Banana Bread Cinnamon Rolls Recipe Everyone's Loving

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Do you ever glance at those browning bananas on your worktop, torn between the wholesome comfort of banana bread and the decadent, gooey delight of a cinnamon roll? We say, why compromise when you can have it all? Prepare to meet the breakfast mash-up of your dreams: banana bread cinnamon rolls. This delightful recipe marries the moist, fragrant character of banana bread with the soft, spiralled elegance of a classic cinnamon bun, all finished with a luscious, tangy cream cheese frosting. It’s a truly heavenly combination, and we’re here to walk you through each simple stage of creating this memorable treat in your very own kitchen.

Why We’re Certain You’ll Love This Recipe

Before we get to the fun of mixing and baking, let’s explore exactly why this recipe is about to become a cherished favourite in your household. We know you’re after something truly special, and these rolls tick every single box.

The Ideal Way to Use Ripe Bananas: We’ve all been there—spotty, overripe bananas looking a bit sorry for themselves. This is, without a doubt, the most glorious way to elevate them from a forgotten fruit into the star attraction.
Two Classics Become One: This is the ultimate comfort food fusion. You enjoy the familiar, cosy flavour of banana bread, but in the irresistible format of a sweet, swirly roll.
Unbelievably Soft and Tender: The addition of mashed banana to the dough does more than just add flavour; it creates a uniquely moist and delicate crumb, giving you the most wonderfully fluffy cinnamon rolls imaginable.
A Truly Unforgettable Aroma: As these rolls bake, the combined scent of banana, warm cinnamon, and fresh yeast will envelop your home in a comforting, mouth-watering fragrance that is simply divine.

The Essential Ingredients for Perfect Banana Bread Cinnamon Rolls

Wonderful baking always begins with quality ingredients. For this recipe, we’ve organised the components into three sections: the banana-infused dough, the sweet cinnamon filling, and of course, the indulgent cream cheese frosting. Getting everything weighed out and prepared in advance will ensure the entire process is a pleasure from start to finish.

For the Banana Dough

240ml whole milk, warmed
2 ¼ teaspoons (1 sachet) active dry yeast
75g granulated sugar
1 large egg, at room temperature
75g unsalted butter, melted
2 large, very ripe bananas, mashed (about 240g)
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
520g plain flour, plus more for dusting
1 teaspoon salt

For the Cinnamon-Sugar Filling

115g unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
165g light brown sugar, packed
2 tablespoons ground cinnamon

For the Cream Cheese Frosting

115g full-fat cream cheese, softened
60g unsalted butter, softened
180g icing sugar, sifted
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1-2 tablespoons milk (to reach desired consistency)

Step-by-Step Guide: How to Make Banana Bread Cinnamon Rolls

Are you ready to begin? We’ve broken down the entire process into clear, straightforward steps. Simply follow along, and you’ll soon be pulling a tray of gorgeous, gooey rolls from your oven. This is so much more than an easy banana bread recipe; it’s a baking adventure!

Activate the Yeast: In a large mixing bowl or the bowl of your stand mixer, warm the milk to a gentle 40-43°C (105-110°F). It should feel pleasantly warm, like bathwater. Sprinkle the yeast and one tablespoon of the sugar over the milk. Stir it lightly, then leave it to stand for 5-10 minutes until it becomes frothy. This is how you know your yeast is alive and ready to work its magic.
Prepare the Banana Dough: Into the yeast mixture, add the rest of the sugar, the egg, melted butter, mashed bananas, and vanilla extract. Whisk these ingredients together until they are fully combined. Attach the dough hook to your stand mixer, add the flour and salt, and mix on a low speed until a rough, shaggy dough comes together.
Knead the Dough: Turn the mixer speed up to medium and knead the cinnamon roll dough for 5-7 minutes. It’s ready when it becomes smooth and elastic, and starts to pull away cleanly from the sides of the bowl. If you’re kneading by hand, tip the dough onto a lightly floured surface and work it for around 10 minutes.
The First Rise: Shape the dough into a smooth ball and place it into a lightly oiled bowl, turning it over to coat the surface. Cover the bowl with a clean tea towel or cling film and set it in a warm, draught-free place to rise for 1-1.5 hours, or until it has doubled in volume.
Mix the Filling: While the dough is rising, you can prepare the filling. In a small bowl, thoroughly combine the softened butter, light brown sugar, and ground cinnamon until you have a smooth, easily spreadable paste.
Roll and Fill: Once the dough has risen, gently knock the air out of it and place it on a lightly floured work surface. Roll it out into a large rectangle, about 12×18 inches (30×45 cm) in size. Evenly spread the cinnamon-sugar filling all over the dough, but leave a small ½-inch border clear along one of the long sides.
Cut and Arrange the Rolls: Beginning at the long edge that’s covered in filling, roll the dough up into a tight log. For the neatest cuts, we suggest using unflavoured dental floss or a very sharp serrated knife to slice the log into 12 equal portions. Place the rolls, cut-side up, into a greased 9×13-inch baking dish.
The Second Rise: Cover the baking dish and allow the rolls to rise again in a warm spot for another 30-45 minutes. They should look puffy and be nestled cosily against each other. As they rise, preheat your oven to 180°C (160°C Fan / Gas Mark 4).
Bake to Perfection: Place the dish in the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes, until the rolls are a beautiful golden brown and cooked all the way through. The roll in the centre should feel firm when gently pressed.
Whip Up the Cream Cheese Frosting: As the rolls are baking, it’s time to make the frosting. In a medium-sized bowl, use an electric mixer to beat the softened cream cheese and butter together until the mixture is completely smooth and creamy. Bit by bit, add the sifted icing sugar and beat until it’s incorporated. Finally, mix in the vanilla extract and 1-2 tablespoons of milk to achieve your ideal consistency for the cream cheese frosting.
Frost and Serve: Let the rolls cool down in the dish for about 10 minutes before generously spreading the frosting over them. The residual warmth will help the frosting melt just a little, seeping into all the delicious nooks and crannies. Serve them warm and enjoy every single bite!

