Irresistible Homemade Banana Cinnamon Rolls with Cream Cheese Frosting

Indulge in the ultimate comfort food with these extraordinary **Banana Cinnamon Rolls**! Imagine waking up to the aroma of freshly baked rolls, featuring incredibly soft, banana-infused dough, a luscious, gooey banana-walnut filling, a generous swirl of velvety vanilla cream cheese frosting, and a delightful crunch from a brown sugar-walnut topping. These aren’t just any cinnamon rolls; they’re a celebration of banana bread flavor in a warm, sweet, and utterly satisfying breakfast or dessert treat.

This recipe transforms ripe bananas into a truly spectacular creation. The dough itself is reminiscent of your favorite banana bread, enriched with fresh bananas, while the filling strikes the perfect balance between sweet banana and warm cinnamon. And let’s not forget the topping: a buttery, brown sugar-candied walnut crumble that adds an irresistible textural contrast. There’s truly nothing quite like a warm, tender banana cinnamon roll to start your day or satisfy a sweet craving. You’ll need about 3-4 ripe bananas for this recipe, making it an ideal way to use up those spotty bananas on your counter. If you only have two bananas, you might consider trying our Banana Sourdough Muffins instead.

Our banana cinnamon rolls offer a fantastic alternative for utilizing ripe bananas when you’re looking for something different from classic Banana Coffee Cake or another loaf of Sourdough Discard Banana Bread. What makes this recipe truly stand out is the double dose of banana – in both the soft, pillowy dough and the rich, flavorful filling. For those who enjoy exploring different flavors, you might also love our Strawberry Cinnamon Rolls.

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🛒 Key Ingredients for Banana Cinnamon Rolls

Creating these heavenly banana cinnamon rolls requires a selection of fresh, high-quality ingredients. Here’s what you’ll need, along with some helpful tips for each:

• Ripe Bananas: The star of the show! This recipe calls for approximately four medium-sized bananas, divided between the dough and the filling. For the best flavor, patiently wait until your bananas develop plenty of brown spots on their peels; this indicates a higher sugar content and richer banana taste.
• Milk: Any milk with a fat content higher than skim milk (e.g., 1% or 2% or whole milk) is recommended. The fat in the milk contributes significantly to the rolls’ moisture, ensuring they remain wonderfully soft and fresh for several days after baking.
• Egg: A single egg acts as a crucial binder, helping to hold the dough together, while also enriching the banana roll dough, leading to a more tender and flavorful result.
• Yeast: Active dry yeast is specified for this recipe, but instant yeast can also be used as a convenient alternative. Ensure your yeast is fresh and active for a proper dough rise.
• Sugar: You’ll need white granulated sugar for activating the yeast and sweetening the dough, and light brown sugar for the irresistible filling. Remember, the ripe bananas themselves are a natural sweetener, so no excessive sugar is needed.
• Flour: All-purpose flour is the easiest to find and works exceptionally well for achieving the desired soft yet structured dough consistency in this recipe.
• Butter: Salted butter is preferred as it enriches the dough, contributing to its softness and flavor. Butter is also indispensable for both the filling and the crunchy walnut topping, adding richness throughout the recipe.
• Walnuts: These add a delightful crunch and nutty flavor, appearing in both the gooey banana filling and as a key component of the candied brown sugar topping.
• Cream Cheese: For the luxurious cream cheese frosting, you can use either full-fat cream cheese or Neufchâtel cream cheese. Ensure it’s softened to room temperature for a smooth, lump-free frosting.

For a complete list of ingredients and precise quantities, please refer to the detailed recipe card provided below.

✏️ Easy Substitutions & Creative Variations

Feel free to customize these banana cinnamon rolls to suit your preferences or dietary needs with these simple adjustments:

• Milk: Dairy milk can be easily substituted with non-dairy alternatives such as nut milk (almond, cashew) or oat milk. Please note: This recipe has not been extensively tested with dairy alternatives, so if you try it, we’d love to hear about your results!
• Butter: If you prefer to control the salt content, unsalted butter can be used instead of salted butter. Simply add a pinch more salt to the dough if you feel it’s needed.
• Walnuts: Not a fan of walnuts, or simply looking for a different nut? Pecans or peanuts make excellent substitutes, offering their own unique flavor and crunch.
• Vanilla Extract: For an intriguing twist, replace vanilla extract with maple extract in the filling to create delicious banana maple cinnamon rolls.
• Peanut Butter Frosting: Elevate your cream cheese icing by blending in 2 tablespoons of creamy peanut butter. This creates a wonderfully rich and nutty peanut butter cream cheese frosting that pairs perfectly with banana.

🧑‍🍳 Step-by-Step Instructions to Bake Banana Cinnamon Rolls

Follow these detailed instructions to create fluffy, flavorful banana cinnamon rolls that will impress everyone:

Step 1. (Above) Begin by proofing your yeast. Gently heat the milk to a temperature between 90-110 degrees F (this usually takes about 30 seconds in a microwave). Stir in the white sugar until dissolved, then sprinkle the active dry yeast over the mixture. Let it sit for 3-5 minutes until it becomes visibly foamy, indicating the yeast is active. In a separate large mixing bowl (or the bowl of a stand mixer), combine the flour, softened butter, egg, salt, and mashed banana. Pour the foamy milk and yeast mixture into these ingredients and mix everything thoroughly.

