Two soft, swirled treats meet in these Banana Bread Cinnamon Rolls: the tender, moist crumb of banana bread wrapped into warm cinnamon rolls. They smell of brown sugar and cinnamon as they bake, with a faint banana sweetness and a golden, slightly crisp edge. Serve them warm for gooey texture, or cool slightly and top with cream cheese frosting for a tangy finish. If you enjoy cozy spice desserts, you might also like this Elegant Spiced Gingerbread Truffles for a different twist on holiday flavors.
Recipe Information
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 22 minutes
- Total Time: 42 minutes
- Servings: 8 rolls
- Difficulty Level: Easy
Nutrition Information
(Approximate per serving; recipe yields 8 servings, no frosting, no optional nuts)
- Calories per serving: 280 kcal
- Protein: 4 g
- Carbohydrates: 49 g
- Fat: 7 g
- Fiber: 1.5 g
- Sugar: 29 g
- Sodium: 180 mg
Why Make This Banana Bread Cinnamon Rolls
These rolls give you banana bread flavor in a fun, handheld form. The banana keeps the dough moist and tender while the cinnamon-sugar swirl adds warm, caramel notes. They bake quickly, fit well into a weekend brunch, and are excellent for using ripe bananas. The aroma while baking fills the kitchen with comforting spice and sweetness.
How to Make Banana Bread Cinnamon Rolls
This recipe follows simple steps: mix a banana-rich batter, roll it with a cinnamon-sugar filling, slice into rounds, and bake until golden. The technique is straightforward and forgiving, so even beginners can get good results. Optional chopped nuts add crunch and cream cheese frosting adds a creamy tang.
Ingredients:
- 2 ripe bananas, mashed
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1/4 cup melted butter
- 2 eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 cup chopped nuts (optional)
- 1/2 cup cream cheese (for frosting, optional)
Directions:
Step 1: Preparation
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). In a large bowl, mix the mashed bananas, sugar, brown sugar, melted butter, eggs, and vanilla extract until well combined.
Step 2: Mixing
In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon. Gradually add this dry mixture to the banana mixture until just combined. If using, fold in the chopped nuts.
Step 3: Cooking
Spread the dough on a floured surface and roll it out into a rectangle. Sprinkle with a cinnamon and brown sugar mixture (combine 1/4 cup brown sugar and 1 tablespoon cinnamon), then roll up tightly. Slice into rolls and place them in a greased baking dish. Bake for 20–25 minutes or until golden brown and a toothpick near the center comes out clean.
Step 4: Finishing
If desired, beat softened cream cheese with a little powdered sugar and vanilla to make a simple frosting. Top the rolls after cooling slightly so the frosting spreads smoothly but still melts into crevices. Serve warm.
How to Serve Banana Bread Cinnamon Rolls
Serve warm for the best texture — the center should be soft and slightly gooey. Add a drizzle of cream cheese frosting or a light dusting of powdered sugar. Pair with coffee, hot tea, or a glass of cold milk. These rolls work well for breakfast, brunch, dessert, or as a sweet snack at gatherings.
How to Store Banana Bread Cinnamon Rolls
- At room temperature: Store in an airtight container for up to 2 days. Warm briefly before serving.
- In the refrigerator: Keep in an airtight container for up to 5 days (especially if frosted).
- In the freezer: Individually wrap rolls in plastic wrap and freeze in a sealed bag for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge and warm in the oven or microwave before serving.
Expert Tips for Perfect Banana Bread Cinnamon Rolls
- Use very ripe bananas for the best banana flavor and natural sweetness.
- Do not overmix the batter after adding flour — mix until just combined to keep rolls tender.
- Roll the dough tightly but don’t squeeze out the filling; a snug roll gives neat swirls.
- If the dough is sticky, chill it 10–15 minutes before rolling or flour your surface lightly.
- Test doneness with a toothpick in the center of a roll — it should come out mostly clean.
- For even baking, slice rolls a uniform thickness (about 1 to 1 1/4 inches each).
