The aroma of freshly baked Banana Bread Cinnamon Rolls with Cream Cheese Frosting fills the kitchen, wrapping you in a cozy embrace that whispers sweet nothings. Picture fluffy rolls swirled with a rich ribbon of cinnamon and topped with a dreamy layer of cream cheese frosting. That’s right; it’s like a warm hug from your favorite grandma—if your grandma were a pastry chef.
These delightful treats are perfect for lazy Sunday mornings or surprise visits from friends. Trust me when I say there’s nothing quite like pulling warm rolls from the oven and watching everyone swoon as they take their first bite. You might even want to make a double batch because they’ll disappear faster than you can say “more please.”
Why You'll Love This Recipe
- These Banana Bread Cinnamon Rolls are incredibly easy to prepare and will fill your home with heavenly scents
- The flavor profile is a delightful blend of sweet bananas and spicy cinnamon
- Their golden-brown appearance makes them visually stunning on any brunch table
- Versatile enough to serve as breakfast or dessert, these rolls are guaranteed to be crowd-pleasers
I remember the first time I attempted this recipe; my family couldn’t believe their taste buds when they took a bite!
Essential Ingredients
Here’s what you’ll need to make this delicious dish:
- Ripe Bananas: The riper, the better! Look for bananas that are speckled brown for maximum sweetness.
- All-Purpose Flour: Basic flour works best here; it helps achieve that fluffy roll texture we all love.
- Yeast: Active dry yeast is perfect for making these rolls rise and become light and airy.
- Cinnamon: Ground cinnamon adds that warm spice flavor that pairs beautifully with bananas.
- Brown Sugar: For sweetness and moisture; use light brown sugar for a subtle caramel flavor.
- Cream Cheese: Softened cream cheese forms the base of our luscious frosting; don’t skip it!
- Powdered Sugar: This adds sweetness without graininess, resulting in silky smooth icing.
- Butter: Unsalted butter enhances richness in both dough and frosting.
- Milk: Warm milk helps activate the yeast while keeping the dough tender and moist.
- Eggs: Eggs add richness and help bind everything together for that luscious texture.
The full ingredients list, including measurements, is provided in the recipe card directly below.
Let’s Make it together
Prepare the Dough: In a large bowl, mash ripe bananas until smooth. Add warm milk and melted butter; mix well before stirring in eggs until fully combined.
Add Dry Ingredients: Gradually mix in flour, sugar, yeast, salt, and half of the ground cinnamon until you form a soft dough. You want it slightly sticky but manageable.
Knead Away: Turn the dough onto a floured surface and knead for about 8-10 minutes until it becomes smooth and elastic. Trust me; this step will pay off!
Let it Rise: Place the kneaded dough into a greased bowl covered with plastic wrap. Let it rise in a warm place for about an hour or until doubled in size—this is where the magic happens!
Create the Filling: While waiting on that glorious dough rise, combine remaining cinnamon with brown sugar in a small bowl. This mixture will create swirls of delight!
Roll It Out: Once risen, punch down your dough (take out any frustrations), then roll it out into a rectangle about ¼ inch thick on a floured surface.
Add Filling & Roll Up: Spread softened butter over rolled-out dough evenly before sprinkling your delicious filling all over it. Roll tightly into a log shape.
Slicing Time: Cut the log into 1-inch thick slices using unflavored dental floss (yes really!) or a sharp knife to keep each roll intact.
Bake Those Rolls: Place the slices in greased baking pan; cover again and let rise for another 30 minutes before preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake for 25-30 minutes until golden brown.
Create Your Frosting: Beat together softened cream cheese and powdered sugar until smooth while waiting for those rolls to cool down slightly—your kitchen will smell divine!
Icing On The Cake (or Rolls): Generously spread your cream cheese frosting over warm rolls so it melts just right into every nook and cranny.
Now take a moment—admire your creation before digging into these scrumptious Banana Bread Cinnamon Rolls with Cream Cheese Frosting!
You Must Know
- These Banana Bread Cinnamon Rolls with Cream Cheese Frosting are a delightful twist on classic recipes, combining rich flavors and soft textures
- They’re perfect for brunch or a cozy evening treat, making every bite worth its weight in cinnamon sugar
Perfecting the Cooking Process
Start by preparing your dough, letting it rise while you mix the filling. Roll out the dough, spread the filling evenly, and slice into rolls before baking for a golden finish.
Add Your Touch
Feel free to experiment with add-ins like chocolate chips or nuts, or swap out the cream cheese frosting for a simple glaze to match your taste preferences.
Storing & Reheating
Store leftover cinnamon rolls in an airtight container in the fridge for up to four days. Reheat in the microwave for about 15 seconds to restore their gooey goodness.
Chef's Helpful Tips
- To achieve perfectly fluffy rolls, make sure your yeast is fresh and active; this makes all the difference
- Knead until smooth for that ideal texture
- Remember not to overfill your rolls to prevent spilling during baking
There was one Sunday morning when I made these Banana Bread Cinnamon Rolls for brunch. Friends could not stop raving about them, which made my heart swell with pride—nothing beats a crowd-pleaser!
FAQ
How do I know if my dough has risen enough?
Look for it to double in size and feel airy when poked gently.
Can I freeze these cinnamon rolls?
Absolutely! Freeze them before baking and thaw overnight when ready to enjoy.
What can I use instead of cream cheese frosting?
A simple vanilla glaze made from powdered sugar and milk works wonderfully!
Banana Bread Cinnamon Rolls with Cream Cheese Frosting
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: Approximately 12 servings
Description
Banana Bread Cinnamon Rolls with Cream Cheese Frosting are a delectable fusion of sweet bananas and warm spices, enveloped in soft, fluffy rolls drizzled with creamy frosting—ideal for breakfast or dessert.
Ingredients
- Ripe Bananas
- All-Purpose Flour
- Active Dry Yeast
- Ground Cinnamon
- Brown Sugar
- Cream Cheese
- Powdered Sugar
- Unsalted Butter
- Milk
- Eggs
Instructions
- Prepare the Dough: Mash ripe bananas in a bowl. Combine with warm milk and melted butter; mix in eggs until well-blended.
- Add Dry Ingredients: Gradually stir in flour, sugar, yeast, salt, and half of the cinnamon until a slightly sticky dough forms.
- Knead the Dough: On a floured surface, knead for 8-10 minutes until smooth and elastic.
- Let It Rise: Place dough in a greased bowl, cover with plastic wrap, and let rise in a warm place for about 1 hour or until doubled.
- Create the Filling: Mix remaining cinnamon with brown sugar in a bowl.
- Roll It Out: Punch down risen dough and roll into a rectangle about ¼ inch thick on a floured surface.
- Add Filling & Roll Up: Spread softened butter over dough; sprinkle filling evenly. Roll tightly into a log shape.
- Slice & Bake: Cut log into 1-inch slices and place in greased baking pan. Let rise for another 30 minutes, then bake at 350°F (175°C) for 25-30 minutes until golden brown.
- Make Frosting: Beat softened cream cheese with powdered sugar until smooth; spread over warm rolls.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 12g
- Sodium: 180mg
- Fat: 9g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 38g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 40mg
