Banana Cinnamon Rolls with Cream Cheese Glaze (Printable)
Soft, pillowy rolls filled with ripe banana and fragrant cinnamon, topped with luscious cream cheese glaze for a decadent breakfast or dessert treat.
# What You Need:
→ Dough
01 - 3 ½ cups all-purpose flour
02 - ¼ cup granulated sugar
03 - 2 ¼ tsp active dry yeast (1 packet)
04 - ½ tsp salt
05 - ¾ cup warm milk
06 - ¼ cup unsalted butter, melted
07 - 2 large eggs
08 - 1 ripe banana, mashed
→ Filling
09 - ⅓ cup unsalted butter, softened
10 - ½ cup brown sugar
11 - 1 tbsp ground cinnamon
12 - 1 large banana, thinly sliced
→ Cream Cheese Glaze
13 - 4 oz cream cheese, softened
14 - 2 tbsp unsalted butter, softened
15 - 1 cup powdered sugar
16 - 1–2 tbsp milk
17 - ½ tsp vanilla extract
# How-To:
01 - Whisk together warm milk, sugar, and yeast in a large bowl. Let stand for 5 minutes until the mixture becomes foamy, indicating the yeast is active.
02 - Add melted butter, mashed banana, eggs, and salt to the yeast mixture. Stir thoroughly to combine. Gradually incorporate flour, mixing until a soft, cohesive dough forms.
03 - Turn dough onto a lightly floured surface and knead for 6–8 minutes until smooth and elastic. Transfer to a greased bowl, cover with plastic wrap or a clean towel, and let rise in a warm place until doubled in volume, approximately 1 hour.
04 - Punch down the risen dough and roll out into a 16×12-inch rectangle. Spread softened butter evenly over the surface, then sprinkle with brown sugar and cinnamon. Arrange banana slices in an even layer across the dough.
05 - Starting from one long edge, roll the dough tightly into a log. Using a sharp knife or bench scraper, cut the log into 12 equal rolls.
06 - Place rolls cut-side up in a greased 9×13-inch baking dish. Cover loosely and let rise for 30 minutes until puffy.
07 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Bake rolls for 22–25 minutes until golden brown and cooked through.
08 - Beat cream cheese and butter until smooth and creamy. Incorporate powdered sugar and vanilla extract, then add milk 1 tablespoon at a time until reaching a pourable consistency.
09 - Drizzle the prepared cream cheese glaze generously over warm rolls. Serve immediately while still warm for the best texture and flavor.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- The mashed banana in the dough makes these incredibly tender and adds natural sweetness you cant get from sugar alone
- That cream cheese glaze transforms a great breakfast into an unforgettable treat that people beg for
02 -
- Cold ingredients will slow down your yeast—if your kitchen is drafty, find the warmest spot in your house for rising
- Overfilled rolls will burst open in the oven, so resist the urge to add extra filling even though it looks amazing
03 -
- Use very ripe bananas with lots of brown spots—theyre sweeter and mash more easily into the dough
- For extra crunch, sprinkle chopped pecans or walnuts over the filling before rolling