Description
Delight in the comforting fusion of classic banana bread and cinnamon rolls with this easy-to-make Banana Bread Cinnamon Rolls recipe. Featuring ripe bananas for natural sweetness, a spiced cinnamon swirl, and a luscious cream cheese glaze, these rolls are perfect for breakfast, brunch, or an indulgent snack.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
Wet Ingredients
- 2–3 ripe bananas, mashed
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 1/3 cup melted butter
- 1 egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Dry Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
Cinnamon Sugar Swirl
- Equal parts brown sugar and ground cinnamon (quantity enough to generously sprinkle over dough, approx. 2 tablespoons each)
Glaze
- 1/2 cup softened cream cheese
- 1/4 cup powdered sugar
- 1 tablespoon milk
Instructions
- Preparation: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking dish with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure easy cleanup.
- Mix Wet Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the mashed bananas, granulated sugar, brown sugar, melted butter, egg, and vanilla extract. Stir until the mixture is smooth and well blended.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and ground cinnamon to evenly distribute the leavening agents and spice.
- Incorporate Dry into Wet: Gradually fold the dry ingredients into the wet banana mixture until just combined, taking care not to overmix to preserve a tender texture.
- Shape the Dough: Transfer the dough onto a floured surface and gently roll it out into a rectangular shape approximately 1/2-inch thick.
- Add Cinnamon Sugar and Roll: Generously sprinkle the cinnamon sugar mixture evenly over the dough rectangle. Then, carefully roll the dough tightly from one end to the other into a log shape.
- Cut Rolls: Slice the rolled dough log into 1-inch thick rolls and place them upright in the prepared baking dish, leaving slight spaces for expansion.
- Bake: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes until the rolls turn golden brown and are cooked through.
- Prepare Glaze: While the rolls bake, beat together the softened cream cheese, powdered sugar, and milk until the glaze is smooth and creamy.
- Glaze and Serve: Remove the rolls from the oven, drizzle the cream cheese glaze over them generously, and serve warm for the best flavor experience.
Notes
- For sweeter rolls, use very ripe bananas with lots of brown spots.
- Do not overmix the dough to keep the rolls light and tender.
- If you prefer a thicker glaze, reduce the milk quantity slightly.
- These rolls can be stored covered at room temperature for up to 2 days or refrigerated for up to 5 days.
- Reheat gently before serving to restore softness and enhance the glaze flavor.
