🍌 Banana Bread Cinnamon Rolls: The Ultimate Comfort Bake Everyone Loves 💛

If you’ve ever found yourself torn between baking a loaf of cozy banana bread or indulging in the irresistible pull of cinnamon rolls — today’s your lucky day! 🎉 This Banana Bread Cinnamon Rolls recipe combines the best of both worlds: soft, fluffy rolls infused with sweet ripe banana flavor, swirled with a gooey cinnamon-sugar filling, and topped with luscious cream cheese frosting.

It’s comfort food at its finest — warm, sticky, fragrant, and soul-soothing. Whether you’re baking these for a lazy weekend breakfast, brunch with friends, or a sweet midnight treat, one thing’s for sure: everyone will be asking for seconds. 😋

---

🌟 Why You’ll Love This Recipe

✨ Soft & Pillowy Dough: The mashed bananas make the dough incredibly tender and moist — no dry rolls here!
✨ Naturally Sweet & Aromatic: Bananas and brown sugar team up for a deep, caramel-like sweetness.
✨ Perfect for Any Occasion: Breakfast, dessert, brunch, or even gifting — these rolls fit every mood.
✨ Crowd-Favorite: Tried, tested, and loved by home bakers everywhere.
✨ Freezer-Friendly: You can make these ahead, freeze them, and enjoy homemade rolls anytime.

---

🍌 Ingredients You’ll Need

For the Dough:

• 1 cup warm milk (about 110°F / 43°C – warm to the touch but not hot)
• 2¼ teaspoons (1 packet) active dry yeast
• ½ cup granulated sugar
• ½ cup melted unsalted butter
• 2 large eggs 🥚
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 4 cups all-purpose flour (plus a little extra for kneading)
• 1 cup mashed ripe banana (about 2–3 medium bananas 🍌🍌🍌)

For the Filling:

• ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup packed brown sugar
• 2 tablespoons ground cinnamon
• ½ cup chopped walnuts (optional but adds a lovely crunch 🌰)

For the Icing:

• 4 oz cream cheese, softened
• ¼ cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1½ cups powdered sugar
• ½ teaspoon vanilla extract

---

🕒 Baking Time Breakdown

• Prep Time: 2 hours (includes rising)
• Bake Time: 25–30 minutes
• Total Time: 2 hours 30 minutes
• Servings: 12 heavenly rolls
• Calories: ~450 kcal per roll (worth every bite 😅)

---

👩‍🍳 Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Activate the Yeast

In a large mixing bowl, whisk together warm milk, yeast, and 1 tablespoon of sugar. Let it rest for about 5 minutes, or until you see foamy bubbles forming on the surface. That’s your yeast coming to life! 🌿

Tip: If your yeast doesn’t foam, your milk might’ve been too hot or the yeast expired. Start fresh to ensure a perfect rise later.

---

Step 2: Build the Banana Dough

Add melted butter, eggs, salt, and mashed bananas into the yeast mixture. Stir until everything looks well combined and slightly creamy. Gradually add the flour, one cup at a time, mixing after each addition.

Once the dough starts pulling away from the bowl, transfer it to a floured surface and knead for about 8–10 minutes. It should be smooth, elastic, and slightly tacky but not sticky.

Pro Tip: If you poke the dough with your finger, it should bounce back slowly — that’s how you know it’s ready!

Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover with a clean kitchen towel, and let it rise in a warm place for 1 hour or until doubled in size.

---

Step 3: Prepare the Filling

While the dough rises, mix the softened butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon together in a bowl until you get a thick, spreadable paste. This is the heart of your cinnamon swirl — aromatic, buttery, and sweet 😍

If you’re a texture lover, stir in the chopped walnuts for a subtle crunch that balances the softness of the rolls.

---

Step 4: Shape & Roll

Once your dough has risen beautifully, punch it down gently to release excess air (don’t worry, it’s supposed to deflate).

On a lightly floured surface, roll the dough into a 20×14-inch rectangle. Spread the cinnamon filling evenly over the surface, right up to the edges.

Starting from the long side, roll the dough tightly into a log. Using a sharp knife or unflavored dental floss (yes, it works perfectly! 🧵), cut the log into 12 even rolls.

Arrange them in a greased 9×13-inch baking dish, spacing them slightly apart.

---

Step 5: Second Rise & Bake

Cover the dish with a towel and let the rolls rise again for 30 minutes while preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C).

When ready, bake for 25–30 minutes, or until golden brown on top and your kitchen smells like a bakery. ✨

---

Step 6: Make the Dreamy Cream Cheese Icing

While the rolls cool slightly, beat together cream cheese, butter, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract until smooth and creamy.

Spread generously over the warm rolls so it melts slightly into the swirls. 🌀 The result? Soft, creamy frosting dripping down every roll — pure heaven.

---

🍯 Variations & Add-Ins

• Chocolate Banana Rolls: Add mini chocolate chips or Nutella swirls to the filling 🍫
• Caramel Lovers: Drizzle salted caramel sauce on top of the icing for extra indulgence 🍮
• Healthier Version: Substitute half the flour with whole wheat flour and reduce sugar slightly
• Gluten-Free Option: Use a gluten-free flour blend (with xanthan gum included)

---

☕ What to Serve With Banana Bread Cinnamon Rolls

These rolls are perfect with:

• A hot cup of coffee or latte ☕
• Chai tea with warm spices
• Cold milk for kids (or adults who know what’s good 😋)
• Fresh fruit salad for a balanced brunch

---

🧊 How to Store & Reheat

• Room Temperature: Store in an airtight container for up to 2 days.
• Fridge: Up to 5 days — just reheat in the microwave for 15–20 seconds.
• Freezer: Freeze unglazed rolls for up to 2 months; thaw overnight and warm before icing.

Quick Tip: To refresh day-old rolls, sprinkle a few drops of water before microwaving — it revives their softness beautifully!

---

❤️ Final Thoughts

There’s something magical about Banana Bread Cinnamon Rolls. They capture the nostalgia of banana bread and the irresistible allure of cinnamon buns, all in one bite. Every swirl tells a story of sweetness, warmth, and comfort — perfect for sharing with family or savoring quietly on a cozy morning.

Whether you’re new to baking or a seasoned pro, this recipe never disappoints. Once you try it, it’s bound to become a family favorite for years to come. 💕

So go ahead — grab those ripe bananas on your counter and turn them into a masterpiece. Your home will smell divine, and your heart (and taste buds) will thank you! 🍌✨

Print