There’s something incredibly cozy and comforting about combining two classic favorites—banana bread and cinnamon rolls—into one indulgent treat. These Banana Bread Cinnamon Rolls are ultra-soft, filled with a warm banana-cinnamon swirl, and slathered in a velvety cream cheese glaze that melts into every roll.
Perfect for weekend brunches, special breakfasts, or a midweek baking pick-me-up, these rolls bring all the sweetness of ripe bananas with the nostalgia of traditional cinnamon buns. They’re proof that a little twist on a classic can make all the difference—and once you try them, you’ll want them on repeat.
Full Recipe
Ingredients:
For the Dough:
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1 cup warm milk (110°F)
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2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast
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1/2 cup granulated sugar
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1/3 cup unsalted butter, melted
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1 mashed ripe banana
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2 large eggs
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4 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
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1 teaspoon salt
For the Filling:
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1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
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1 cup brown sugar
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2 tablespoons ground cinnamon
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1 mashed ripe banana
For the Cream Cheese Glaze:
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4 oz cream cheese, softened
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1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
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1 cup powdered sugar
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1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
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2 tablespoons milk (as needed for consistency)
Directions:
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In a large mixing bowl, combine warm milk and yeast. Let sit for 5–10 minutes until foamy.
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Add sugar, melted butter, mashed banana, and eggs. Stir until well combined.
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Gradually add in flour and salt. Knead by hand or with a dough hook for about 8–10 minutes until the dough is soft and elastic.
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Transfer to a greased bowl, cover with plastic wrap, and let rise in a warm place until doubled in size, about 1–1.5 hours.
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Meanwhile, mix together softened butter, brown sugar, cinnamon, and mashed banana for the filling. Set aside.
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Once risen, roll dough out on a floured surface into a 16×12-inch rectangle.
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Spread filling evenly over the dough. Starting from the long edge, roll up tightly into a log. Cut into 12 rolls.
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Place rolls into a greased 9×13-inch baking dish. Cover and let rise again for 30–45 minutes.
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Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake rolls for 25–30 minutes, or until golden brown.
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While rolls bake, beat cream cheese and butter until creamy. Add powdered sugar, vanilla, and milk, mixing until smooth.
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Drizzle glaze over warm rolls and serve.
Prep Time: 25 minutes | Cooking Time: 30 minutes | Total Time: 2 hours 30 minutes
Kcal: 390 kcal | Servings: 12 rolls
The Ultimate Banana Bread Cinnamon Rolls Guide
Banana Bread Cinnamon Rolls are one of those recipes that seamlessly marry comfort and indulgence. It brings together the soft, moist texture and fruity sweetness of classic banana bread with the gooey, spiced swirls of a traditional cinnamon roll. If you’re a fan of either banana bread or cinnamon rolls—or better yet, both—this recipe is the perfect baking project to satisfy your cravings. It’s a crowd-pleasing hybrid that turns any ordinary morning into a bakery-worthy experience. In this comprehensive breakdown, we’ll explore the flavor profile, texture, variations, storage tips, and what makes these rolls truly special. Whether you’re a home baker or just looking to impress brunch guests, this is a must-add to your baking rotation.
The Flavor Profile: Sweet, Warm, and Comforting
What makes Banana Bread Cinnamon Rolls so delightful is the combination of flavors that complement each other naturally. Ripe bananas bring a mellow sweetness and a hint of tropical depth that enhances the richness of the dough. The cinnamon filling, with its warmth and spicy aroma, pairs beautifully with the banana base, creating a comforting, cozy bite that tastes like home.
Adding brown sugar into the filling deepens the flavor, offering caramel-like undertones, while the cream cheese glaze on top adds a tangy contrast that balances out the sweetness. This isn’t just a sugary roll—it’s a multi-dimensional taste experience.
Texture: A Cross Between Cake and Bread
One of the standout elements of these cinnamon rolls is their unique texture. Thanks to the banana in the dough, the rolls are incredibly soft and moist—almost like banana bread—but they still maintain that slight chew and structure you expect from a well-kneaded yeast dough.
They don’t dry out as quickly as regular cinnamon rolls, which makes them an excellent choice for making ahead or enjoying over a couple of days. The centers remain gooey, the edges bake up slightly crisp, and the glaze sinks into every crevice. If you’ve ever had a cinnamon roll that was too dry or stiff, this recipe will change the game for you.
