Get ready to meet your new brunch obsession: Banana Bread Cinnamon Rolls! Imagine the rich, comforting flavors of homemade banana bread intertwined with the sweet, gooey swirl of classic cinnamon rolls. Each pillowy bite is loaded with ripe bananas, cinnamon, brown sugar, and a luscious cream cheese frosting that melts right into those warm rolls. Whether you’re baking for a weekend treat or starting a special morning the right way, Banana Bread Cinnamon Rolls take everything you love about two comfort food classics and combine them into one unforgettable, share-worthy delight.

Banana Bread Cinnamon Rolls Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

The iconic fusion of flavors in Banana Bread Cinnamon Rolls comes from a handful of classic ingredients, each one playing a starring role in the final creation. Gather these kitchen staples and you’ll be well on your way to the softest, most decadent rolls ever.

Milk (1 cup, lukewarm): Ensures your dough turns out soft and fluffy—just be sure it’s warm but not hot for best yeast activation.
Unsalted Butter (6 tablespoons for dough, 4 for filling, 4 for icing): Adds richness to both dough and filling—softened or melted as needed for each step.
Granulated Sugar (½ cup): Gives the dough subtle sweetness for that classic cinnamon roll base.
All-Purpose Flour (4½–5 cups): Forms the structure of the rolls; start with less and add more as needed for a soft yet manageable dough.
Instant Yeast (2¼ teaspoons): Makes the rolls rise beautifully, speeding up the prep time compared to active dry yeast.
Salt (1½ teaspoons): Enhances all the flavors—don’t skip it!
Mashed Banana (½ cup, about 1 large banana): Delivers the signature banana bread flavor and keeps the dough extra moist.
Light Brown Sugar (½ cup, packed): Gives the filling its caramel-like sweetness and sticky texture that everyone craves.
Cinnamon (1 tablespoon): The heart of any cinnamon roll—no substitutions here!
Bananas (2, thinly sliced): Layered inside for pockets of pure banana joy in every swirl.
Heavy Cream (¼ cup, slightly warmed): Poured over before baking for the gooey, ultra-moist texture you dream about.
Cream Cheese (4 ounces, softened): The base of our tangy, creamy frosting—let it reach room temperature for best results.
Powdered Sugar (1½ cups): Blends seamlessly into the icing for a luxuriously smooth finish.
Vanilla Extract (1 teaspoon): Rounds out the icing with a warm, aromatic note.

How to Make Banana Bread Cinnamon Rolls

Step 1: Warm the Milk Mixture

Begin by combining the milk, butter, and sugar in a medium saucepan. Gently heat them together until the butter fully melts and the mixture reaches about 120–130°F (perfect for instant yeast). This step ensures your dough starts off with the coziest, richest base imaginable!

Step 2: Mix Dry Ingredients and Form Dough

In the bowl of your stand mixer, stir together 4½ cups of flour, instant yeast, and salt to distribute everything evenly. Add in your warm milk mixture and mashed banana, mixing until a shaggy, sticky dough starts to form—think early banana bread vibes but ready for a swirl.

Step 3: Knead Your Dough

Swap to the dough hook on your mixer and knead for about 6–8 minutes, adding a bit more flour if it’s super sticky. Hand-kneading works beautifully too—just be patient as the dough needs to transform from sticky to supple! You’re aiming for soft and springy, but not tough.

Step 4: Let the Dough Rise

Transfer your dough to a greased bowl and cover. Let it rise (in a cozy spot) for an hour to an hour and a half, until doubled in size. This patience pays off: it’s what gives Banana Bread Cinnamon Rolls their epic cloud-like texture.

Step 5: Roll and Fill the Dough

Once risen, turn the dough out onto a floured surface. Roll it into a generous rectangle, about 18×12 inches. Spread the top with softened butter, sprinkle with brown sugar and cinnamon, and then cover with banana slices—layered flavor in every bite!

Step 6: Roll Up and Cut

Start from the long edge with the filling, tightly roll your dough into a log. Pinch to seal, then slice into 12 equal rolls. For picture-perfect spirals, try cutting with thread or unflavored floss: slide it under, cross, and pull. So satisfying and so effective!

Step 7: Second Rise in the Pan

Nestle your rolls spiral-side up into a buttered 9×13 inch pan and cover. Let them rise again until puffed and nearly doubled—usually about 45 minutes. This is the moment when your kitchen starts to smell positively dreamy!

Step 8: Bake to Golden Perfection

Just before baking, pour slightly warmed heavy cream over the rolls: it makes them unbelievably tender and gooey. Bake at 350°F for around 30–35 minutes until golden, then rest for 20 minutes before icing. (If you can wait that long—the aroma is irresistible!)

Step 9: Make Cream Cheese Icing

Beat softened cream cheese and butter until creamy and light, then incorporate powdered sugar in small additions. Finish with vanilla extract and whip until the icing is impossibly fluffy and smooth.

