Description
These Banana Bread Cinnamon Rolls combine the rich flavor of ripe bananas with classic cinnamon roll sweetness, creating a soft, tender dough swirled with a cinnamon-sugar filling and topped with a smooth vanilla glaze. Perfect for breakfast or brunch, these rolls bring a unique twist to a beloved pastry.
Ingredients
Scale
Dough
- 2 ½ – 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 ripe bananas, mashed
- 1 packet (2 ¼ tsp) active dry yeast
- ¼ cup warm milk
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 1 egg
- ¼ cup unsalted butter, melted
- ½ tsp salt
Filling
- ½ cup brown sugar
- 2 tsp cinnamon
- ¼ cup unsalted butter, softened
Glaze
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2 tbsp milk (or heavy cream for richness)
- ½ tsp vanilla extract
Instructions
- Activate the yeast: Mix warm milk and granulated sugar in a small bowl. Sprinkle the active dry yeast on top and let it sit for 5–10 minutes until it becomes foamy, indicating the yeast is active and ready.
- Make the dough: In a large mixing bowl, mash the ripe bananas until smooth. Add the egg, melted butter, salt, and the activated yeast mixture. Gradually mix in the all-purpose flour until a dough begins to form.
- Knead and let rise: Turn the dough out onto a floured surface and knead for about 5 minutes until it becomes smooth and elastic. Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover it with a clean towel or plastic wrap, and let it rise in a warm place for 1 to 1.5 hours until it doubles in size.
- Prepare the filling: In a small bowl, combine the softened butter, brown sugar, and ground cinnamon until fully mixed and spreadable.
- Shape the rolls: Once the dough has risen, roll it out into a 12 by 18-inch rectangle on a floured surface. Evenly spread the cinnamon sugar filling over the dough. Carefully roll the dough into a log shape starting from one of the longer edges, then cut the log into 12 equal slices.
- Second rise: Arrange the cinnamon rolls in a greased baking pan, making sure they have space to expand. Cover them again and let rise for another 30 to 40 minutes until puffed and nearly doubled in size.
- Bake: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake the rolls for 25 to 30 minutes, or until they are golden brown on top and cooked through.
- Make the glaze and finish: While the rolls are warm, mix the powdered sugar, milk (or heavy cream), and vanilla extract until smooth. Drizzle this glaze generously over the rolls before serving.
Notes
- Use ripe bananas for the best sweetness and moisture in the dough.
- If the dough is too sticky, add flour gradually but avoid adding too much to keep rolls soft.
- For a richer glaze, substitute milk with heavy cream.
- Ensure yeast is fresh and active to get a good rise.
- Keep the dough covered during rising to prevent it from drying out.
- Serve rolls warm for the best taste and texture.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: banana bread cinnamon rolls, breakfast rolls, cinnamon sugar rolls, banana dessert, homemade cinnamon rolls, sweet rolls