The Role of Ripe Bananas in the Dough
Ripe bananas are more than just a flavor booster here—they also serve as a textural and moisture enhancer. Bananas naturally add softness and a bit of natural sugar, which improves browning and creates a tender crumb in the dough.
As a bonus, using bananas is a great way to reduce food waste. Instead of tossing those overripe bananas sitting on the counter, you can transform them into something magical. The more speckled the banana, the better it will be for this recipe, as it will bring maximum sweetness and flavor.
Why This Recipe Works So Well
This recipe is carefully crafted to deliver both consistency and bakery-level quality at home. It starts with a rich, enriched dough made with butter, eggs, milk, and banana. That combination creates a silky dough that’s easy to work with and delivers amazing results.
The cinnamon-sugar filling is boosted with a mashed banana, adding not just flavor but a slight caramelization when baked. It’s a smart way to amplify the banana profile without overpowering the roll. The cream cheese glaze brings it all together with a tangy-sweet finish, balancing the sweetness and making the rolls irresistible.
Perfect for Brunch, Holidays, or Meal Prep
Banana Bread Cinnamon Rolls are the kind of recipe that feels luxurious enough for holidays like Easter morning, Christmas brunch, or Mother’s Day, but they’re also simple enough to make on a relaxing weekend.
Because the dough can be made ahead and the rolls can be prepped the night before, it’s a fantastic option for entertaining or meal prepping. Just refrigerate the unbaked rolls overnight and bake them fresh in the morning. They also freeze beautifully, so you can enjoy a homemade treat anytime the craving strikes.
Customization Ideas and Variations
One of the great things about this recipe is how easy it is to customize. Want a nutty crunch? Add chopped pecans or walnuts to the filling. Want more texture or depth? Mix in mini chocolate chips or a swirl of peanut butter.
If you’re dairy-free, you can swap the milk and butter for plant-based alternatives, and even use a vegan cream cheese for the glaze. Gluten-free bakers can try using a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend—just be sure to check for yeast activation and dough elasticity.
You could even turn these into a dessert by topping with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and an extra drizzle of caramel or maple syrup.
Tips for Success
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Use very ripe bananas: The darker and spottier, the better. They should be soft and fragrant.
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Don’t skip the rise times: Letting the dough rise fully is key to getting that fluffy, airy texture.
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Room temperature ingredients: This helps the dough combine evenly and rise more consistently.
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Bake in a glass or ceramic dish: It provides more even heat distribution than metal pans.
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Let the rolls cool slightly before glazing: If they’re too hot, the glaze will melt completely and run off.
How to Store and Reheat
Banana Bread Cinnamon Rolls store incredibly well. Once cooled, you can keep them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days, or refrigerate them for up to 5 days.
To freeze, wrap each roll individually in plastic wrap and place in a freezer-safe bag. They’ll keep for about 2–3 months. To reheat, microwave a roll for about 20–30 seconds, or pop it in a 300°F oven for 10 minutes until warm and soft again. Add a little extra glaze if desired.
Healthier Alternatives
If you’re looking for a lighter take, there are a few tweaks you can make without sacrificing flavor:
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Use whole wheat flour for part of the all-purpose flour.
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Cut back slightly on sugar in the dough or glaze.
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Substitute Greek yogurt for some of the butter in the dough or filling.
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Use a reduced-fat cream cheese or skip the glaze entirely for a more breakfast-appropriate treat.
These changes won’t completely transform the rolls into “health food,” but they can help you feel a little better about indulging.
Conclusion: Why You’ll Love Banana Bread Cinnamon Rolls
Banana Bread Cinnamon Rolls are everything you want in a homemade treat: they’re soft, sweet, gooey, and bursting with banana flavor. They combine the nostalgia of your favorite childhood banana bread with the irresistible pull of a warm cinnamon roll straight from the oven.
They’re forgiving for beginners and customizable for experienced bakers. Whether you enjoy them fresh out of the oven, save a few in the freezer for future cravings, or prep them for a weekend brunch, they deliver every time.
This recipe is more than a fun twist on two classics—it’s a new tradition waiting to happen. You’ll love the way it makes your kitchen smell, how it brings people together, and how satisfying it is to make something so bakery-worthy from scratch. Once you try it, Banana Bread Cinnamon Rolls might just become your new go-to comfort bake.