Description

These Banana Cinnamon Rolls are a delightful twist on classic cinnamon rolls, featuring ripe bananas in both the dough and filling. The natural sweetness of bananas pairs beautifully with warm cinnamon and nutmeg, while the tangy cream cheese icing adds the perfect finishing touch. Perfect for breakfast, brunch, or dessert, these soft, gooey rolls are sure to become a family favorite.

Ingredients

Scale

For the Dough:

3½ cups all-purpose flour (or gluten-free flour blend)
¼ cup granulated sugar
1 tsp salt
2¼ tsp instant yeast (1 packet)
½ cup whole milk, warmed (substitute almond milk for dairy-free)
¼ cup unsalted butter, melted (or coconut oil for dairy-free)
2 large eggs, room temperature
2 very ripe bananas, mashed (about 1 cup)
1 tsp vanilla extract

For the Filling:

¾ cup brown sugar, packed
2 tbsp ground cinnamon
¼ tsp nutmeg (optional)
¼ cup unsalted butter, softened
1 ripe banana, mashed

For the Cream Cheese Icing:

4 oz cream cheese, softened (dairy-free works too)
2 tbsp unsalted butter, softened
1½ cups powdered sugar
1 tsp vanilla extract
2–3 tbsp milk
Pinch of salt

Instructions

Prepare the Dough: Combine flour, sugar, salt, and yeast in a bowl. In another bowl, whisk together warm milk, melted butter, eggs, mashed bananas, and vanilla. Gradually mix wet ingredients into dry until a soft dough forms.
Knead and First Rise: Knead dough on a floured surface for 5-7 minutes until smooth. Place in a greased bowl, cover, and let rise for 1 hour or until doubled in size.
Prepare the Filling: Mix brown sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg. In a separate bowl, combine softened butter with mashed banana until smooth.
Roll and Fill: Roll risen dough into an 18×12-inch rectangle. Spread banana-butter mixture, then sprinkle cinnamon-sugar mixture evenly over it.
Shape the Rolls: Roll dough tightly from the long edge and cut into 12 equal pieces. Place rolls in a greased 9×13 inch pan.
Second Rise: Cover and let rise for 30-45 minutes until puffy.
Bake: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake rolls for 22-25 minutes until golden brown.
Prepare the Cream Cheese Icing: Beat cream cheese and butter until fluffy. Add powdered sugar, vanilla, salt, and milk gradually until desired consistency is reached.
Ice and Serve: Let rolls cool for 5-10 minutes, then spread icing over them. Serve warm!

Notes

Tips & Tricks for Perfect Banana Cinnamon Rolls:

Ripe Bananas: Use very ripe bananas for maximum sweetness and flavor.
Even Rolls: Mark the dough log before cutting to ensure evenly sized rolls.
Soft Dough: The dough will be stickier than usual due to bananas—this is normal and results in ultra-soft rolls.
Icing Consistency: Adjust milk in the icing gradually to achieve a thick but pourable texture.
Storage: Store leftover rolls in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days or refrigerate for longer storage.

Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Category: Breakfast
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 roll (1/12th of recipe)
Calories: 350
Sugar: 25g
Sodium: 200mg
Fat: 12g
Saturated Fat: 6g
Unsaturated Fat: 4g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 50g
Fiber: 2g
Protein: 5g
Cholesterol: 40mg

Keywords: banana cinnamon rolls, cinnamon rolls, cream cheese icing, sweet breakfast