- Toast nuts lightly before chopping for deeper flavor if you include them.
- If using frosting, let the rolls cool 5–10 minutes so frosting melts slightly but does not run off.
Delicious Variations
- Maple Pecan: Replace optional nuts with chopped pecans and add 2 tablespoons maple syrup to the batter.
- Chocolate Swirl: Sprinkle mini chocolate chips into the cinnamon filling before rolling.
- Tropical Twist: Add 1/4 cup shredded coconut and swap half the sugar for coconut sugar.
- Healthy Swap: Replace 1/2 cup flour with whole wheat pastry flour and reduce sugar by 2 tablespoons.
- Frosting Options: Use a lemon glaze, vanilla glaze, or a simple dusting of powdered sugar instead of cream cheese.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I use frozen mashed bananas?
A: Yes. Thaw completely and drain any excess liquid. Pat the bananas dry if they seem watery, then mash and use as directed.
Q: Can I make these ahead and bake later?
A: Yes. Prepare the rolled and sliced pans, cover tightly with plastic wrap, and refrigerate up to 24 hours before baking. Let them sit at room temperature 20 minutes before baking.
Q: Will the rolls turn out if I omit the brown sugar in the filling?
A: You can omit brown sugar, but white sugar won’t give the same molasses flavor or moistness. Try using a mix of white and brown or add a touch of molasses if needed.
Q: How do I prevent soggy bottoms?
A: Use a well-greased baking dish and bake at the correct temperature. If your oven runs cool, increase heat slightly or bake a few extra minutes. Avoid underbaking.
Q: Can I add yeast to make a lighter, bread-like roll?
A: This recipe is a quick-bread style using baking powder/soda. For yeasted cinnamon rolls, you’ll need a different dough recipe and rise times.
Q: Are these suitable for freezing?
A: Yes. Freeze baked rolls (frosted or unfrosted) in an airtight container for up to 2 months. Reheat gently in the oven or microwave.
Q: How can I make them more moist?
A: Use very ripe bananas, don’t overbake, and consider adding a tablespoon of sour cream or yogurt to the batter for extra moisture.
Conclusion
These Banana Bread Cinnamon Rolls are warm, fragrant, and easy to make — a cozy treat for mornings or dessert. They balance sweet banana flavor with a cinnamon-sugar swirl and offer room for simple variations like nuts, chocolate, or a cream cheese finish. For another take and visual inspiration, check out Banana Bread Cinnamon Rolls – Broma Bakery. Give them a try — they’re a welcoming, comforting bake that’s hard not to share.
Print
Banana Bread Cinnamon Rolls
- Total Time: 42 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Soft, swirled treats that combine the flavors of banana bread and cinnamon rolls, perfect for breakfast or dessert.
Ingredients
- 2 ripe bananas, mashed
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1/4 cup melted butter
- 2 eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 cup chopped nuts (optional)
- 1/2 cup cream cheese (for frosting, optional)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). In a large bowl, mix the mashed bananas, sugar, brown sugar, melted butter, eggs, and vanilla extract until well combined.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon. Gradually add this dry mixture to the banana mixture until just combined. If using, fold in the chopped nuts.
- Spread the dough on a floured surface and roll it out into a rectangle. Sprinkle with a cinnamon and brown sugar mixture (combine 1/4 cup brown sugar and 1 tablespoon cinnamon), then roll up tightly. Slice into rolls and place them in a greased baking dish. Bake for 20–25 minutes or until golden brown and a toothpick near the center comes out clean.
- If desired, beat softened cream cheese with a little powdered sugar and vanilla to make a simple frosting. Top the rolls after cooling slightly so the frosting spreads smoothly but still melts into crevices. Serve warm.
Notes
Best served warm. Optional cream cheese frosting adds a tangy finish, or dust with powdered sugar. Can be frozen for up to 2 months.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 22 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 roll
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 29g
- Sodium: 180mg
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 49g
- Fiber: 1.5g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 30mg
