Banana Bread Cinnamon Rolls Recipe

Introduction

These Banana Bread Cinnamon Rolls combine the comforting flavors of banana bread with the sweet, spicy swirl of classic cinnamon rolls. Soft, tender, and topped with a simple icing, they make a perfect treat for breakfast or dessert.

Ingredients

• 1 cup mashed ripe bananas (about 2 large bananas)
• 2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 2 1/4 tsp active dry yeast
• 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
• 1/2 cup warm milk
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 large egg
• 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
• 2 tsp ground cinnamon
• 2 tbsp unsalted butter, softened (for filling)
• 1 cup powdered sugar (for icing)
• 2-3 tbsp milk (for icing)

Instructions

1. Step 1: In a bowl, whisk together the warm milk, yeast, and a pinch of sugar. Let it sit until foamy, about 5 minutes.
2. Step 2: Add the mashed bananas, melted butter, egg, granulated sugar, and salt to the yeast mixture. Stir until combined.
3. Step 3: Gradually mix in the flour until a smooth dough forms. Knead the dough for about 5 minutes, then cover and let it rise until doubled in size, roughly 1 hour.
4. Step 4: Roll the dough into a rectangle. Spread the softened butter evenly over the surface, then sprinkle with brown sugar and cinnamon. Roll the dough tightly into a log and slice into 9 rolls.
5. Step 5: Place the rolls in a greased baking dish. Cover and let rise for another 20 minutes. Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 25 minutes or until golden brown.
6. Step 6: While the rolls bake, whisk together the powdered sugar and milk to make the icing. Drizzle the icing over the warm rolls before serving.

Tips & Variations

• Use very ripe bananas for the best flavor and natural sweetness.
• For a richer dough, substitute warm milk with warm buttermilk.
• Add chopped nuts like walnuts or pecans to the filling for extra texture.
• Try swapping cinnamon for pumpkin pie spice for a seasonal twist.

Storage

Store leftover banana bread cinnamon rolls in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. For longer storage, refrigerate for up to 5 days or freeze for up to 2 months. Reheat gently in the microwave or oven, then drizzle with fresh icing if desired.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make the dough ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare the dough and let it rise in the refrigerator overnight. Bring it to room temperature before shaping and baking.

What if I don’t have active dry yeast?

Instant yeast can be used as a substitute in equal amounts. It can be mixed directly with the dry ingredients without proofing.

Banana Bread Cinnamon Rolls Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.9 from 131 reviews

Deliciously soft and fluffy Banana Bread Cinnamon Rolls, combining the sweet, comforting flavors of ripe bananas and warm cinnamon rolled into a tender yeast dough. These cinnamon rolls feature a rich filling of brown sugar and butter, baked to a golden perfection, and topped with a smooth vanilla icing for the perfect sweet finish.

• Author: Daniel
• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Total Time: 1 hour 45 minutes
• Yield: 9 cinnamon rolls 1x
• Category: Breakfast
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Dough

• 1 cup mashed ripe bananas (about 2 large bananas)
• 2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 2 1/4 tsp active dry yeast
• 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
• 1/2 cup warm milk
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 large egg

Filling

• 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
• 2 tsp ground cinnamon
• 2 tbsp unsalted butter, softened

Icing

• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 2–3 tbsp milk

Instructions

1. Activate the yeast: In a bowl, whisk together warm milk, yeast, and a pinch of granulated sugar. Let this mixture sit until it becomes foamy, which should take about 5 minutes. This indicates the yeast is active and ready to use.
2. Combine wet ingredients: Add mashed bananas, melted butter, egg, granulated sugar, and salt into the yeast mixture. Stir all ingredients together until fully incorporated, creating the wet base for your dough.
3. Make the dough: Gradually mix in the all-purpose flour until a smooth dough forms. Knead the dough for 5 minutes to develop gluten for a soft texture. Cover the dough and let it rise in a warm place until it doubles in size, roughly 1 hour.
4. Prepare the filling and roll the dough: Roll the risen dough into a large rectangle. Spread the softened butter evenly over the surface. Sprinkle the brown sugar and ground cinnamon mixture on top. Carefully roll the dough tightly from one long edge to form a log, then slice it into 9 even rolls.
5. Second rise and bake: Place the sliced rolls into a greased baking dish. Cover them with a cloth and let them rise for an additional 20 minutes to become fluffy. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and bake the rolls for 25 minutes or until they turn golden brown on top.
6. Prepare and apply icing: While the rolls bake, whisk together powdered sugar and milk to make a smooth icing. Drizzle the icing generously over the warm cinnamon rolls just before serving for added sweetness and moisture.

Notes

• Ensure the milk is warm, not hot, when activating yeast to prevent killing the yeast.
• For best results, use very ripe bananas for maximum sweetness and moisture.
• You can store leftover rolls in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days, or refrigerate for up to a week.
• Reheat rolls briefly in the microwave before serving to restore softness.
• If you prefer a thicker icing, reduce the milk slightly; add more milk for a thinner glaze.

Keywords: banana bread cinnamon rolls, banana cinnamon rolls, cinnamon rolls recipe, breakfast pastries, yeast rolls, banana recipes, homemade cinnamon rolls