I’m excited to share with you my recipe for banana bread cinnamon rolls, a delicious twist on traditional cinnamon rolls infused with the warmth of homemade banana bread. These irresistible treats are perfect for breakfast or brunch.
Making these cinnamon rolls is easier than you think, and I’ll guide you through the process, sharing tips and tricks to ensure your rolls turn out soft, flavorful, and utterly irresistible.
Want more indulgent breakfast ideas? Try our Peanut Butter Cup French Toast Rolls – another morning favorite!
Key Takeaways
- Learn how to make a delicious banana bread cinnamon rolls recipe at home.
- Discover the secret to making soft and flavorful cinnamon rolls.
- Get tips on how to make your homemade cinnamon rolls irresistible.
- Find out how to combine the warmth of banana bread with traditional cinnamon rolls.
- Enjoy a perfect breakfast or brunch treat with these banana bread cinnamon rolls.
The Magic of Banana Bread Cinnamon Rolls
Imagine a breakfast treat that combines the best of banana bread and cinnamon rolls. This innovative dessert brings together the moist, comforting aspects of banana bread with the sweet, swirly goodness of cinnamon rolls, creating an easy cinnamon roll recipe that’s perfect for any occasion.
If you’re looking for a more savory spin on bread-based breakfast, check out our recipe for Savory Bread Pudding – it’s a hearty counterpart to these sweet rolls.
Why This Recipe Will Become Your New Favorite
This recipe is a game-changer for sweet breakfast treats. The combination of flavors and textures is not only delicious but also surprisingly easy to make, fitting perfectly into your busy morning routine.
The Perfect Weekend Breakfast Treat
Banana Bread Cinnamon Rolls make an ideal breakfast pastry for a relaxing weekend morning. They offer a delightful way to start your day, filled with the warmth and comfort of freshly baked goods.
For another baked breakfast option, you might enjoy this delicious Strata Eggs recipe – perfect for feeding a crowd.
Gathering Your Ingredients
For the Dough:
- 2 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 2 ¼ tsp active dry yeast (1 packet)
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ cup whole milk, warm
- ¼ cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1 large egg
- 1 ripe banana, mashed
For the Filling:
- ½ cup brown sugar, packed
- 1 tbsp ground cinnamon
- ¼ cup unsalted butter, softened
For the Cream Cheese Frosting:
- 4 oz cream cheese, softened
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter, softened
- ¾ cup powdered sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1–2 tbsp milk (to adjust consistency)
Directions:
- In a large bowl, mix warm milk, sugar, and yeast. Let it sit for 5–10 minutes until foamy.
- Add mashed banana, melted butter, egg, and salt. Stir to combine.
- Gradually mix in flour. Knead for 6–8 minutes until the dough is smooth and elastic.
- Cover and let rise in a warm spot for 1 hour or until doubled in size.
- Roll dough into a rectangle (about ¼ inch thick). Spread softened butter, sprinkle cinnamon and brown sugar.
- Roll tightly from the long side. Slice into 9–12 rolls.
- Place rolls in a greased baking dish, cover, and let rise for another 30 minutes.
- Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 25–30 minutes or until golden brown.
- Whip all frosting ingredients until smooth and spread over warm rolls.
Nutritional Info:
⏰ Prep Time: 20 mins | 🔥 Cooking Time: 30 mins | ⏳ Total Time: 2 hours
⚡ 320 calories per roll | 🍽️ Makes 12 rolls
Tools and Equipment You’ll Need
Having the right tools and equipment is crucial for a smooth baking experience. When it comes to making delicious banana bread cinnamon rolls, the right tools can make a significant difference in the outcome.
Essential Baking Tools
To start, you’ll need some essential baking tools. These include a large mixing bowl, measuring cups, a wooden spoon or stand mixer, and a baking sheet.
A mixing bowl is necessary for combining wet and dry ingredients, while measuring cups ensure accuracy in your measurements.
