Banana Bread Cinnamon Rolls
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Banana Bread Cinnamon Rolls are the very best parts of two iconic breakfast favorites—banana bread and cinnamon rolls! Moist banana, perfectly spiced dough, and creamy frosting on top will have you drooling.
I want to make a case for fancy breakfasts. It’s easy to skip breakfast or do something quick and easy, like toast or yogurt. But the days when I take the time to make something special, like French Toast or pancakes or… cinnamon rolls? Those days always go so much better! Start the day with a party and the party will continue. This recipe is a great way to do that.
Banana Bread Cinnamon Rolls
What do you get when you combine banana bread with cinnamon rolls? These incredible Banana Bread Cinnamon Rolls! A cinnamon roll and banana bread in one, how could these not be good? Then when they are slathered generously with cream cheese frosting and finished off with toasted nuts, all I can say is wow, yum! This is breakfast done right.
I prefer to eat these treats right out of the oven, just seconds after I slather on the cream cheese frosting. I love melty frosting on a warm, fresh cinnamon roll. Some people might choose to spread the frosting after the rolls have cooled, so that the frosting stays thick. There’s no wrong way to enjoy these cinnamon rolls—but I do think that they pair best with a big glass of milk!
Other Brunch Treats to Try
Brunch is the best opportunity to eat treats and celebrate. What are we celebrating? Anything we want—or nothing at all! Just whip up some of your favorite breakfast foods, some delicious treats, and a friend or two to enjoy them with. If you don’t have a brunch habit, it might be time to create a tradition. Sunday brunch with family. Special brunches for holidays. Birthday brunches! There’s no bad time to brunch, in my opinion. Here are some of my best brunch recipes:
- Puff Pastry Baked Eggs
- Maple Pecan Scones
- Lemon Belgian Waffles with Blueberry Syrup
- Strawberry Coffee Cake
- Nutella Stuffed French Toast
- Lemon Poppy Seed Scones
Follow Easy Cooking Zone
Banana Bread Cinnamon Rolls
Ingredients
- 3 medium overripe bananas
- 1 tsp lemon juice
- 2/3 cup milk (I used whole)
- 3 Tbsp butter , diced
- 2 Tbsp vegetable oil
- 2 1/4 tsp active dry yeast
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 large egg yolk
- 3 3/4 cups bread flour , divided
- 1 Tbsp cornstarch
- 3/4 tsp baking powder
- 3/4 cup packed light-brown sugar
- 1 1/2 tsp cinnamon
- 1/8 tsp nutmeg
- 6 Tbsp butter , melted
- 1 recipe Cream Cheese Frosting , recipe follows
- toasted walnuts or pecans , chopped (optional)
Cream Cheese Frosting
- 6 oz . cream cheese , softened
- 6 Tbsp butter , softened
- 2 1/4 cups powdered sugar
- 2 - 3 tsp milk
Instructions
- Puree bananas in a food processor along with 1 tsp lemon juice until mixture is smooth and no chunks remain, set aside (you should have just over 1 1/3 cups pureed bananas).
- Heat milk and 3 Tbsp butter in a small saucepan over medium low heat. Cook stirring occasionally until butter has melted. Remove from heat and pour mixture into the bowl of an electric stand mixer. Whisk in vegetable oil and allow mixture to cool to 110 degrees. Whisk in yeast, stirring until dissolved and allow mixture to rest 5 minutes.
- With the paddle attachment, mix in granulated sugar, salt, egg yolk, 2 cups bread flour and pureed bananas. Switch mixer to a hook attachment, add 1 1/2 cups bread flour and sprinkle in cornstarch, then knead mixture on medium low speed until a smooth and elastic dough forms (dough will be sticky). Cover bowl with plastic wrap and allow to rise to until doubled in size, about 1 1/2 hours.
- In a small bowl whisk together light-brown sugar, cinnamon and nutmeg, set aside.
- In a separate small bowl, whisk together remaining 1/4 cup bread flour and baking powder. Return bowl with dough to electric stand mixer, pour in flour/baking powder mixture and knead dough with hook attachment until mixture is well blended and smooth.
- Roll dough out on a floured surface (dough should be slightly sticky so I floured the surface fairly generously) to a 16 x 20 inch rectangle. Using the back of a spoon, spread 6 Tbsp melted butter evenly over the top of the dough. Sprinkle top evenly with brown sugar mixture and spread into an even layer, coming within a 1/2 inch of all edges. Starting on the 16 inch side, snugly roll dough to opposite end.
- Cut rolled dough into 12 equal pieces (I cut it in half first, then halves into halves, then those halves into thirds). Arrange rolls in a buttered 13 x 9 inch baking dish (reshaping flat sides as needed).
- Cover baking dish with plastic wrap and allow to rise until doubled in size, about 45 minutes. Preheat oven to 350 degrees (I do this during the last 10 minutes of rising) and bake rolls in preheated oven for 22 - 26 minutes until golden. Allow to cool slightly then cut into rolls and frost with Cream Cheese Frosting and sprinkle with optional chopped nuts.
Cream Cheese Frosting
- In a large mixing bowl, using an electric and mixer, whip together cream cheese and butter until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes. Add powdered sugar and mix until smooth. Pour in milk and mix until well blended.
- Recipe Source: Easy Cooking Zone