Get ready for a real treat with my latest kitchen creation: Banana Bread Cinnamon Rolls! Bursting with real banana goodness, toasted walnuts, and a luscious homemade cream cheese frosting, these rolls redefine already indulgent nature of cinnamon rolls.
Banana Bread and a Cinnamon Roll All in One
These banana bread cinnamon rolls bring together the goodness of banana bread and the sweet simplicity of cinnamon rolls. The dough gets its flavor from mashed bananas, while layers of brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and nuts add a classic cinnamon roll touch. Baked to golden perfection, these rolls perfectly balance the comforting taste of banana bread with the familiar delight of cinnamon rolls. Topped with cream cheese frosting, they're a delicious mashup of two favorite treats in every bite. Whether fresh from the oven or at room temperature, they deliver the best of both worlds.
Are Banana Cinnamon Rolls Breakfast or Dessert?
banana bread cinnamon rolls can be enjoyed for both breakfast and dessert. The combination of banana bread flavors with the classic cinnamon roll elements makes them versatile for various occasions. Have them as a sweet start to your morning or indulge in them as a delightful dessert. The choice is yours!
Troubleshooting Cinnamon Roll Dough
Running into some issues while trying to put together the dough for your banana bread cinnamon rolls? Try some of these common problems.
- Yeast Activation Issue: Dough not rising.
- Dissolve yeast in warm liquid.
- Check for bubbling and frothing.
- Kneading Issue: Dough is tough or too dense.
- Knead dough thoroughly for 8-10 minutes by hand or using the dough hook on a stand mixer.
- Rising Time Issue: Dough not doubling in size.
- Allow dough to double in a warm, draft-free area. Colder environments will take longer to rise. You can also use the "proof" setting on your oven if you have one!
- Flour Quantity Issue: Dough too sticky or too dry.
- Add flour gradually until smooth and slightly tacky. You may not need all of the flour called for in the recipe or you may need a touch more.
- Overproofing Issue: Cinnamon rolls collapse in the oven.
- Don't allow dough to rise for too long before baking.
How To Toast Walnuts
Taking a few minutes to toast your walnuts will make these rolls so much better! To quickly toast walnuts for your banana bread cinnamon rolls, you can use a stovetop or oven method. Here's a quick guide:
- Pan Toasting:
- Heat a dry skillet or pan over medium heat.
- Add the walnuts to the hot pan, spreading them in a single layer.
- Toast for about 3-5 minutes, stirring frequently to ensure even toasting.
- Remove from heat when they become fragrant and take on a golden-brown color.
- Oven Toasting (if preferred):
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Spread the walnuts on a baking sheet in a single layer.
- Toast in the preheated oven for about 5-7 minutes, or until fragrant and lightly browned.
- Keep a close eye on them to prevent over-toasting.
Whichever method you choose, be sure to let the toasted walnuts cool before incorporating them into the filling for your delicious Banana Bread Cinnamon Rolls. Toasting enhances the nutty flavor, adding an extra layer of richness to your rolls.
Reheating and Storage Instructions
To store and reheat banana bread cinnamon rolls:
Storage:
- Refrigeration: For longer storage (up to a week), place the rolls in the refrigerator, ensuring they are tightly covered to prevent them from drying out.
- Freezing: If you want to store them for an extended period, wrap individual rolls or the entire batch tightly in plastic wrap and foil before freezing. Thaw in the refrigerator before reheating.
Reheating:
- Microwave: For a quick individual serving, microwave a single roll for about 15-20 seconds. Be cautious not to overheat to prevent the rolls from becoming too dry.
- Oven: To reheat multiple rolls, preheat your oven to 325°F (163°C), place the rolls on a baking sheet, and warm for 8-10 minutes. Covering them with foil can prevent excessive browning.
- Steamer: If you have a steamer, you can lightly steam the rolls to restore moisture without making them too hot.
Banana Cinnamon Rolls
Banana-infused yeast dough rolled with brown sugar, cinnamon, and nuts, baked to perfection. Topped with cream cheese frosting for a delicious twist on classic cinnamon rolls.
