Rise & Shine Banana Bread Cinnamon Rolls with Dreamy Cream Cheese Frosting
Wake up your taste buds with these incredibly delicious Rise & Shine Banana Bread Cinnamon Rolls! This recipe is the ultimate comfort food fusion, combining the warm, familiar flavors of banana bread with the sweet, spiced goodness of cinnamon rolls. Topped with a tangy and luscious cream cheese frosting, these rolls are guaranteed to be a hit at breakfast, brunch, or as a special dessert. This is a fantastic way to use those overripe bananas sitting on your counter, transforming them into a stunning and crowd-pleasing treat. Prepare for a symphony of flavors and textures that will leave you craving more of this banana bread cinnamon rolls recipe.
Why You’ll Love This Banana Bread Cinnamon Rolls Recipe
These aren’t your average cinnamon rolls. Here’s why you’ll be obsessed:
- The Perfect Mashup: Combines the best of both worlds – comforting banana bread and gooey cinnamon rolls.
- Uses Ripe Bananas: A delicious way to prevent food waste and enjoy a naturally sweet treat.
- Easy to Make: Simple instructions and readily available ingredients make this recipe approachable for bakers of all levels.
- Crowd-Pleasing: A guaranteed hit with family and friends.
- Dreamy Frosting: The tangy cream cheese frosting perfectly complements the sweet and spiced rolls.
Ingredients & Substitutions
Here’s a breakdown of the ingredients you’ll need and some helpful substitutions:
- All-Purpose Flour: Provides the structure for the rolls. For a slightly denser texture, you can substitute up to 1 cup with whole wheat flour.
- Baking Soda: Helps the rolls rise and become light and fluffy.
- Salt: Enhances the flavors of the other ingredients.
- Cinnamon & Nutmeg: Adds warm, comforting spices to the dough. Feel free to adjust the amounts to your liking.
- Ripe Bananas: The star of the show! The riper, the better, as they’ll be sweeter and easier to mash.
- Granulated & Brown Sugar: Adds sweetness and moisture. Light or dark brown sugar works well.
- Vegetable Oil: Keeps the rolls moist. You can also use melted coconut oil or canola oil.
- Eggs: Bind the ingredients together and add richness.
- Vanilla Extract: Enhances the overall flavor.
- Buttermilk: Adds tanginess and tenderness. If you don’t have buttermilk, you can make a substitute by adding 1 tablespoon of lemon juice or white vinegar to 1/2 cup of regular milk. Let it sit for 5 minutes before using.
- Unsalted Butter: Used in the filling and frosting for richness and flavor.
- Powdered Sugar: Creates a smooth and creamy frosting.
- Milk: Adjusts the consistency of the frosting.
How to Make Banana Bread Cinnamon Rolls
Follow these simple steps to create your own batch of irresistible banana bread cinnamon rolls:
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13 inch baking pan.
- In a large bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
- In a separate bowl, combine mashed bananas, granulated sugar, brown sugar, oil, eggs, and vanilla extract. Mix well.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, alternating with buttermilk, beginning and ending with dry ingredients. Mix until just combined.
- Turn dough out onto a lightly floured surface. Gently pat into a large rectangle, about 12×18 inches.
- Brush the rectangle with melted butter. In a small bowl, combine granulated sugar and cinnamon. Sprinkle evenly over the buttered dough.
- Starting at one long edge, tightly roll the dough into a log. Cut the log into 12 equal slices.
- Place the rolls in the prepared baking pan. Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until golden brown.
- While the rolls are baking, prepare the cream cheese frosting. In a large bowl, beat cream cheese and butter until smooth and creamy.
- Gradually add powdered sugar, beating until smooth. Stir in vanilla extract and milk until desired consistency is reached.
- Let the rolls cool slightly before frosting. Spread cream cheese frosting over warm rolls and serve immediately.
Tips for Success
Here are a few tips to ensure your banana bread cinnamon rolls turn out perfectly every time:
- Don’t Overmix: Overmixing the dough can result in tough rolls. Mix until just combined.
- Use Ripe Bananas: The riper the bananas, the sweeter and more flavorful your rolls will be.
- Tightly Roll the Dough: A tight roll will help prevent the filling from leaking out during baking.
- Don’t Overbake: Overbaking can dry out the rolls. Check for doneness around 25 minutes.
