swoon.

Creative Ways to Present

Serve your cinnamon rolls on a vintage cake stand for a stunning centerpiece, or arrange them in a wreath shape for holidays. You could even prep individual rolls in muffin tins—perfect for gifting or brunch parties where everyone wants their own personal Banana Bread Cinnamon Roll!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Cool Banana Bread Cinnamon Rolls completely, then store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days. For slightly longer storage, keep them in the fridge (the cream cheese frosting stays fresh and delicious, too!).

Freezing

Wrap unfrosted rolls tightly (plastic wrap then foil) and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge, then warm gently before icing and serving. You can also freeze fully baked and frosted rolls, just be aware the frosting may lose a bit of its silky texture—but they’ll still be a treat!

Reheating

To reheat, pop a roll into the microwave for about 20 seconds, or warm a whole pan in the oven at 300°F for 10-15 minutes (loosely covered with foil). If they’ve dried a little, a quick zap with a damp paper towel restores their pillowy softness.

FAQs

Final Thoughts

If you’re craving a breakfast treat that tastes like a warm hug, Banana Bread Cinnamon Rolls are calling your name! They’re a pure delight to make and share, whether you want to wow overnight guests or just brighten a gray morning. I can’t wait for you to discover just how dreamy these are—let me know if you try them!

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