Fluffy Banana Bread Cinnamon Rolls Recipe: A Cozy Morning Delight

Soft, pillowy banana bread cinnamon rolls dance with sweet nostalgia in every delightful bite.

Warm kitchen memories flood back when mixing these delectable pastries.

Comforting aromas will wrap you in a cozy embrace while preparing this delicious treat.

Each swirl promises a perfect blend of classic banana bread and classic cinnamon roll flavors.

Delicate layers promise indulgence without overwhelming complexity.

Incredibly simple ingredients combine to create something magical on your plate.

You won’t be able to resist these irresistible rolls that blend familiar comfort with unexpected delight.

Banana Bread Cinnamon Rolls: Morning Joy!

• Indulge in Banana Bliss: Transform classic banana bread into a delightful twist of cinnamon rolls, offering a mouthwatering fusion of familiar flavors that will make your taste buds dance.
• Master Baking Magic: Perfect for bakers of all skill levels, this recipe guides you through each step with simple techniques, helping you create bakery-worthy rolls right in your own kitchen.
• Crowd-Pleasing Comfort: Packed with the warmth of cinnamon and the richness of bananas, these rolls are guaranteed to become a family favorite, perfect for weekend breakfasts or special gatherings.
• Versatile Treat Potential: Adaptable for various occasions, from casual brunches to holiday mornings, these rolls bring a touch of homemade goodness that everyone will adore.

What You Need for Banana Bread Rolls

• Warm Milk: Essential liquid that helps activate the yeast and provides moisture for the dough.
• Active Dry Yeast: Crucial for making the dough rise and creating a soft, fluffy texture.
• Sugar: Feeds the yeast and adds a subtle sweetness to the dough.
• Softened Butter: Adds richness and helps create a tender crumb in the rolls.
• Eggs: Provide structure and help bind the ingredients together.
• Salt: Enhances the overall flavor of the dough.
• All-Purpose Flour: The main structural ingredient that forms the base of the cinnamon rolls.
• Mashed Bananas: Adds moisture, natural sweetness, and a unique banana flavor to the rolls.

• Softened Butter: Creates a rich and creamy base for the filling.
• Brown Sugar: Provides a deep, caramel-like sweetness to the filling.
• Ground Cinnamon: Adds warm, aromatic spice that defines the classic cinnamon roll flavor.
• Chopped Walnuts (Optional): Offers a crunchy texture and nutty flavor to the rolls.

• Cream Cheese: Creates a tangy, creamy base for the icing.
• Butter: Adds richness and helps achieve a smooth consistency.
• Powdered Sugar: Provides sweetness and helps thicken the icing.
• Vanilla Extract: Enhances the overall flavor with its sweet, aromatic notes.

Simple Steps for Banana Bread Rolls

Step 1: Activate Yeast

In a spacious mixing bowl, combine warm milk with yeast and sugar.

Allow the mixture to rest for 5 minutes until it becomes frothy and bubbly, indicating the yeast is alive and ready.

Step 2: Create Dough Base

• Softened butter
• Beaten eggs
• Salt
• Mashed bananas

Stir until all components are thoroughly blended and create a consistent mixture.

Step 3: Form Soft Dough

Gradually incorporate flour into the wet ingredients.

Knead the dough on a lightly floured surface for 10 minutes, working it until smooth and elastic.

The texture should feel soft and pliable.

Step 4: Allow First Rise

Transfer the dough to a greased bowl, covering it completely.

Place in a warm, draft-free location and let it rise until it doubles in size, approximately 1 hour.

Step 5: Develop Filling

• Softened butter
• Brown sugar
• Ground cinnamon

Mix until the ingredients form a uniform, spreadable consistency.

Step 6: Shape Rolls

Roll out the risen dough into a large rectangle on a floured surface.

Spread the cinnamon-sugar filling evenly across the dough.

Sprinkle chopped walnuts if desired.

Step 7: Create Roll Log

Carefully roll the dough tightly from the long side, creating a compact log.

Slice the log into 12 equal rolls using a sharp knife.

Step 8: Final Rise

Arrange the rolls in a greased baking dish.

Cover and let them rise for an additional 30 minutes, allowing them to become puffy.

Step 9: Bake Rolls

Preheat the oven to 350F.

Bake the rolls for 25-30 minutes until they turn a beautiful golden brown color.

Step 10: Whip Creamy Icing

• Softened cream cheese
• Butter
• Powdered sugar
• Vanilla extract

Beat until the mixture becomes smooth and creamy.

Step 11: Finish With Icing

Generously spread the prepared icing over the warm rolls, allowing it to melt slightly into the crevices.

Step 12: Enjoy Warm Treats

Serve the rolls immediately while they’re warm, highlighting their soft texture and rich banana-cinnamon flavor.

Cinnamon Roll Pro Tips

• Use ripe, spotty bananas for maximum sweetness and deeper banana flavor in your rolls.
• Ensure milk is warm (not hot) between 100-110°F to properly activate yeast without killing it.
• Add flour gradually while kneading to prevent dry or overly sticky dough, achieving perfect soft texture.
• Place dough in a draft-free, warm area like near a preheated oven to help it rise consistently and develop rich flavor.
• Use unflavored dental floss or a sharp serrated knife to cut rolls evenly without crushing delicate dough structure.

