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Banana Bread Cinnamon Rolls

  • Author: Judy
  • Prep Time: 30 minutes
  • Rise Time: 1 hour 45 minutes
  • Cook Time: 25-30 minutes
  • Total Time: About 3 hours
  • Yield: 12 rolls 1x

Description

Banana Bread Cinnamon Rolls: A delicious blend of banana bread and cinnamon rolls. Perfect for ripe bananas, great for any meal!


Ingredients

Scale

For the Dough:

  • 1 cup mashed ripe bananas (about 2 large)
  • 1/2 cup warm milk (110°F)
  • 1/4 cup melted butter
  • 1/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 large egg
  • 2 1/4 tsp active dry yeast (1 packet)
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 3 1/4 cups all-purpose flour (plus more for kneading)

For the Filling:

  • 1/2 cup brown sugar
  • 1 tbsp ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 cup softened butter

For the Cream Cheese Frosting:

  • 4 oz cream cheese, softened
  • 2 tbsp butter, softened
  • 3/4 cup powdered sugar
  • 1/2 tsp vanilla extract

Instructions

Prepare the Dough:

  1. Activate the yeast: In a small bowl, combine warm milk and 1 tsp of the granulated sugar. Sprinkle the yeast over the top and let sit for about 5-10 minutes until foamy.
  2. Mix wet ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine mashed bananas, melted butter, remaining sugar, and egg. Mix until well combined.
  3. Add yeast mixture: Pour the activated yeast mixture into the banana mixture and stir to combine.
  4. Add dry ingredients: Add salt and 3 cups of flour, one cup at a time, mixing after each addition. The dough will be slightly sticky.
  5. Knead the dough: Turn the dough out onto a floured surface. Knead for 5-8 minutes, adding the remaining 1/4 cup flour as needed, until the dough is smooth and elastic.
  6. First rise: Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover with a clean kitchen towel, and let rise in a warm place for about 1 hour, or until doubled in size.

Make the Filling:

  1. In a small bowl, mix together brown sugar and cinnamon until well combined.
  2. Have your softened butter ready for spreading.

Assemble the Rolls:

  1. Roll out the dough: After the dough has risen, punch it down and turn it out onto a lightly floured surface. Roll the dough into a large rectangle, approximately 16×12 inches.
  2. Add the filling: Spread the softened butter evenly over the dough, leaving a 1/2-inch border around the edges. Sprinkle the cinnamon-sugar mixture evenly over the butter.
  3. Roll and cut: Starting from the long edge, tightly roll the dough into a log. Using a sharp knife or unflavored dental floss, cut the log into 12 equal pieces, about 1 1/2 inches thick.
  4. Second rise: Place the rolls in a greased 9×13 inch baking dish. Cover and let rise for another 30-45 minutes, until puffy.

Bake and Frost:

  1. Preheat and bake: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake the rolls for 25-30 minutes, until golden brown.
  2. Make the frosting: While the rolls are baking, beat together cream cheese and butter until smooth. Add powdered sugar and vanilla, and beat until creamy.
  3. Apply frosting: Let the rolls cool slightly (about 10 minutes) before spreading the cream cheese frosting over the warm rolls.

Notes

  • Add-ins: For extra texture and flavor, consider adding 1/2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans to the filling
  • Banana intensity: For more pronounced banana flavor, add 1/4 tsp banana extract to the dough
  • Gluten-free option: This recipe can be adapted using a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend, though the texture will be slightly different
  • Dairy-free alternative: Use plant-based milk, vegan butter, and dairy-free cream cheese for a dairy-free version

Nutrition

  • Calories: Approximately 320 per roll