Banana Bread Cinnamon Rolls: A Delicious Twist on a Classic Treat Recipe
Introduction
Banana Bread Cinnamon Rolls combine the comforting flavors of classic banana bread with the gooey sweetness of cinnamon rolls. This unique twist creates a soft, flavorful treat perfect for breakfast or an indulgent snack.

Ingredients
- 2 ripe bananas, mashed
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup brown sugar, packed
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed (for filling)
- 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened (for filling)
- 4 oz cream cheese, softened (for frosting)
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar (for frosting)
- 1 tablespoon milk (or more for desired consistency)
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract (for frosting)
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Step 2: In a large mixing bowl, combine the mashed bananas, granulated sugar, and brown sugar. Mix until well combined.
- Step 3: Add the melted butter to the banana mixture and stir until fully incorporated.
- Step 4: Crack in the egg and pour in the vanilla extract. Mix until the egg is fully blended.
- Step 5: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
- Step 6: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, stirring gently until just combined. Avoid overmixing.
- Step 7: In a small bowl, combine the packed brown sugar and ground cinnamon. Mix well.
- Step 8: Spread the softened butter evenly over the surface of the dough.
- Step 9: Sprinkle the cinnamon-sugar mixture evenly over the buttered dough.
- Step 10: Roll the dough into a tight log from one end, keeping the filling inside.
- Step 11: Cut the log into 1-inch thick slices using a sharp knife or dental floss.
- Step 12: Place the sliced rolls into a greased 9×13 inch baking dish, leaving space between each roll.
- Step 13: Cover the baking dish with a clean kitchen towel and let the rolls rise in a warm place for about 30 minutes.
- Step 14: Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until golden brown and a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
- Step 15: Let the rolls cool in the pan for about 10 minutes.
- Step 16: In a medium bowl, beat the softened cream cheese until smooth.
- Step 17: Gradually add the powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract, mixing until you reach your desired consistency.
- Step 18: Spread the cream cheese frosting generously over the warm cinnamon rolls before serving.
Tips & Variations
- For an extra nutty crunch, sprinkle finely chopped walnuts or pecans over the cinnamon-sugar filling before rolling.
- If you prefer a sweeter roll, increase the cinnamon-sugar filling quantity or drizzle additional frosting after baking.
- Use dental floss to slice the rolls evenly without squishing the dough.
- Substitute cream cheese frosting with a simple glaze made from powdered sugar and orange juice for a citrus twist.
Storage
Store the banana bread cinnamon rolls in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. For longer storage, refrigerate for up to 5 days or freeze for up to 2 months. Reheat gently in the microwave or oven before serving to restore softness.
How to Serve
Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.
FAQs
Can I use frozen bananas for this recipe?
Yes, frozen bananas work well. Thaw and mash them thoroughly before mixing to achieve the best texture.
How do I keep the rolls soft after baking?
Make sure not to overbake, and store the rolls in an airtight container while still slightly warm. Reheating with a damp paper towel can help maintain moisture.
PrintBanana Bread Cinnamon Rolls: A Delicious Twist on a Classic Treat Recipe
Banana Bread Cinnamon Rolls combine the moist, sweet flavor of ripe bananas with the warm, spicy touch of cinnamon sugar rolled into soft, fluffy cinnamon rolls. Finished with a creamy cream cheese glaze, this delightful twist on a classic treat is perfect for breakfast or dessert, offering a unique blend of banana bread and cinnamon roll textures and tastes.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 12 cinnamon rolls 1x
- Category: Breakfast, Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Dough
- 2 ripe bananas, mashed
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup brown sugar, packed
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Filling
- 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
- 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
Cream Cheese Glaze
- 4 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 1 tablespoon milk (or more for desired consistency)
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) to prepare for baking the cinnamon rolls.
- Mix Wet Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the mashed bananas, granulated sugar, and brown sugar. Mix until well combined, forming a smooth mixture.
- Add Butter: Stir in the melted butter until fully incorporated with the banana and sugar mixture.
- Add Egg and Vanilla: Crack in the egg and pour in the vanilla extract. Mix everything until the egg is fully blended in.
- Prepare Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt to evenly distribute the leavening agents.
- Combine Wet and Dry: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet banana mixture, stirring gently until just combined. Avoid overmixing to keep the dough tender.
- Make Cinnamon Sugar Filling: In a small bowl, mix the packed brown sugar and ground cinnamon thoroughly.
- Spread Butter on Dough: Evenly spread the softened butter over the surface of the dough to help the filling stick and add richness.
- Sprinkle Cinnamon Sugar: Sprinkle the cinnamon-sugar mixture evenly over the buttered dough to create the flavorful filling.
- Roll Dough: Roll the dough into a tight log from one end, making sure to keep the filling inside.
- Slice Rolls: Cut the log into 1-inch thick slices using a sharp knife or dental floss for clean edges.
- Arrange Rolls: Place the sliced rolls into a greased 9×13 inch baking dish, leaving space between each roll for rising.
- Let Rolls Rise: Cover the baking dish with a clean kitchen towel and let the rolls rise in a warm place for about 30 minutes to become fluffy.
- Bake Rolls: Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until the rolls are golden brown and a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
- Cool Rolls: Let the rolls cool in the pan for about 10 minutes to prepare for glazing.
- Prepare Cream Cheese Glaze: In a medium bowl, beat the softened cream cheese until smooth. Gradually add the powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract, mixing until you reach your desired glaze consistency.
Notes
- For best results, use very ripe bananas for maximum natural sweetness and moisture.
- Do not overmix the dough to keep the rolls soft and tender.
- Use cream cheese and butter at room temperature to ensure smooth mixing.
- If rolls brown too quickly, tent loosely with foil during baking.
- The glaze can be thinned or thickened with additional milk or powdered sugar to your liking.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days or refrigerate for up to 5 days.
- Reheat rolls gently in the microwave before serving to restore softness.
Keywords: banana bread cinnamon rolls, cinnamon rolls, banana bread recipe, breakfast rolls, cream cheese glaze, cinnamon sugar rolls

