Banana Bread Cinnamon Rolls Recipe

If you love a cozy mash-up of everyone’s favorite breakfast treats, these Banana Bread Cinnamon Rolls are destined to be your new obsession. Imagine the comforting flavor of classic banana bread, swirled with gooey cinnamon sugar, and finished with a cloud of creamy frosting—pure breakfast bliss in every bite.

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Ingredients You’ll Need

Don’t be intimidated by homemade dough—these Banana Bread Cinnamon Rolls rely on a handful of straightforward ingredients you probably already have. Each one plays a starring role in creating that crave-worthy balance of tender bread, sweet banana flavor, cinnamon warmth, and tangy cream cheese icing.

• Lukewarm Milk: The warm liquid activates the yeast and builds a rich, tender dough. Make sure it’s not too hot, or the yeast won’t cooperate!
• Unsalted Butter: Adds moisture and a buttery, melt-in-your-mouth texture, both in the dough and the swirly filling.
• Granulated Sugar: Sweetens the dough and fuels the yeast’s rise.
• All-Purpose Flour: The foundation for soft, pillowy rolls. Spoon and level for accurate measuring.
• Instant Yeast: Cuts down on rise time and makes the dough easy to pull together—no proofing needed for most brands!
• Salt: Don’t skip it! Even a little salt brings out sweetness and balances the flavors.
• Mashed Banana: The superstar ingredient, giving both flavor and a delightful moisture reminiscent of the best banana bread.
• Light Brown Sugar: Behind that gooey cinnamon swirl, brown sugar adds caramel notes and melts into the butter as it bakes.
• Cinnamon: Bold, warm, and just fragrant enough to evoke those cinnamon roll cravings.
• Bananas, Sliced: Layered right inside the rolls—for juicy, sweet bites throughout.
• Heavy Cream: Pouring a little over the rolls before baking keeps them ultra-tender and extra decadent.
• Cream Cheese: The key to that signature tangy, creamy frosting.
• Powdered Sugar: For an irresistibly smooth, luscious cream cheese glaze.
• Vanilla Extract: Rounds out the flavors and brings a little bakery magic to every swirl.

Variations

One of the best things about Banana Bread Cinnamon Rolls is how flexible and fun they are to customize. Whether you’re craving something extra gooey, need a dairy-free switch, or want to sneak in some chocolate, there’s a variation for every appetite and occasion.

• Nutty Crunch: Add a sprinkle of chopped walnuts or pecans over the banana slices before rolling for a banana bread-inspired crunch.
• Chocolate Lovers: Mix mini chocolate chips into the filling to make every bite a little more indulgent—banana, cinnamon, and chocolate are a match made in brunch heaven.
• Dairy-Free: Use your favorite plant-based milk and vegan butter, plus a dairy-free cream cheese for frosting. The results are just as soft and satisfying.
• Maple Glaze: Swap the classic cream cheese frosting for a glossy maple icing for even more warm, cozy flavor.

How to Make Banana Bread Cinnamon Rolls

Step 1: Make the Dough Base

Start by warming your milk, butter, and sugar gently in a saucepan until the butter melts and the mixture is just lukewarm (about 120–130°F for instant yeast, or 105–110°F for active dry). This cozy bath is the secret to a super-tender dough! Mix together your flour, yeast, and salt, then stir in that warm buttery milk and mashed banana. Everything should come together into a soft, shaggy ball—promise, it smells like banana bread already.

Step 2: Knead to Soft Perfection

Knead your dough (either with a stand mixer or by hand) until it’s smooth, elastic, and only a little bit tacky. As you knead, you’ll see it transform—don’t be tempted to add too much extra flour; the goal is soft, pillowy dough. This is the key to light and fluffy Banana Bread Cinnamon Rolls, so give it a good 6–8 minutes with a mixer, or around 10 by hand.

Step 3: Let it Rise and Roll Out

Once your dough is smooth, transfer it to a greased bowl, cover, and let it rise in a cozy spot until doubled in size—usually about 1 to 1.5 hours. After it’s puffed, roll out the dough into a large rectangle (about 18×12 inches) on a lightly floured surface. This is your cinnamon roll canvas!

Step 4: Spread, Sprinkle, and Layer

Slather the rolled-out dough with soft butter (this will help the filling stick and melt gorgeously). Mix together your brown sugar and cinnamon, then sprinkle evenly over the butter. Finally, arrange your thin banana slices on top, covering as much dough as possible—don’t hold back, these slices bake into the most incredible sweet, gooey pockets inside the rolls!

Step 5: Roll, Slice, and Second Rise

Starting at one long edge, tightly roll up the dough into a log and pinch to seal. For the prettiest Banana Bread Cinnamon Roll spirals, use a piece of thread or unflavored dental floss to slice into 12 equal rolls (it keeps the filling from squishing out). Arrange them cut-side up in a greased 9×13-inch pan, cover, and let them rise again until puffy—about 45 minutes.

Step 6: Bake with a Creamy Secret

When it’s almost time to bake, gently warm the heavy cream and pour it over the risen rolls. This trick keeps the centers extra-moist and decadent. Bake at 350°F for 30–35 minutes, until golden and fragrant. Let them cool for about 20 minutes while you whip up the easy frosting.

Step 7: Cream Cheese Frosting Finish

Beat your cream cheese and butter together until creamy, then add powdered sugar and vanilla, whipping until fluffy and smooth. Frost your Banana Bread Cinnamon Rolls while they’re still slightly warm—the icing will melt into all those beautiful swirls, making every bite utterly dreamy.

How to Serve Banana Bread Cinnamon Rolls

Garnishes

For an extra-swoon-worthy finish, scatter a handful of toasted nuts or a dusting of cinnamon over the frosted Banana Bread Cinnamon Rolls. A drizzle of warm caramel or a few thin banana coins on top make them look irresistible and hint at the flavors inside.

Side Dishes

These cinnamon rolls are substantial enough to steal the spotlight for breakfast or brunch, but they pair beautifully with a fresh fruit salad, crisp bacon, or fluffy scrambled eggs. For a special brunch spread, offer a bold cup of coffee or a glass of freshly squeezed orange juice alongside.

Creative Ways to Present

Serve Banana Bread Cinnamon Rolls straight from the pan for homey, family-style charm, or plate individually with a decorative swirl of extra frosting and a sprinkle of cinnamon. Mini versions are adorable for parties, and a towering “cinnamon roll cake” (stacked high and frosted between the layers) makes for a jaw-dropping brunch centerpiece.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Store leftover rolls in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days or in the fridge for up to 4 days. If you prefer a gooey, just-baked texture, pop them in the microwave for a few seconds before digging in again.

Freezing

These Banana Bread Cinnamon Rolls freeze like a dream. Wrap cooled, unfrosted rolls tightly in plastic wrap and foil, then freeze for up to 2 months. You can also freeze individual frosted rolls—just know the icing may be softer after thawing.

Reheating

To reheat, thaw rolls (if frozen) and gently warm in the microwave for 20–30 seconds or in a low oven until heated through. Add a fresh swipe of frosting after warming to recreate that “fresh from the oven” experience.

FAQs

Final Thoughts

I can hardly think of a cozier way to start the day than with a pan of warm, homemade Banana Bread Cinnamon Rolls—there’s something so special about that first, gooey bite shared around the breakfast table. Grab some ripe bananas and treat yourself (and your favorite people) to a batch soon—you’ll fall in love at first swirl!

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