Banana Bread Roll Flavor Swaps

• Gluten-Free Version: Replace wheat flour with a blend of almond and rice flour to create a celiac-friendly option that maintains soft texture and delicious banana flavor.
• Vegan Adaptation: Substitute dairy milk with almond milk, use coconut oil instead of butter, and replace eggs with mashed bananas or flax eggs for a plant-based alternative.
• Nutty Banana Crunch: Add chopped pecans or almonds to the filling and sprinkle extra nuts on top for a crunchy texture and enhanced nutty flavor profile.
• Chocolate Banana Swirl: Mix dark chocolate chips into the filling or drizzle melted chocolate over the icing for a decadent chocolate-banana combination that elevates the classic recipe.

Best Ways to Serve Banana Cinnamon Rolls

• Breakfast Bliss Plate: Pair these rolls with a fresh fruit salad or a yogurt parfait for a balanced morning meal.
• Cozy Coffee Companion: Serve alongside a steaming cup of hot coffee or chai tea to enhance the warm, comforting flavors.
• Weekend Brunch Star: Create a delightful brunch spread by adding scrambled eggs, crispy bacon, or a light fruit smoothie to complement the sweet rolls.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare the rolls the night before, refrigerate, and bake fresh in the morning for a stress-free breakfast experience.

Banana Bread Roll Storage Tricks

• Store cooled cinnamon rolls in an airtight container for up to 4 days. Wrap individually in plastic wrap to maintain moisture and prevent drying out.
• Place completely cooled rolls in a freezer-safe container, separating layers with parchment paper. Freeze up to 2 months for maximum freshness.
• Remove rolls from freezer and let them defrost at room temperature for 1-2 hours. Warm slightly in microwave for 15-20 seconds to restore softness.
• Warm rolls in oven at 300F for 5-7 minutes. Alternatively, microwave for 10-15 seconds, covering with a damp paper towel to prevent hardening and maintain original texture.

FAQs

• Can I use instant yeast instead of active dry yeast?

Yes, you can substitute instant yeast. Use the same amount, but skip the proofing step since instant yeast activates faster.

• Why do I need to let the dough rise twice?

The two-rise process helps develop flavor, creates a softer texture, and allows the yeast to work properly, resulting in lighter, fluffier rolls.

• Can I make these rolls ahead of time?

You can prepare the rolls up to the point of the second rise, then cover and refrigerate overnight. Remove from the fridge 30 minutes before baking to let them come to room temperature.

• Is it necessary to use walnuts in the filling?

No, walnuts are optional. You can omit them or substitute with pecans or skip nuts entirely based on your preference.

Banana Bread Cinnamon Rolls Recipe

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4.9 from 30 reviews

• Total Time: 2 hours 20 minutes
• Yield: 12 1x

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Description

Warm cinnamon-swirled banana bread rolls bring comfort straight from grandma’s kitchen. Sweet banana-infused dough wrapped with spicy cinnamon creates an irresistible morning treat you cannot resist.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup mashed banana (about 2 medium bananas)
• 2 large eggs

Liquid and Leavening Ingredients:

• 1 cup warm milk
• 2.25 teaspoons (2 1/4 teaspoons) active dry yeast

Sweeteners and Fats:

• 0.5 cup granulated sugar
• 0.5 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 teaspoon salt

Filling Ingredients:

• 0.5 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 2 tablespoons ground cinnamon
• 0.5 cup walnuts, chopped (optional)

Icing Ingredients:

• 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
• 0.5 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1.5 cups powdered sugar
• 0.5 teaspoon vanilla extract

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Instructions

1. Activate the yeast by whisking warm milk, yeast, and sugar in a spacious mixing bowl. Allow the mixture to rest for 5 minutes until foamy and fragrant.
2. Incorporate softened butter, beaten eggs, salt, and mashed bananas into the yeast mixture, stirring until thoroughly integrated.
3. Gradually fold in flour, transforming the mixture into a soft, pliable dough. Transfer to a floured surface and knead vigorously for 10 minutes until achieving a smooth, elastic consistency.
4. Transfer the dough to a greased bowl, drape with a clean kitchen towel, and let it rise in a draft-free zone for approximately 1 hour, or until it doubles in volume.
5. Craft the filling by blending softened butter, brown sugar, and ground cinnamon until creating a uniform, spreadable mixture.
6. Unfold the risen dough onto a floured workspace, rolling it into a generous 20×14-inch rectangle. Meticulously spread the cinnamon-sugar filling across the surface, ensuring even coverage. Sprinkle chopped walnuts for added texture if desired.
7. Tightly roll the dough from the extended side, forming a compact log. Slice the log into 12 uniform rolls using a sharp knife.
8. Arrange the rolls in a buttered baking dish, loosely cover, and allow for a secondary rise of 30 minutes in a warm environment.
9. Preheat the oven to 350F (175C). Bake the rolls for 25-30 minutes, monitoring until they transform into a rich, golden-brown hue.
10. While the rolls bake, whip the cream cheese, butter, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract into a silky, smooth icing.
11. Once the rolls emerge from the oven, generously drape the warm pastries with the prepared cream cheese icing.
12. Serve immediately, relishing the warm, decadent banana bread cinnamon rolls while they retain their peak deliciousness.

Notes

• Choose ripe, spotty bananas for maximum sweetness and intense banana flavor in your rolls.
• Swap regular flour with gluten-free blend to accommodate dietary restrictions without compromising texture.
• Toast walnuts briefly before adding to enhance their nutty depth and create a more complex flavor profile.
• Prevent over-proofing by checking dough rise in a cooler environment to maintain optimal yeast activity and prevent dense rolls.

• Prep Time: 1 hour 50 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Breakfast, Snacks, Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 12
• Calories: 311 kcal
• Sugar: 19 g
• Sodium: 146 mg
• Fat: 14 g
• Saturated Fat: 7 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
• Trans Fat: 0.3 g
• Carbohydrates: 41 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 5 g
• Cholesterol: 48 mg