Banana Cinnamon Rolls (Printable)
Soft, pillowy rolls swirled with ripe banana and cinnamon, topped with creamy glaze for the ultimate breakfast indulgence.
# What You Need:
→ Dough
01 - 3 ½ cups all-purpose flour
02 - ¼ cup granulated sugar
03 - 2 ¼ tsp active dry yeast (1 packet)
04 - ½ tsp salt
05 - ¾ cup warm milk
06 - ¼ cup unsalted butter, melted
07 - 2 large eggs
08 - 1 ripe banana, mashed
→ Filling
09 - ⅓ cup unsalted butter, softened
10 - ½ cup brown sugar
11 - 1 tbsp ground cinnamon
12 - 1 large banana, thinly sliced
→ Cream Cheese Glaze
13 - 4 oz cream cheese, softened
14 - 2 tbsp unsalted butter, softened
15 - 1 cup powdered sugar
16 - 1–2 tbsp milk
17 - ½ tsp vanilla extract
# How-To:
01 - Whisk together warm milk, sugar, and yeast in a large bowl. Let stand for 5 minutes until mixture becomes foamy, indicating yeast activation.
02 - Add melted butter, mashed banana, eggs, and salt to the yeast mixture. Stir thoroughly to combine. Gradually incorporate flour, mixing until a soft, cohesive dough forms.
03 - Turn dough onto a floured surface and knead for 6-8 minutes until smooth and elastic. Transfer to a greased bowl, cover with plastic wrap, and let rise in a warm place until doubled in volume, approximately 1 hour.
04 - Punch down risen dough to release air. Roll out into a 16x12-inch rectangle on a lightly floured surface, ensuring even thickness throughout.
05 - Spread softened butter evenly over the dough surface. Sprinkle brown sugar and cinnamon mixture across the buttered area, then arrange banana slices in a single layer.
06 - Starting from the long edge, roll dough tightly into a log. Use a sharp knife or bench scraper to cut into 12 equal portions, approximately 1 ½ inches wide.
07 - Place rolls cut-side up in a greased 9x13-inch baking dish, spacing evenly. Cover loosely with a clean towel and let rise for 30 minutes until puffy.
08 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Bake rolls for 22-25 minutes until golden brown and cooked through. The tops should spring back lightly when touched.
09 - Beat cream cheese and softened butter until smooth and creamy. Incorporate powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and enough milk to achieve a thick but pourable consistency.
10 - Drizzle warm cream cheese glaze generously over the freshly baked rolls. Serve immediately while warm for optimal texture and flavor.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- The banana keeps these rolls incredibly moist, meaning they stay soft even the next day
- That cream cheese glaze transforms everything into something that tastes like a bakery made a special exception just for you
02 -
- Letting your dough rise in a warm, draft-free spot makes all the difference between fluffy rolls and dense ones
- Using dental floss or unflavored thread to slice the rolls gives you cleaner cuts than a knife
03 -
- Reserve a little brown sugar mixture to sprinkle on top of the rolls before baking for extra caramelized crunch
- Let the rolls cool for just 5 minutes before glazing so the frosting melts perfectly into every crevice