Description
Indulge in these Heavenly Banana Bread Cinnamon Rolls, a perfect blend of moist banana bread and classic cinnamon rolls ideal for a weekend brunch. Soft, fluffy rolls enriched with ripe bananas, filled with a cinnamon-sugar walnut spread, and topped with creamy cream cheese frosting create an irresistible treat everyone will love.
Ingredients
Scale
Dough Ingredients
- 1 cup Warm Milk (Any milk of choice)
- 2 teaspoons Active Dry Yeast (Ensure it’s fresh)
- 1/4 cup Granulated Sugar (Can be reduced for less sweetness)
- 1/4 cup Melted Butter (Substitute with plant-based butter for vegan)
- 2 large Eggs (Can be replaced with flax eggs)
- 1 teaspoon Salt
- 1 cup Mashed Bananas (Use very ripe bananas)
- 3 cups All-Purpose Flour (Accurate measurement is key)
Filling Ingredients
- 1/2 cup Brown Sugar (Can substitute with coconut sugar)
- 2 tablespoons Ground Cinnamon (Add nutmeg for extra warmth)
- 1/2 cup Chopped Walnuts (Optional; can be replaced with pecans or chocolate chips)
- Butter, softened (amount not specified, estimated 1/4 cup for filling)
Frosting Ingredients
- 8 ounces Cream Cheese (Use vegan for a dairy-free option)
- 2 cups Powdered Sugar (Adjust for desired consistency)
- 2 tablespoons Melted Butter (from dough or additional, estimated)
- 1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract (Almond extract for a twist)
Instructions
- Activate Yeast: Combine the warm milk, active dry yeast, and granulated sugar in a bowl. Allow the mixture to sit undisturbed for about 5 minutes until it becomes foamy, indicating the yeast is active.
- Prepare Dough Mixture: In a large mixing bowl, whisk melted butter, eggs, salt, and mashed bananas until evenly combined to create a moist base for the dough.
- Add Flour: Gradually incorporate the all-purpose flour into the wet ingredients, mixing until a soft dough forms that is slightly sticky but manageable.
- Knead Dough: Transfer the dough to a floured surface and knead gently for approximately 10 minutes, developing the gluten for structure and elasticity.
- First Rise: Place the kneaded dough into a greased bowl, cover it with a clean kitchen towel or plastic wrap, and let it rise in a warm spot for about 1 hour until doubled in size.
- Prepare Filling: In a separate bowl, combine softened butter, brown sugar, ground cinnamon, and chopped walnuts to form a thick, spreadable cinnamon filling.
- Shape Rolls: Roll the risen dough into a large rectangle on a lightly floured surface. Spread the cinnamon filling evenly over the dough, then tightly roll the dough from the long side to form a log.
- Slice Rolls: Cut the rolled dough into 12 equal-sized pieces to create individual cinnamon rolls.
- Second Rise: Arrange the rolls in a greased baking pan, cover them, and allow to rise for an additional 30 minutes until puffed.
- Bake: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake the rolls for 25-30 minutes, until golden brown and cooked through.
- Prepare Frosting: While the rolls bake, beat together cream cheese, melted butter, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract until smooth and creamy.
- Frost Rolls: Once baked, spread the cream cheese frosting generously over the warm banana bread cinnamon rolls and serve.
Notes
- For a vegan version, use plant-based butter, vegan cream cheese, and replace eggs with flax eggs.
- Ensure bananas are very ripe for maximum sweetness and moisture.
- You can substitute walnuts with pecans or chocolate chips based on preference.
- Adjust sugar quantities according to your desired sweetness.
- Allowing the dough to rise properly greatly impacts the softness and fluffiness of the rolls.
- Warm milk should be around 110°F to properly activate the yeast without killing it.
