You know that moment when you pull a warm batch of Banana Bread Cinnamon Rolls with Cream Cheese Frosting out of the oven? The smell wafts through your kitchen like a cozy hug on a chilly day. These rolls are soft and fluffy, with hints of sweet bananas and spicy cinnamon dancing together in perfect harmony. Top them off with luscious cream cheese frosting, and you’ve got a treat that’s totally irresistible.
Every time I make these delightful rolls, I can’t help but think of my childhood Sunday mornings. My mom would whip up a similar recipe, filling our home with enchanting aromas. Now, as an adult trying to recreate those memories, I find myself caught up in laughter while rolling dough and licking frosting off my fingers. These rolls aren’t just delicious; they are the essence of warmth and nostalgia wrapped in a swirl.
Why You'll Love This Recipe
- These Banana Bread Cinnamon Rolls are super easy to prepare and perfect for breakfast or dessert
- Their unique flavor combines classic banana bread and cinnamon roll goodness
- Each roll is visually stunning and topped with creamy frosting that’s hard to resist
- Enjoy them fresh from the oven or save some for later—if they last that long!
I still remember the first time I made these for a family gathering—the smiles on their faces were priceless!
Essential Ingredients
Here’s what you’ll need to make this delicious dish:
- Ripe Bananas: Use two to three ripe bananas for the best sweetness and flavor; overripe is even better!
- All-Purpose Flour: Choose unbleached flour for a nice texture; it helps your rolls rise beautifully.
- Granulated Sugar: A bit adds sweetness; don’t skimp here unless you want sad-looking rolls.
- Brown Sugar: Brown sugar adds moisture and depth; feel free to use dark brown for extra richness.
- Cinnamon: Use ground cinnamon for that warm spice flavor that pairs perfectly with bananas.
- Yeast: Active dry yeast works best; it gives your rolls that delightful fluffiness we all crave.
- Butter: Use unsalted butter for both the dough and frosting; it enhances flavor without adding extra salt.
- Cream Cheese: Softened cream cheese is essential for the frosting’s rich texture; it should be at room temperature.
- Powdered Sugar: For sweetening the frosting without grittiness; use sifted powdered sugar for smooth results.
- Milk: Whole milk adds creaminess to your frosting; adjust as needed for desired consistency.
The full ingredients list, including measurements, is provided in the recipe card directly below.
Let’s Make It Together
Prepare the Dough: Start by mashing your ripe bananas in a mixing bowl until smooth. Add warmed milk and melted butter to create a flavorful base.
Add Yeast Mixture: Sprinkle active dry yeast over your banana mixture and let it sit until bubbly—about 5-10 minutes—this means it’s alive and kicking!
Mix Dry Ingredients: In another bowl, whisk together flour, granulated sugar, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt. Slowly incorporate this dry mix into your wet mixture until combined.
Knead the Dough: Lightly flour a clean surface and knead your dough for about 5 minutes until it’s elastic yet slightly sticky—just like my old gym teacher used to say!
Let It Rise: Place your kneaded dough in an oiled bowl covered with plastic wrap. Let it rise in a warm area until doubled in size—around 1 hour is ideal.
Create Your Filling: In a small bowl, mix brown sugar and cinnamon together. Roll out your dough into a rectangle shape on a floured surface before spreading softened butter on top.
Add Filling & Roll Up: Sprinkle cinnamon-sugar mixture evenly over buttered dough. Roll tightly from one end to another into a log shape before slicing into equal pieces.
Bake Your Rolls: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Arrange sliced rolls in a greased baking dish; bake for 25-30 minutes until golden brown—your kitchen will smell divine!
Make Cream Cheese Frosting: While waiting impatiently (but happily!) for them to cool slightly after baking, beat softened cream cheese together with powdered sugar and milk until smooth.
Top each roll generously with cream cheese frosting while they’re still warm! You’ll want every bite slathered in that creamy goodness.
Now you have created an amazing batch of Banana Bread Cinnamon Rolls with Cream Cheese Frosting! Perfect for brunch gatherings or cozy evenings at home—enjoy every last bite!
You Must Know
- These Banana Bread Cinnamon Rolls with Cream Cheese Frosting are a delightful twist on classic cinnamon rolls
- The aroma fills your kitchen, making it feel warm and inviting
- With a soft texture and sweet, tangy frosting, they’ll quickly become a family favorite
Perfecting the Cooking Process
Start by making the banana bread dough first; while it rises, prepare the cinnamon filling. This sequence enhances flavor development and ensures perfect baking.
Add Your Touch
Feel free to add nuts or chocolate chips to the filling for extra texture and flavor. Experimenting can lead to your unique version of these delightful rolls.
Storing & Reheating
Store any leftover rolls in an airtight container at room temperature for up to three days. Reheat in the microwave for 15 seconds for that fresh-out-of-the-oven taste.
Chef's Helpful Tips
- Use overripe bananas for maximum sweetness and moisture in your dough
- Don’t skip the resting time; it helps develop flavors beautifully
- A thin layer of cream cheese frosting complements the rolls perfectly without overwhelming them
Sometimes I bring these rolls to family gatherings, and everyone fights over the last piece—it’s like a delicious tug-of-war!
FAQ
Can I use frozen bananas for this recipe?
Yes, thawed frozen bananas work great in banana bread cinnamon rolls.
How long do these rolls stay fresh?
They remain fresh for about three days stored at room temperature.
Is there a dairy-free option for the frosting?
Absolutely! Substitute cream cheese with vegan cream cheese or coconut yogurt for a dairy-free version.
Banana Bread Cinnamon Rolls with Cream Cheese Frosting
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: Serves approximately 12 rolls
Description
Indulge in the heavenly blend of soft banana bread and cinnamon rolls, drizzled with creamy frosting. These delightful treats are perfect for breakfast or dessert!
Ingredients
- Ripe bananas
- All-purpose flour
- Granulated sugar
- Brown sugar
- Ground cinnamon
- Active dry yeast
- Unsalted butter
- Cream cheese
- Powdered sugar
- Whole milk
Instructions
- 1. Prepare the Dough: Mash ripe bananas in a mixing bowl. Mix in warmed milk and melted butter until combined.
- 2. Activate Yeast: Sprinkle active dry yeast over the banana mixture and let sit for 5–10 minutes until bubbly.
- 3. Combine Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, granulated sugar, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt. Gradually mix this into the wet ingredients until well combined.
- 4. Knead Dough: Lightly flour your surface and knead the dough for about 5 minutes until elastic and slightly sticky.
- 5. Let It Rise: Place the dough in an oiled bowl covered with plastic wrap. Let it rise in a warm place until doubled in size (about 1 hour).
- 6. Create Filling: Mix brown sugar and cinnamon together. Roll out dough into a rectangle and spread softened butter on top.
- 7. Add Filling & Roll Up: Sprinkle the cinnamon-sugar mixture over the buttered dough, roll tightly into a log shape, and slice into equal pieces.
- 8. Bake Rolls: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and arrange sliced rolls in a greased baking dish. Bake for 25–30 minutes until golden brown.
- 9. Make Frosting: Beat softened cream cheese with powdered sugar and milk until smooth; top warm rolls generously.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 roll (75g)
- Calories: 270
- Sugar: 14g
- Sodium: 120mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 41g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 20mg
