Banana Cinnamon Rolls: A Sweet and Fruity Twist on a Classic

Introduction & Inspiration

As someone who loves to experiment in the kitchen, I’m always looking for new ways to incorporate my favorite flavors into classic recipes. These Banana Cinnamon Rolls are a testament to that passion. They combine the comforting flavors of cinnamon rolls with the sweetness of ripe bananas for a truly unique and delicious treat. The inspiration for this recipe came from my love of banana bread and my desire to create a cinnamon roll that was both fluffy and bursting with fruity flavor.

Homemade Focus

While you can certainly find pre-made cinnamon rolls at the store, there’s nothing quite like the satisfaction of baking them from scratch. This recipe is surprisingly straightforward, and the result is a batch of cinnamon rolls that are far superior to anything you can buy pre-made. Plus, making them yourself allows you to control the quality of ingredients and customize the flavors to your liking.

Flavor Goal

The goal here is to create cinnamon rolls that are soft, fluffy, and bursting with a medley of flavors. We’re talking ripe bananas, warm cinnamon, sweet brown sugar, and tangy cream cheese frosting, all wrapped up in a perfectly textured dough. This combination creates a symphony of flavors that will tantalize your taste buds and leave you wanting more.

Ingredient Insights

Let’s explore the key players in these delightful banana cinnamon rolls:

For the Banana Dough:

• Warmed Milk: Warming the milk helps to activate the yeast and create a fluffy dough.
• Active Dry Yeast: Active dry yeast is a leavening agent that helps the dough to rise and become light and airy.  
• Egg: An egg adds richness and helps to bind the dough together.
• Mashed Bananas: Mashed bananas add natural sweetness and moisture to the dough.
• All-Purpose Flour: All-purpose flour provides the structure for the dough.
• Salt: Salt enhances the flavors of the other ingredients.
• Sugar: Sugar adds sweetness and helps to create a tender crumb.
• Unsalted Butter: Unsalted butter adds richness and flavor to the dough.

For the Cinnamon Banana Filling:

• Unsalted Butter: Softened butter creates a creamy base for the filling.
• Brown Sugar: Brown sugar adds sweetness and a hint of molasses flavor to the filling.
• Ground Cinnamon: Ground cinnamon provides the warm, comforting spice that’s essential to a cinnamon roll.
• Sliced Bananas: Sliced bananas add a burst of fresh banana flavor and a soft texture to the filling.

For the Cream Cheese Icing:

• Cream Cheese: Cream cheese adds a tangy and creamy flavor to the icing.
• Unsalted Butter: Softened butter adds richness and creaminess to the icing.
• Powdered Sugar: Powdered sugar sweetens the icing and creates a smooth and fluffy texture.
• Pure Vanilla Extract: Pure vanilla extract enhances the flavor of the icing.

Equipment

You’ll need a few essential tools to make these banana cinnamon rolls:

• Mixing bowls
• Whisk
• Pastry blender or your hands
• Mixer with dough hook (or a sturdy spoon for mixing by hand)
• Rolling pin
• Offset spatula
• Serrated knife
• 9×13 inch baking pan

Ingredients

Banana Dough:

• ¾ cup milk, warmed to 110°F
• 2 ¼ teaspoons active dry yeast
• 1 large egg, room temperature and lightly beaten
• ⅔ cup mashed bananas
• 5 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon salt
• ¼ cup white granulated sugar
• 10 tablespoons unsalted butter, room temperature and cubed

Cinnamon Banana Filling:

• ½ cup unsalted butter, room temperature
• ¾ cup brown sugar, packed
• 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
• 2 bananas, sliced thinly

Cream Cheese Icing:

• 4 oz cream cheese, room temperature
• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, room temperature
• 1 cup powdered sugar, sifted
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Instructions

Banana Dough:

1. Activate Yeast: Heat the milk to 110°F. Sprinkle yeast on top and let it rest for 10 minutes.
2. Combine Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, mix flour, sugar, and salt. Add cubed butter and use a pastry blender or your hands to cut the butter into the flour until it resembles coarse crumbs.
3. Add Wet Ingredients: Add the milk/yeast mixture, beaten egg, and mashed bananas to the dry ingredients. Mix on low speed until a dough forms, then knead on medium speed for 5 minutes.
4. First Rise: Preheat oven to 200°F. Place dough in a greased bowl, cover with a towel, and let rise in the warmed (then turned off) oven with the door cracked for 1 hour.

Cinnamon Banana Filling:

1. Cream Butter and Sugar: Beat butter until smooth. Add brown sugar and cinnamon, and mix well.
2. Roll and Fill Dough: Roll the dough into a ¼-inch thick rectangle. Spread the cinnamon filling over the dough and top with sliced bananas.
3. Shape Rolls: Roll the dough into a log and cut into 12 even rolls.

Bake:

1. Second Rise: Place rolls in a greased 9×13 inch pan, cover, and let rise for 20 minutes. Preheat oven to 375°F.
2. Bake: Bake for 28-33 minutes, or until golden brown.

Cream Cheese Icing:

1. Cream Cheese and Butter: Beat cream cheese and butter until smooth.
2. Add Sugar and Vanilla: Add powdered sugar and vanilla extract. Mix until creamy.

Frost and Serve:

1. Frost the cooled cinnamon rolls with cream cheese icing and serve warm.

Troubleshooting

• Dough not rising: Make sure the yeast is fresh and the milk is at the correct temperature. Avoid over-kneading the dough, as this can make it tough.
• Rolls dry: Avoid overbaking the rolls. Check for doneness by inserting a toothpick into the center; it should come out clean.
• Icing too thin: Add more powdered sugar to thicken the icing to your desired consistency.

Tips and Variations

• For overnight rolls, prepare the dough and filling as directed, then cover and refrigerate overnight. The next morning, let the rolls rise at room temperature for about 1 hour before baking.
• You can substitute the all-purpose flour with whole wheat flour or a blend for a healthier option.
• Feel free to add other ingredients to the filling, such as chopped nuts, chocolate chips, or raisins.

Serving and Pairing Suggestions

These Banana Cinnamon Rolls are a delightful treat that can be enjoyed on their own or with a variety of accompaniments. They pair well with a cup of coffee, a glass of milk, or a scoop of ice cream. They’re perfect for breakfast, brunch, potlucks, or any special occasion.

Nutritional Information

(Per serving, approximate)

• Calories: ~450
• Fat: ~25g
• Cholesterol: ~80mg
• Sodium: ~400mg
• Carbohydrates: ~60g
• Protein: ~8g

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Recipe Summary and Q&A

Recipe Name: Banana Cinnamon Rolls

Prep Time: 40 minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Rise Time: 1 hour 20 minutes

Yields: 12 rolls

Q: Can I use instant yeast instead of active dry yeast?

A: Yes, you can use instant yeast, but you may need to adjust the amount according to the package instructions.

Q: Can I make the dough without a mixer?

A: Yes, you can knead the dough by hand for about 10-12 minutes, or until it becomes smooth and elastic.

Q: Can I freeze these cinnamon rolls?

A: Yes, you can freeze the baked cinnamon rolls. Let them cool completely, then wrap them individually in plastic wrap and aluminum foil before freezing. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.