Banana Cinnamon Rolls (Printable Version)
Soft rolls filled with ripe banana and cinnamon, topped with creamy glaze
# 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
# Directions:
01 - Whisk together warm milk, sugar, and yeast in a large bowl. Let stand for 5 minutes until the mixture becomes foamy, indicating the yeast is active.
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. Place in a greased bowl, cover with plastic wrap or a clean towel, and let rise until doubled in volume, approximately 1 hour.
04 - Punch down the risen dough and 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 an even layer.
06 - Roll the dough tightly from the long edge into a log. Using a sharp knife or bench scraper, cut the log into 12 equal rolls, approximately 1 ½ inches wide each.
07 - Place rolls cut-side up in a greased 9x13-inch baking dish. Cover loosely and allow to rise for 30 minutes until puffy and nearly doubled in size.
08 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Bake rolls for 22-25 minutes until golden brown on top and cooked through. The internal temperature should reach 190°F when fully baked.
09 - While rolls bake, beat cream cheese and softened butter until smooth and creamy. Mix in powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and enough milk to achieve a pourable consistency.
10 - Drizzle the cream cheese glaze generously over the warm rolls immediately after removing from the oven. Serve while still warm for the best texture and flavor experience.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- The mashed banana in the dough creates an incredibly soft texture that stays moist for days
- That combination of warm cinnamon and fresh banana slices is like comfort food taken to the next level
02 -
- Do not rush the rising time, even if the dough looks ready sooner, because that second rise is what gives you those pillowy soft rolls
- Wait until the rolls are just warm, not piping hot, before glazing or the glaze will melt right off
03 -
- Use very ripe bananas with lots of brown spots for the most flavor and natural sweetness
- If your kitchen is cool, let the dough rise in the oven with just the light on for warmth