Helpful But Optional Equipment
In addition to the essentials, there are some helpful but optional equipment that can enhance your baking experience.
A dough scraper can be useful for handling the dough, a pastry brush is handy for applying egg wash, and a kitchen scale can provide precise measurements.
Preparing the Dough
To make easy cinnamon rolls, start by preparing the dough with care. This foundational step is crucial for achieving the perfect texture and flavor in your Banana Bread Cinnamon Rolls.
Mixing the Wet Ingredients
In a large bowl, combine the milk, eggs, and melted butter. Whisk these wet ingredients together until they are well incorporated. This mixture provides moisture and richness to the dough, ensuring your cinnamon rolls are soft and delicious.
Incorporating the Dry Ingredients
Next, add the flour, sugar, yeast, and salt to the wet ingredients. Mix until a shaggy dough forms. This step is essential in combining the dry ingredients that give structure and flavor to your rolls.
| Dry Ingredient | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Flour | Provides structure |
| Sugar | Adds sweetness |
| Yeast | Facilitates rise |
| Salt | Enhances flavor |
Kneading and First Rise
Knead the dough on a floured surface until it becomes smooth and elastic. This process develops the gluten, giving your cinnamon rolls a light and airy texture. After kneading, let the dough rise in a warm place until it has doubled in size, which should take about an hour. This step is crucial for achieving the right consistency.
Creating the Perfect Banana Filling
Creating the perfect banana filling is essential for infusing the cinnamon rolls with the sweet, comforting taste of banana bread. This filling is what sets these cinnamon rolls apart, making them a unique sweet treat perfect for brunch.
The process begins with selecting the right bananas. For the best flavor, use bananas that are ripe, as they will be sweeter and softer, making them easier to mash.
Mashing and Preparing the Bananas
To prepare the bananas, start by mashing them with a fork until they’re smooth. You can also use a potato masher for a more uniform consistency. The goal is to break down the bananas into a smooth, creamy paste.
Mixing the Cinnamon Sugar Blend
Next, mix the mashed bananas with sugar and cinnamon. The cinnamon adds a warm, spicy flavor that complements the sweetness of the bananas, creating a delicious banana bread filling. The ratio of sugar to cinnamon can be adjusted to taste, but a good starting point is to use a generous amount of cinnamon to balance the sweetness.
Spreading Techniques for Even Distribution
Once your banana filling is ready, it’s time to spread it evenly over the dough. To ensure every roll gets a generous amount of banana goodness, use a spatula or the back of a spoon to spread the filling evenly, leaving a small border around the edges without filling. This technique helps in achieving a uniform distribution of the banana filling in each cinnamon roll.
| Ingredient | Quantity | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Ripe Bananas | 3-4 | Main flavor component |
| Sugar | 2 tbsp | Adds sweetness |
| Cinnamon | 1 tsp | Adds warmth and spice |
As you spread the banana filling, you’ll notice how it brings the dough to life, preparing it for the next steps in creating your banana bread cinnamon rolls.
Rolling, Cutting, and Second Rise
After the dough has risen, the fun part begins – rolling, cutting, and letting the rolls rise again. This step is crucial in creating delicious cinnamon roll variations that will elevate your breakfast.
Rolling the Dough Into a Rectangle
To start, roll out the dough into a rectangle on a lightly floured surface. Ensure it’s evenly thick to avoid any uneven baking. I find that using a rolling pin helps achieve the perfect thickness.
The rectangle should be large enough to spread the banana filling evenly, leaving a small border around the edges. This border helps prevent the filling from oozing out during the rolling process.
Cutting Perfect Rolls
Once the dough is rolled out and the filling is spread, it’s time to cut the rolls. You can use a sharp knife or dental floss for this step. Both methods can produce clean cuts, but dental floss can give you a more uniform size.
Cut the rolls into equal pieces, about 1-1.5 inches thick. This size ensures they’re not too big or too small for the perfect breakfast treat.