- Total Time: 2 hours 25 minutes
- Yield: 18 rolls
Ingredients
For The Rolls
- ¾ cup whole milk, warmed (not too hot)
- ¼ cup + 1 teaspoon white granulated sugar, divided
- 2 ¼ teaspoons active dry yeast
- ¾ cup mashed ripe banana (1 large or 2 medium bananas)
- 1 large egg yolk
- ½ stick (¼ cup) unsalted butter, melted
- ¾ teaspoon salt
- 4 cups all-purpose flour, spooned and leveled
For The Filling
- ⅔ cup dark brown sugar, packed
- 5 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- ⅛ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ½ cup (heaping) toasted chopped walnuts
- 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
- 1 banana, sliced very thin
For The Icing
- 1 block (8 ounces) cream cheese, room temperature
- 1 stick (4 ounces) unsalted butter, softened
- ¾ cup powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- Small pinch of salt
Instructions
For The Rolls
- Add 1 teaspoon white granulated sugar to milk and sprinkle yeast on top. Let sit for about 10 minutes or until frothy and fragrant.
- To the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with dough hook, add yeast mixture, the rest of the granulated sugar, and egg yolk. Mix on low until combined, then add the bananas and mix them in as well.
- Add melted butter and salt to bowl, mix for 1 minute, then add the flour slowly in several additions while mixing on low. Check the dough after about 3 ½ cups of flour have been added. It should be fairly sticky but not wet. If too wet, add more flour.
- Mix on medium-high speed for 10 minutes. While the dough is mixing, oil a large mixing bowl. Turn dough out into oiled bowl and turn over to coat.
- Cover loosely with warm damp dish towel and set in a warm place for about 90 minutes, or until doubled in size.
Filling And Assembly
- Grease a large rectangular baking dish. In a bowl, stir together brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and toasted walnuts.
- Punch down dough and turn out onto a floured work surface. Use a floured rolling pin to roll dough out into a rectangle approximately 15 x 17 inches. Spread with 6 tablespoons unsalted butter.
- Sprinkle dough with filling mixture, making sure to cover all the way out to the edges. Top with thinly-sliced banana.
- Starting on the long edge, tightly roll up the dough into a log. Use your hands to gently stretch and squish the log until it's relatively the same diameter along its entire length. Use a sharp, serrated edge knife to cut into 15-18 equal slices and set into prepared pan.
- Cover loosely with plastic wrap and let rise in a warm place for an additional 30 minutes or until the rolls look puffy. Preheat oven to 350F.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes. You want the rolls to look slightly golden but not be overbaked and dried out. Let cool in pan a few minutes while preparing frosting.
Icing and Serving
- Use a hand mixer on low to combine all icing ingredients, adding the powdered sugar in last. Spread over warm cinnamon rolls - as little or as much as you want - and serve immediately.
Notes
Helpful Equipment
Wooden Rolling Pin - I've used this one for yearrrrrsss.
Silicone Baking Mat - I SWEAR by using these mats, with measurements, for getting the sizing right on rolls, cut-out cookies, pie crusts, etc. They are so great!
Overnight Process: Prepare the rolls up to step 4 of assembly. Cover and place in refrigerator. The next day, let the rolls sit on the counter about 30 minutes before baking and icing as instructed.
- Prep Time: 2 hours
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Breakfast, Dessert
- Method: Oven
- Cuisine: N/A
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 roll
- Calories: 340
- Sugar: 17g
- Sodium: 156mg
- Fat: 17.6g
- Saturated Fat: 9.8g
- Carbohydrates: 41.3g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 40mg
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Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I make these rolls ahead of time? A: Absolutely! You can prepare the dough the night before, refrigerate, and bake them fresh in the morning after letting them sit on the counter for about 30 minutes.
Q: Can I freeze them? A: Yes, you can freeze both unbaked and baked and iced rolls. Wrap them well, and they'll stay delicious for months.
Q: Can I skip the nuts in the filling? A: Of course! The nuts add a nice crunch, but feel free to omit them if you have allergies or simply prefer without.
Q: Can I use a different frosting? A: Definitely! While cream cheese frosting is classic, you can switch it up with a simple vanilla glaze or your favorite icing.
Q: Can I reheat them in the microwave? A: Yes, a quick spin in the microwave (about 15-20 seconds) is perfect for reheating individual rolls. Just be careful not to overdo it.
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