Our Top Tips for Fluffy Cinnamon Rolls Every Time

We want you to achieve baking perfection with your banana bread cinnamon rolls. Here are a few of our tried-and-tested tips to ensure your success:

Use Very Ripe Bananas: The blacker and spottier, the better! Overripe bananas are not only sweeter but also have a much more pronounced banana flavour, which truly enhances the final bake.
Check Your Milk Temperature: If your milk is too hot, it can unfortunately kill the yeast, meaning your dough won’t rise. If you have a kitchen thermometer, use it. If not, aim for a temperature that feels comfortably warm on your wrist.
Room Temperature is Key: Using an egg at room temperature and softened butter for both the dough and the frosting allows the ingredients to blend together more seamlessly, leading to a much smoother and more even texture.
Don’t Over-Bake: Pay close attention to your rolls as they approach the end of their baking time. They’re ready when they are a light, golden brown. Baking them for too long can result in dry, disappointing rolls.
For the Perfect Cut: Our secret weapon for slicing perfect, clean spirals without compressing the log is unflavoured dental floss. Just slide a length of floss underneath the log, bring the ends up and cross them over the top, then pull firmly to slice right through.

Variations and Customisations

One of the most wonderful aspects of this recipe is its versatility. Don’t be afraid to get creative in the kitchen! In the same way we enjoy adding new textures to our Almond Joy Cookie Recipe, you can easily tailor these rolls to suit your tastes.

Add Nuts: For a lovely bit of crunch, try mixing ½ cup of chopped walnuts or pecans into your cinnamon-sugar filling.
Chocolate Lovers: Scatter a generous handful of mini chocolate chips over the filling before you roll up the dough. The pairing of banana and chocolate is a timeless classic!
Brown Butter Frosting: To achieve a deeper, nuttier flavour profile, gently brown the butter in a pan on the stovetop before incorporating it into your cream cheese frosting.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) about Banana Bread Cinnamon Rolls

Can I make these ahead of time?

Of course! You can prepare the rolls right up to the second rise. Instead of letting them prove at room temperature, cover the dish tightly with cling film and pop it in the fridge overnight (for up to 18 hours). The next morning, simply take them out, let them rest at room temperature for 45 minutes to an hour whilst your oven preheats, and then bake according to the instructions.

How should I store leftover rolls?

You can store any leftover rolls in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days. If you need to keep them for longer, they will last for up to five days in the refrigerator. We suggest gently warming them in the microwave for a few seconds before serving to bring back their soft, gooey texture.

Can I freeze banana bread cinnamon rolls?

Yes, they freeze exceptionally well. You have the option to freeze them either baked or unbaked.

To freeze unbaked rolls: Prepare them up to the point where they are arranged in the baking dish. Cover the dish tightly with a double layer of cling film and freeze for up to 2 months. To bake, simply thaw them overnight in the fridge, then let them complete their second rise at room temperature before baking.
To freeze baked rolls: Allow them to cool completely, then freeze them (either frosted or unfrosted) in an airtight container. Thaw at room temperature and reheat as you wish.

My dough didn’t rise. What went wrong?

This is a very common baking worry. The most frequent cause is the yeast itself; it may have been out of date or been killed off by liquid that was too hot. Another reason could be that your kitchen was simply too cold. Yeast needs a warm, cosy environment to thrive. For a more detailed guide to troubleshooting, we highly recommend this excellent resource on understanding yeast from King Arthur Baking.

Your New Favourite Breakfast Treat Awaits

And there we have it—a recipe that unites two of our most cherished baked goods into one truly spectacular treat. We are absolutely certain that these banana bread cinnamon rolls will bring a huge amount of joy and deliciousness to your kitchen. This is the sort of bake that makes you a hero at home, but just think of the welcome you’d receive if you brought a batch for a Banana Bread at Work day! The soft, banana-rich dough, the sweet cinnamon swirl, and the tangy cream cheese frosting all work together to create a perfect symphony of flavours that feels like a warm hug in every bite.

So, go on, grab those ripe bananas and get ready to create something wonderful! We would be delighted to see how yours turn out. Please share them with us in the comments section below or tag us on social media! What delicious thing will you bake next?