- Let Cool Slightly Before Frosting: Frosting warm rolls allows the frosting to melt slightly and seep into the crevices, adding extra flavor.
Serving Suggestions
These banana bread cinnamon rolls are delicious on their own, but here are a few serving suggestions to elevate your experience:
- Serve warm with a generous dollop of cream cheese frosting.
- Pair with a cup of coffee or tea.
- Add a sprinkle of chopped walnuts or pecans for extra crunch. For another delicious breakfast option, try this strawberry banana pudding recipe!
- Serve as a dessert after a light meal, like this strawberry banana pudding recipe from Cook Reel.
Storage & Reheating
Here’s how to properly store and reheat your banana bread cinnamon rolls:
- Storage: Store leftover rolls in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days or in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
- Reheating: Reheat in the microwave for 20-30 seconds, or in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for 5-10 minutes, until warmed through.
FAQ
Here are some frequently asked questions about making banana bread cinnamon rolls:
- Can I freeze these rolls? Yes, you can freeze the unbaked rolls or the baked and frosted rolls. Wrap them tightly in plastic wrap and then in foil. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before baking or serving.
- Can I make these rolls ahead of time? Yes, you can prepare the rolls up to the point of baking and store them in the refrigerator overnight. Let them come to room temperature for about 30 minutes before baking.
- Can I use a different type of frosting? Yes, if you’re not a fan of cream cheese frosting, you can use a simple vanilla glaze or a maple frosting.
- Can I add chocolate chips? Absolutely! Add 1/2 cup of chocolate chips to the batter for an extra decadent treat.
These Rise & Shine Banana Bread Cinnamon Rolls are a delightful twist on classic comfort food. With their warm, spiced flavors and dreamy cream cheese frosting, they’re sure to become a family favorite. So, gather your ingredients, preheat your oven, and get ready to experience the ultimate indulgence!
Rise & Shine Banana Bread Cinnamon Rolls with Dreamy Cream Cheese Frosting
Indulge in the ultimate comfort food mashup with these irresistible Banana Bread Cinnamon Rolls. We’ve taken the cozy flavors of homemade banana bread and swirled them into a delightful cinnamon roll, then topped them with a luscious cream cheese frosting. Each bite is a warm, gooey, and perfectly spiced treat that’s perfect for breakfast, brunch, or a special dessert. This recipe transforms overripe bananas into a stunning baked good, ensuring no fruit goes to waste. The cinnamon sugar filling adds a delightful warmth, while the cream cheese frosting provides the perfect tangy sweetness. Get ready to experience a symphony of flavors and textures that will leave you craving more. These easy-to-make rolls are sure to become a family favorite, offering a unique and exciting twist on classic comfort food that everyone will adore.
- Total Time: 55 minutes
- Yield: 12 rolls 1x
Ingredients
- 2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1 cup mashed ripe bananas (about 3 medium)
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup packed light brown sugar
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup buttermilk
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 2 tablespoons ground cinnamon
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
- 3 cups powdered sugar
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2-4 tablespoons milk
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13 inch baking pan.
- In a large bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
- In a separate bowl, combine mashed bananas, granulated sugar, brown sugar, oil, eggs, and vanilla extract. Mix well.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, alternating with buttermilk, beginning and ending with dry ingredients. Mix until just combined.
- Turn dough out onto a lightly floured surface. Gently pat into a large rectangle, about 12×18 inches.
- Brush the rectangle with melted butter. In a small bowl, combine granulated sugar and cinnamon. Sprinkle evenly over the buttered dough.
- Starting at one long edge, tightly roll the dough into a log. Cut the log into 12 equal slices.
- Place the rolls in the prepared baking pan. Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until golden brown.
- While the rolls are baking, prepare the cream cheese frosting. In a large bowl, beat cream cheese and butter until smooth and creamy.
- Gradually add powdered sugar, beating until smooth. Stir in vanilla extract and milk until desired consistency is reached.
- Let the rolls cool slightly before frosting. Spread cream cheese frosting over warm rolls and serve immediately.
Notes
For extra flavor, add chopped walnuts or pecans to the cinnamon sugar filling. Store leftover rolls in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days or in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Reheat before serving for the best texture.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Breakfast, Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 roll
- Calories: 380
- Sugar: 25g
- Sodium: 220mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 11g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0.5g
- Carbohydrates: 52g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 65mg