Home · Recipes Banana Cinnamon Rolls Author: Maryanne CabreraPublished: Aug 26, 2011Updated: Oct 16, 2023 View Recipe10 ReviewsThis post may contain affiliate links. Read our disclosure policy. More over banana bread. We have a new favorite banana recipe: banana cinnamon rolls! What do you do when you have overripe bananas sitting on the kitchen counter? If you’re like me, you end up making the usual, same old banana bread. Well, I’ve had enough and I want to break that habit. I usually reserve cinnamon rolls for the colder autumn and winter months. I love making them using a buttery and soft brioche dough. However, all that fat and sugar is not good for the summer. I can’t get away wearing cute sweaters and blazers during this 90 degree weather. These banana cinnamon rolls are made with a leaner dough, giving you a little freedom to eat a couple and still manage to wear that bikini. (well, that’s what I tell myself) Banana Cinnamon Rolls The dough is airy and fluffy. Allowing the dough to rest in the refrigerator slows down the rising, creating a more delicate and even texture in the rolls. Sometimes, doughs that are allowed to proof too fast (because they are placed in too warm of an environment) don’t have the necessary time to develop its structure and flavors. I used regular mashed bananas, but if you’re feeling adventurous, I suggest roasting, caramelizing, or even flambe-ing the bananas with a little rum. The ripe bananas provide a nice rounded sweetness that you can’t attain from plain sugar. Plus, bananas work so well with cinnamon. This is a great recipe to make on one those less exciting Saturday nights when you decide to stay in. You’ll wake up whoever you’re living with to an intoxicating delicious aroma come Sunday morning. It might be a little tricky to roll up because of the filling, but take whatever goo that spills out and smear on top I prefer baking these in a quarter sheet pan with extenders, but you can easily use a 13×9 in baking pan. Banana Cinnamon Rolls with Cream Cheese Glaze Yield: makes 12 rolls Print Recipe Rate Recipe Ingredients2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour1/2 cup cake flour1 Tablespoon active dry yeast1/3 cup granulated sugar1/4 cup dry buttermilk powder1 teaspoon fine sea salt1 cup warm water, about 110 degrees F5 Tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into small cubes, room temperatureBanana Cinnamon Sugar Filling:2 ripe bananas, mashed1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened, room temperature1/4 cup granulated sugar1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon1/2 teaspoon instant espresso powderCream Cheese Glaze:4 oz cream cheese, softened4 oz unsalted butter, room temperature1 cup powdered sugar1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract Instructions Combine 1 cup of the all purpose flour, all the cake flour, yeast, granulated sugar and buttermilk powder in a stand mixer with the paddle attachment. Add the warm water and beat on medium speed for one minute. In a small bowl, whisk together remaining all purpose flour with the salt.Add the butter one piece at a time to the stand mixer. Add 1 cup of the remaining flour mixture and continue to mix for one minute.Switch to a dough hook attachment. Add in the remaining flour a little bit at a time, until the dough pulls away from the sides of the bowl. Knead on med-low until the dough is soft, smooth and springs back to touch.Transfer dough to a lightly greased bowl. Cover with plastic wrap and let rise at room temperature for about an hour, or until almost doubled in size.Turn out the dough into a lightly floured surface. Roll dough to a 15 x 10 inch rectangle.To making filling: Mix together soft butter and mashed bananas. Spread evenly over dough. Whisk together sugar, cinnamon, and espresso powder. Sprinkle evenly over dough.Starting with 10 inch side, roll up tightly, pressing the edges to seal. Cut into 12 equal slices and place in a greased 13 x 9 inch pan. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight.Let sit at room temperature 20-30 minutes before baking. Place the rolls in a cold oven and turn the heat to 350 degrees F. Bake until golden brown, about 20-30 minutes.To make glaze: Cream together cream cheese and butter. Add powdered sugar and vanilla. Mix until smooth. Spread over warm banana cinnamon rolls. Put remaining glaze in airtight container and keep refrigerated. Notes Dough recipe adapted from The Williams-Sonoma Baking Book (Jelly Gem Breakfast Rolls) Leftover rolls should be placed in the fridge. Pop them in the microwave for 30 seconds and they’re as good as fresh. Did you make this recipe?Show us on Instagram! Tag @littleepicurean and hashtag #littleepicurean. Leftover rolls should be placed in the fridge. Pop them in the microwave for 30 seconds and they’re as good as fresh.
Ellen says: February 7, 2014 I’ve made these once (but with just a pecan, sugar and raisin filling instead of banana) and I’m thinking about making them again tonight so we can have them for breakfast tomorrow. But now I will follow your recipe and make them with bananas. Already looking forward to breakfast tomorrow ;-) Reply
Maryanne Cabrera says: February 7, 2014 YUM! Make sure to use super ripe bananas :) Can I come over for breakfast?!
Ellen says: February 7, 2014 Sure! You’re more than welcome! ;-) I see someone ate one of my two super ripe bananas that was on the fruit stand :( LOL! But there must be a way to take a normal ripe banana and turn it into a super-ripe one. I’ve read about that once. Let’s see if I can find it! Otherwise I have to come up with something or just use 1 banana…
Donna says: December 2, 2017 I don’t drink and I am vegan but I live how beautiful you make your food. Much of it I can adapt for my families use. TY for you sharing your talent! Reply
Hannah says: May 23, 2018 I just made these last night, and they turned out amazing!!! The dough is so soft and fluffy – i think this will be my new go-to cinnamon roll dough! I didn’t have any buttermilk powder on hand so I used regular milk powder, and it turned out okay! I must admit that nearly half of the filling spilled out when I cut the rolls, but i just spread it back on top of the dough. However, next time I make these I will half the frosting recipe, because it truly makes a ton! Reply
Maryanne Cabrera says: May 23, 2018 Thanks for trying out the recipe! Yes, it’s a little tricking rolling these rolls because the banana filling is quite slippery! I usually just scoop up whatever falls out and plop it on top before baking :)
SF says: December 23, 2018 Where do you get buttermilk powder and what are extenders for pans? Where do you get them? Reply
Maryanne Cabrera says: December 28, 2018 Buttermilk powder can be found in the baking section of most grocery stores (supermarkets). Pan extenders turn sheet pans into baking dishes (similar to a casserole pan). Pan extenders can be purchased online on Amazon or baking supply stores.