Banana Bread Cinnamon Rolls
Indulge in the perfect fusion of two classic treats: banana bread and cinnamon rolls. These soft, gooey Banana Bread Cinnamon Rolls combine the comforting flavors of ripe bananas with a warm cinnamon swirl, creating an irresistible breakfast or dessert that's sure to become a family favorite.
Ingredients
For the dough:
- 1 1/2 cups warm water
- 2 teaspoons active dry yeast
- 3 tablespoons sugar
- 4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1 large egg
- 1/2 cup mashed ripe bananas
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
For the filling:
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 2 tablespoons ground cinnamon
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1/2 cup mashed ripe bananas
For the glaze:
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoons milk
- 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Make the dough: In a large mixing bowl, combine the warm water, yeast, and sugar. Let it sit for 5-10 minutes, until the yeast is activated and foamy.
- Add dry ingredients: Add the flour, salt, and melted butter to the bowl. Mix until a shaggy dough forms.
- Add egg and bananas: Add the egg, mashed bananas, and vanilla extract to the bowl. Mix until the dough comes together in a sticky ball.
- Knead the dough: Knead the dough on a floured surface for 10-12 minutes, until it becomes smooth and elastic.
- Let it rise: Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover it with plastic wrap, and let it rise in a warm place for 1 hour, until it has doubled in size.
- Prepare the filling: In a small bowl, mix together the granulated sugar, cinnamon, and softened butter until well combined. Stir in the mashed bananas.
- Roll out the dough: Roll out the dough on a floured surface to a 1/4-inch thickness.
- Spread the filling: Spread the filling evenly over the dough, leaving a 1-inch border around the edges.
- Roll the dough: Roll the dough into a tight log, starting from the long side. