Banana Cinnamon Rolls (Printable)
Soft rolls filled with ripe banana and cinnamon, topped with creamy glaze for a delicious breakfast treat.
# What You’ll Need:
→ Dough
01 - 3 ½ cups all-purpose flour
02 - ¼ cup granulated sugar
03 - 2 ¼ tsp active dry yeast (1 packet)
04 - ½ tsp salt
05 - ¾ cup warm milk
06 - ¼ cup unsalted butter, melted
07 - 2 large eggs
08 - 1 ripe banana, mashed
→ Filling
09 - ⅓ cup unsalted butter, softened
10 - ½ cup brown sugar
11 - 1 tbsp ground cinnamon
12 - 1 large banana, thinly sliced
→ Cream Cheese Glaze
13 - 4 oz cream cheese, softened
14 - 2 tbsp unsalted butter, softened
15 - 1 cup powdered sugar
16 - 1–2 tbsp milk
17 - ½ tsp vanilla extract
# How To Make:
01 - Whisk together warm milk, sugar, and yeast in a large bowl. Let stand 5 minutes until mixture becomes foamy and fragrant.
02 - Add melted butter, mashed banana, eggs, and salt to the yeast mixture. Stir thoroughly to incorporate all ingredients.
03 - Gradually add flour while mixing to form a soft, shaggy dough that pulls away from the sides of the bowl.
04 - Turn dough onto a lightly floured surface. Knead for 6–8 minutes until smooth, elastic, and no longer sticky.
05 - Place dough in a greased bowl, turning to coat all sides. Cover with plastic wrap and let rise in a warm, draft-free area until doubled in size, approximately 1 hour.
06 - Punch down risen dough to release air. Roll out into a 16x12-inch rectangle on a lightly floured surface.
07 - Spread softened butter evenly over the dough surface. Sprinkle brown sugar and cinnamon mixture, then arrange banana slices in a single layer.
08 - Starting from the long edge, roll dough tightly into a log. Cut into 12 equal portions using a sharp knife or bench scraper.
09 - Place rolls cut-side up in a greased 9x13-inch baking dish. Cover loosely with a towel and let rise for 30 minutes until puffy.
10 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Bake rolls for 22–25 minutes until golden brown and cooked through. The center should spring back when lightly touched.
11 - Beat cream cheese and butter until smooth and creamy. Incorporate powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and milk 1 tablespoon at a time until reaching desired pourable consistency.
12 - Drizzle glaze generously over warm rolls immediately after removing from the oven. Serve while warm for optimal texture and flavor.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- The mashed banana in the dough makes these rolls stay softer longer than traditional cinnamon rolls
- That cream cheese glaze takes just five minutes but makes everything feel like a bakery experience
- They freeze beautifully so you can wake up to homemade breakfast without any morning work
02 -
- Dough that rises too fast in a warm spot can develop an off taste. Find a consistently warm area around 75°F.
- Use unflavored dental floss to cut rolls. It slices cleanly without squishing the dough like a knife can.
- The glaze will set as it cools, so if you want it softer and more pourable, add an extra teaspoon of milk.
03 -
- Room temperature ingredients prevent the butter from seizing when you mix the dough
- If your kitchen runs cold, turn your oven on to its lowest setting for 30 seconds then turn it off and let the dough rise inside