Banana Bread Cinnamon Rolls Recipe

Meet your new brunch obsession: Banana Bread Cinnamon Rolls. These ultra-soft, swirly delights fuse the nostalgic comfort of banana bread with the gooey, irresistible magic of classic cinnamon rolls. Each bite offers real banana flavor tucked into a swirl of brown sugar, cinnamon, and buttery dough, finished with a luscious cream cheese frosting. Whether you’re spoiling your family on a lazy weekend or treating your friends to a special breakfast, Banana Bread Cinnamon Rolls promise to make any morning unforgettable.

Ingredients You’ll Need

The secret to perfect Banana Bread Cinnamon Rolls lies in simple, thoughtful ingredients that come together for plush texture and deep, cozy flavors. Each ingredient brings its own unique contribution, ensuring these rolls are anything but ordinary.

• Lukewarm Milk (1 cup, 120–130°F): The warmth kickstarts the yeast and helps create that pillowy-soft dough.
• Unsalted Butter (6 tbsp for dough, 4 tbsp for filling, 4 tbsp for frosting): Melted into the dough for tenderness, smeared into the filling for richness, and whipped into the frosting for creamy perfection.
• Granulated Sugar (½ cup): Adds sweetness and helps golden up the rolls.
• All-Purpose Flour (4½ to 5 cups): Provides just enough structure without being dense—don’t exceed 5 cups for fluffiest results!
• Instant Yeast (2¼ tsp): Promises an easy, reliable rise that’s practically foolproof.
• Salt (1½ tsp): Enhances every sweet, aromatic note throughout the rolls.
• Mashed Ripe Banana (½ cup): Packs real banana flavor right into the dough for a naturally sweet twist.
• Packed Light Brown Sugar (½ cup): Melts into a caramel swirl inside every roll.
• Ground Cinnamon (1 tbsp): The warmth and spice that gives every bite that classic roll aroma.
• Bananas, Thinly Sliced (2 bananas): Tucked inside for extra moistness and bursts of fruit.
• Heavy Cream, Warmed (¼ cup): Poured on before baking for gooey, decadent rolls.
• Cream Cheese, Softened (4 oz): The dreamy base for your tangy-sweet frosting.
• Powdered Sugar (1½ cups): Sweetens the frosting while keeping it smooth and fluffy.
• Vanilla Extract (1 tsp): Rounds out the frosting with fragrant warmth.

How to Make 

Step 1: Prepare the Dough Base

Start by gently warming your milk, butter, and sugar together until the butter fully melts and the mixture registers between 120–130°F. This is just the right cozy temperature to activate your yeast. The added sweetness from the sugar boosts the yeast’s power, helping everything puff up beautifully.

Step 2: Mix and Knead the Dough

In a large bowl, whisk your flour, instant yeast, and salt together. Pour in your warm milk mixture and add the mashed ripe banana. Use a wooden spoon or the paddle attachment of your mixer to bring the ingredients together—it’ll look shaggy at first, but that’s exactly right. Once combined, knead the dough for 6–8 minutes until it’s elastic, smooth, and just a little tacky.

Step 3: Allow to Rise

Place your dough in a greased bowl and cover tightly. Let it rise in a warm spot until it has doubled in size, about 1 to 1½ hours. This is the magic moment when all those flavors mingle and your Banana Bread Cinnamon Rolls begin to take shape.

Step 4: Shape and Fill the Rolls

On a lightly floured surface, roll the dough to a large, even rectangle about 18 by 12 inches. Slather the softened butter all over, sprinkle generously with brown sugar and cinnamon, then layer on your thin banana slices from edge to edge. Roll the dough up firmly from the long end, pinching the seam closed. Slice into 12 even pieces with a sharp knife or dental floss for neat swirls.

Step 5: Second Rise

Arrange your cut Banana Bread Cinnamon Rolls in a well-buttered 9×13-inch baking pan, crowding them in slightly so they rise into each other and stay nice and tender. Cover and let them rise again for 45–75 minutes, until they’re puffed and filling the pan.

Step 6: Bake to Perfection

Just before baking, pour warm heavy cream over the risen rolls—this secret trick guarantees gooey, plush centers. Bake at 350°F for 30–35 minutes until the tops are golden and your kitchen smells positively dreamy.

Step 7: Frost and Serve

As soon as the rolls are out of the oven, blend together softened cream cheese, butter, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract until wonderfully fluffy. Spread onto the warm rolls, allowing the frosting to melt into all those nooks and crannies. The result? Utter breakfast bliss.

How to Serve 

Garnishes

For an extra pop, a sprinkle of toasted chopped pecans or walnuts on top of the warm frosting brings welcome crunch and nuttiness. Add a dusting of cinnamon or banana chips for a playful, decorative flair. Even a few banana slices arranged on the side show off the rolls’ star ingredient.

Side Dishes

A platter of Banana Bread Cinnamon Rolls pairs splendidly with fresh fruit salad for brightness, or a side of crispy bacon or plant-based sausage for contrast. A piping hot cup of coffee or chai latte balances out the sweet richness and warms up any brunch spread.

Creative Ways to Present

Try baking individual rolls in muffin tins for grab-and-go treats, or building a dramatic stack drizzled with extra cream cheese frosting and sprinkled with cinnamon. For parties, serve mini rolls on a tiered cake stand for a show-stopping centerpiece everyone will remember.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

If you happen to have leftover Banana Bread Cinnamon Rolls, store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. If you’d like to keep them even softer, refrigerate them—just be sure to warm before eating for maximum gooeyness.

Freezing

These rolls freeze wonderfully either before or after baking. To freeze before baking, assemble the rolls and freeze the pan, tightly wrapped, before the second rise. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight, then rise and bake as directed. To freeze after baking, wrap individual rolls well; they’ll keep for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight, then reheat and frost.

Reheating

Pop a single Banana Bread Cinnamon Roll into the microwave for about 20–30 seconds, or warm multiple rolls in a low oven (about 300°F) covered with foil until heated through. If you’ve stored the frosting separately, add it after reheating. Nobody will guess they aren’t fresh from the oven!

FAQs

Can I prep these Banana Bread Cinnamon Rolls the night before?

Absolutely! Make the rolls up to the point of the second rise, cover the pan, and pop it in the fridge overnight. In the morning, let them come to room temperature and finish rising before baking—perfect for effortless brunch.

Do I need super ripe bananas for this recipe?

Yes, the riper the bananas, the better. Those speckled, nearly-black bananas deliver much deeper flavor and sweetness, making your Banana Bread Cinnamon Rolls taste extra special.

Can I make these dairy-free or vegan?

You can adapt the recipe using plant-based butter, dairy-free milk (like almond or oat), and vegan cream cheese. The result will still be soft, swirly, and delicious.

Why pour warm cream over the rolls before baking?

This bakery trick creates extra soft, gooey rolls every single time. The cream soaks into the dough, keeping it tender and creating those coveted sticky centers.

How do I avoid my rolls getting too dense or dry?

Measure your flour carefully and don’t exceed 5 cups. Too much flour leads to dense rolls. Also, keep a close eye during baking—pull them out as soon as they’re golden on top and set in the middle.

Final Thoughts

If you’re ready to wow your family or friends, these Banana Bread Cinnamon Rolls are the ultimate treat to bake and share. From the warm, banana-kissed dough to the creamy swirl of cinnamon and frosting, they’re truly worth every step—and every bite. Don’t wait for a special occasion; make your next morning magical!

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