Step 2. (Above) Continue mixing until a cohesive dough forms. Using a stand mixer with a dough hook attachment, knead the dough on low speed for 4-5 minutes until it develops an elastic texture. If kneading by hand, mix with a wooden spoon until combined, then turn out onto a lightly floured surface and knead for 6-8 minutes. Don’t worry if the dough feels quite sticky – this is normal for a rich, banana-infused dough!

Step 3. (Above) Lightly oil a large bowl. Transfer the sticky dough to this bowl, turning it once to coat all sides with oil. Cover the bowl tightly with plastic wrap or a clean kitchen towel. Allow the dough to rise in a warm spot at room temperature (around 70-75 degrees F) for about 60 minutes, or until it has roughly doubled in size. This first rise is crucial for developing flavor and a light texture.

Step 4. (Above) While the dough is rising, prepare the delicious banana nut roll filling. In a medium bowl, combine the remaining mashed banana, brown sugar, cinnamon, and flour. Mix these ingredients together until they are well combined and form a thick, fragrant paste. Set aside until ready to assemble the rolls.

Step 5. (Above) Once the dough has doubled, gently punch it down. On a lightly floured surface, roll the banana dough out into a large rectangle, aiming for dimensions of approximately 14 inches wide by 24 inches long. Strive for even edges and corners, as this will result in neater, more uniformly sized rolls. Spread the softened butter evenly over the entire surface of the dough rectangle, leaving a small border at one end. Next, spread the prepared banana filling evenly on top of the butter, ensuring it coats the entire sheet of dough right up to the edges.

Step 6. (Above) Starting from one long edge, carefully roll the dough into a tight log, similar to how you would roll a sleeping bag. Roll it width-wise, creating a long, cylindrical roll. Ensure the seam is pinched shut and placed face down.

Step 7. (Above) To cut your rolls, first gently mark the dough log into 12 equal portions, each approximately 2 inches wide. For the cleanest cuts, use a piece of unflavored dental floss or a very sharp, un-serrated knife. If using floss, slide it underneath the log at your marked line, cross the ends over the top, and pull firmly to slice through the dough. This method helps maintain the round shape of the rolls.

Step 8. (Above) Arrange the cut rolls, spiral side up, into an oiled 9×13 inch baking pan or a large baking sheet. Make sure to leave a little space between each roll to allow for their second rise. Cover the pan with a clean dish towel and let the rolls rise for a second time in a warm place for about 60 minutes, or until they have nearly doubled in size. This is an excellent time to prepare your vanilla cream cheese icing and the candied walnut topping (proceed to Steps 9 & 10!).

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Bake the rolls until they are beautifully golden brown on top. This typically takes 25-30 minutes if baked in a 9×13 inch pan, or 22-25 minutes if spread out on a larger baking sheet. Once baked, remove from the oven and allow them to cool for about 15 minutes before applying the frosting.

Step 9. (Above) While the rolls are cooling, prepare the rich vanilla cream cheese frosting. In a medium bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, softened butter, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract. Mix with an electric mixer (or by hand) until the frosting is wonderfully creamy and smooth. If the frosting is too thick, gradually add 2-3 tablespoons of milk until it reaches your desired drizzling consistency. Generously drizzle this velvety frosting over the still-warm banana cinnamon rolls.

Step 10. (Above) To make the irresistible candied walnut topping, warm 1 tablespoon of butter in a frying pan over medium heat. Add the chopped walnuts and toast them for 2-3 minutes, stirring frequently, until they are fragrant and lightly browned. Sprinkle in the flour and stir until the walnuts are completely coated. This helps create a lovely crust.

Crucially, remove the pan from the heat immediately before adding the brown sugar. If you add brown sugar while the flour is still cooking at high heat, it can quickly caramelize and harden, resulting in a less pleasant, rock-hard topping. By adding it off the heat, the brown sugar gently melts and adheres to the walnuts, creating a delightful candied texture.

Allow the candied walnuts to cool slightly, then generously sprinkle them evenly over the frosted banana cinnamon rolls. Serve these magnificent rolls warm and enjoy every single bite!

❓Frequently Asked Questions About Banana Cinnamon Rolls

We hope you love these banana cinnamon rolls as much as we do! If you have any further questions or need additional assistance, please don’t hesitate to leave a comment below. If you enjoy this recipe, feel free to share it with your friends and family!

🍌 Discover More Unique Banana Recipes

Looking for creative ways to use up those ripe bananas beyond the usual muffins or bread? We regularly feature a variety of unusual and delicious banana recipes that offer fantastic alternatives to traditional banana bread. Dive into these unique treats and make the most of your ripe bananas!

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