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There’s nothing quite like the comforting aroma of freshly baked cinnamon rolls wafting through your kitchen. Now imagine that indulgent experience paired with the sweet, fruity flavor of banana bread. Enter banana cinnamon rolls—a decadent treat that combines the best of both worlds. With banana-infused dough, a cinnamon filling layered with sliced bananas, and a luscious cream cheese icing, these rolls are guaranteed to impress your taste buds.

Whether you’re preparing breakfast for your family or looking for a crowd-pleasing dessert, this recipe is sure to become a favorite. Let’s dive into the details of crafting these heavenly banana cinnamon rolls step by step.

Ingredients

For the Banana Dough:

¾ cup milk, warmed to 110℉
2¼ tsp active dry yeast (1 packet, 11 grams)
1 large egg, room temperature and lightly beaten
⅔ cup mashed bananas (about 2 bananas)
5¼ cups all-purpose flour
1 tsp salt
¼ cup white granulated sugar
10 tbsp unsalted butter, room temperature and cubed

For the Cinnamon Banana Filling:

½ cup unsalted butter, room temperature
¾ cup brown sugar (light or dark), packed
1 tbsp ground cinnamon
2 bananas, sliced thinly

For the Cream Cheese Icing:

4 oz cream cheese, room temperature
4 tbsp unsalted butter, room temperature
1 cup powdered sugar, sifted
1 tsp pure vanilla extract

Instructions

Making the Banana Dough

Begin by warming the milk in the microwave until it reaches 110℉. Sprinkle the active dry yeast over the milk and let it rest for about 10 minutes until it becomes frothy.

In a large bowl, combine the flour, sugar, and salt. Add the cubed butter and use either a pastry kneader or your hands to work the butter into the flour mixture until it resembles pea-sized crumbs.

Next, mix the milk and yeast mixture, beaten egg, and mashed bananas into the dry ingredients. Using a stand mixer fitted with a dough hook, knead on low speed until the dough starts to come together. Then switch to medium speed and knead for about 5 minutes. If making the dough by hand, follow the instructions in the recipe notes below.

Preheat your oven to 200℉ and spray a large mixing bowl with nonstick spray. Place the dough in the bowl—it will be sticky but manageable—and cover it with a kitchen towel. Turn off the oven and crack open the door slightly. Allow the dough to rise in this warm environment for one hour to ensure proper fermentation.

Preparing the Cinnamon Banana Filling

While the dough is rising, prepare the filling. In a small bowl, use a hand mixer to beat the butter on high speed until smooth. Add in the brown sugar and ground cinnamon, mixing on medium speed for one minute until combined.

Once the dough has risen, transfer it to a lightly floured surface. Sprinkle a bit of extra flour over the top of the dough and roll it out into a large rectangle about ¼ inch thick using a rolling pin. Spread the cinnamon filling evenly over the surface of the dough using an offset spatula. Then layer the sliced bananas on top, distributing them evenly across the rectangle.

Starting from one of the shorter sides, tightly roll the dough into a log. Trim off any uneven ends and use a serrated knife to slice the log into 12 equal pieces.

Assembling and Baking

Spray a 9×13-inch baking pan with nonstick spray and arrange the rolls evenly in the pan. Cover them with a kitchen towel and let them rise for an additional 20 minutes while you preheat your oven to 375℉.

Bake the rolls for 28–33 minutes or until their tops turn lightly golden brown. Remove them from the oven and allow them to cool slightly before icing.

Making the Cream Cheese Icing

In a small bowl, beat together cream cheese and butter on high speed for one minute until creamy. Add in sifted powdered sugar and vanilla extract, mixing first on low speed to combine and then on high speed until smooth and fluffy.

Using a spoon or spatula, generously dollop and spread the icing over each roll while they’re still warm. The heat will slightly melt the icing into every crevice of these delightful treats.

Tips for Success

Measure Flour Properly: To avoid dry rolls, spoon and level your flour or use a kitchen scale for accuracy. The bananas in this dough require extra flour due to their moisture content—5¼ cups is ideal for achieving balance.
Room Temperature Ingredients: For best results, let your dairy products sit out for at least two hours before baking so they incorporate smoothly into your dough and icing.
Hand-Kneading Option: If you don’t have a stand mixer, you can mix the wet ingredients into the dry using a rubber spatula and then knead by hand on a floured surface for 5–8 minutes until smooth and elastic. To check if your dough is ready, stretch it thinly between your fingers—if you can see light through it without tearing, it’s done!
Overnight Preparation: If you’re short on time in the morning, follow all instructions up to slicing and arranging the rolls in your pan. Cover them with foil and refrigerate overnight. The next day, let them sit at room temperature while your oven preheats before baking as directed.

Nutrition Information (Per Roll)

Conclusion

Banana cinnamon rolls are more than just a dessert—they’re an experience that combines comfort food classics into one irresistible creation. The soft banana-infused dough paired with sweet cinnamon filling and creamy icing makes every bite unforgettable. Whether you’re hosting brunch or simply treating yourself to something special, these rolls are bound to become a staple in your baking repertoire.

So grab those ripe bananas sitting on your counter and get ready to bake up some magic!

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Banana Cinnamon Rolls Recipe