Arranging and Second Rise
Arrange the rolls in a baking dish, leaving some space between them for expansion during the second rise. This step is crucial as it allows the rolls to develop their signature texture and flavor.
Cover the rolls with a clean cloth and let them rise in a warm, draft-free place. This second rise is essential for achieving the perfect softness and delicious taste.
By following these steps, you’ll be on your way to creating a breakfast that’s not only delicious but also visually appealing. The second rise will make the rolls even more tender and flavorful, making them a perfect treat for any morning.
Baking and Frosting Your Rolls
The baking process is where the magic happens, transforming the dough into golden brown, fluffy cinnamon rolls. To achieve this, it’s crucial to get the oven temperature and timing just right.
Oven Temperature and Timing
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Place the rolls in the oven and bake for 18-20 minutes, or until they’re golden brown. Precision is key to ensure the rolls are baked to perfection. An easy recipe like this one relies on simple, accurate instructions.
How to Tell When They’re Perfectly Baked
To check if the rolls are done, look for a golden brown color on top and a soft, fluffy interior. You can also check by gently pressing on the top of a roll; if it springs back, it’s ready. This visual check is a reliable way to ensure your cinnamon rolls are perfectly baked.
Applying the Cream Cheese Frosting
Once the rolls are baked, let them cool slightly before applying the cream cheese frosting. The tangy frosting adds a delightful contrast to the sweet rolls, elevating them to a new level of deliciousness. For an easy and delicious cinnamon roll icing, simply beat together softened cream cheese, butter, vanilla extract, and powdered sugar until smooth.
| Baking Stage | Timing | Visual Check |
|---|---|---|
| Preheating | Until 375°F | Oven thermometer |
| Baking | 18-20 minutes | Golden brown color |
| Frosting | After cooling slightly | Smooth, creamy texture |
Conclusion
Making banana bread cinnamon rolls from scratch is a rewarding experience that yields a deliciously sweet breakfast treat. By following the steps outlined in this article, you can create these irresistible rolls at home, filling your kitchen with the warmth and aroma of freshly baked goods.
Love banana-based treats but want something cooler for summer? Try our Homemade Freezer Pops for a refreshing follow-up.
The combination of banana bread and cinnamon rolls is a match made in heaven, offering a unique twist on traditional breakfast pastries. As you take your first bite, the soft, fluffy dough and the sweetness of the banana bread filling will leave you wanting more.
I encourage you to try this recipe and enjoy the delight of homemade banana bread cinnamon rolls. Share them with family and friends, or savor them on your own – either way, they’re sure to become a new favorite sweet breakfast treat.
FAQ
Can I use unripe bananas for the banana bread filling?
No, it’s best to use ripe bananas for the filling as they are sweeter and softer, making them easier to mash and mix with other ingredients.
Can I make the dough ahead of time and refrigerate it overnight?
Yes, you can prepare the dough ahead of time and refrigerate it overnight. Just make sure to let it come to room temperature before proceeding with the recipe.
How do I store leftover Banana Bread Cinnamon Rolls?
Store leftover rolls in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or freeze them for up to 2 months. To freeze, wrap the rolls tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil.
Can I use a stand mixer to knead the dough?
Yes, you can use a stand mixer with a dough hook attachment to knead the dough, making the process easier and less time-consuming.
What type of flour is best for making cinnamon rolls?
All-purpose flour is the best type of flour for making cinnamon rolls, as it provides the right balance of strength and tenderness.
Can I adjust the amount of cinnamon in the recipe?
Yes, you can adjust the amount of cinnamon to your taste. If you prefer a stronger cinnamon flavor, you can add more cinnamon to the recipe.
How do I achieve the perfect cinnamon roll swirl?
To achieve the perfect swirl, make sure to roll the dough tightly and evenly, and don’t overmix the dough or the filling.
Can I make these Banana Bread Cinnamon Rolls without the cream cheese frosting?
Yes, you can omit the cream cheese frosting if you prefer. The rolls will still be delicious, but the frosting adds a tangy and sweet contrast to the rolls.