Step 10: Frost and Serve

Spread the cream cheese icing generously over the warm Banana Bread Cinnamon Rolls. It will melt into every nook and cranny, creating that gooey, irresistible finish that sets these rolls apart.

How to Serve Banana Bread Cinnamon Rolls

Garnishes

Go classic with a final dusting of cinnamon or a few extra banana slices nestled on top. For special occasions, sprinkle with chopped toasted pecans or walnuts for crunch, or add a drizzle of caramel for pure decadence!

Side Dishes

Bring out a fruit salad, some crispy breakfast bacon, or a bowl of creamy Greek yogurt alongside your Banana Bread Cinnamon Rolls for a well-rounded brunch. A cozy latte, chai, or fresh-pressed juice will make the meal feel even more special.

Creative Ways to Present

Transform your rolls into a celebratory centerpiece by arranging them in a wreath on your favorite platter with fresh flowers tucked in. Or simply serve them family-style right from the baking dish—let that inviting aroma and melty icing do all the talking!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

If you miraculously have any Banana Bread Cinnamon Rolls left, cover them tightly and store at room temperature for up to two days. For longer freshness, keep them in the refrigerator for up to five days—just be sure they’re well-wrapped to prevent drying out.

Freezing

You can easily freeze the unbaked, cut rolls on a tray, then transfer to a freezer bag. When ready to bake, let them thaw and rise in the fridge overnight before proceeding. You can also freeze baked, unfrosted rolls for grab-and-go treats any time you crave them.

Reheating

Warm leftover rolls gently in the microwave for 15–20 seconds or cover with foil and heat in a 300°F oven until soft. If they’re already frosted, keep the heating brief so the icing stays luscious instead of melting away!

FAQs

Can I use overripe bananas for this recipe?

Absolutely! The riper and sweeter your bananas, the more pronounced that banana bread flavor will be in your cinnamon rolls. Just be sure to mash them well for an extra-smooth dough and gooey filling.

What if I don’t have a stand mixer?

No worries—you can mix and knead the dough by hand! It just takes a few extra minutes and a little muscle, but the payoff is absolutely worth it for Banana Bread Cinnamon Rolls.

Can I make the rolls the night before and bake them in the morning?

Yes! After placing the cut rolls in your baking dish, cover tightly and refrigerate overnight. In the morning, let them finish their rise at room temperature before baking as usual. Perfect for effortless entertaining or early morning energy.

Do I need to use heavy cream before baking?

The heavy cream isn’t strictly necessary, but it makes the rolls tender and delightfully gooey. If you skip this step, your Banana Bread Cinnamon Rolls will still be wonderful but slightly less rich and soft.

Can I add nuts or chocolate chips?

Definitely! Chopped walnuts, pecans, or mini chocolate chips blend in seamlessly with the banana and cinnamon filling. Sprinkle them over the banana slices before rolling up for fun twists on the classic recipe.

Final Thoughts

Banana Bread Cinnamon Rolls truly bring the best of both beloved treats into one crave-worthy pan. If you’re ready to delight your family, spoil your friends, or just treat yourself to a little extra happiness, bake up a batch soon—you deserve every soft, cinnamon-swirled, banana-kissed bite!

Banana Bread Cinnamon Rolls Recipe

★★★★★

5.1 from 6 reviews

Author: lilan
Total Time: 2 hours
Yield: 12 rolls 1x
Diet: Vegetarian

Print Recipe

Description

Delicious and indulgent banana bread cinnamon rolls that are perfect for breakfast or a sweet treat. These rolls are filled with a banana-infused cinnamon sugar mixture and topped with a creamy cream cheese icing.

Instructions

Make the cinnamon rolls – Warm milk, butter, and sugar in a saucepan. Make dough by combining flour, yeast, salt, and mashed bananas. Knead the dough until smooth. Let rise.
Roll out the dough – Roll out dough into a rectangle.
Spread filling – Spread softened butter, brown sugar, cinnamon, and banana slices on the dough. Roll up and cut into rolls.
Let rolls rise – Place rolls in a baking dish and let rise until doubled.
Bake rolls – Pour cream over rolls and bake until golden. Let cool.
Make the cream cheese icing – Beat cream cheese and butter, add powdered sugar and vanilla. Ice rolls.

Notes

If using active dry yeast, adjust the temperature accordingly.
Do not overknead the dough for a lighter texture.
For cleaner cuts, use unflavored dental floss to slice the rolls.

Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cook Time: 30-35 minutes
Category: Breakfast, Dessert
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 roll
Calories: 380
Sugar: 24g
Sodium: 290mg
Fat: 14g
Saturated Fat: 8g
Unsaturated Fat: 5g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 58g
Fiber: 2g
Protein: 4g
Cholesterol: 40mg

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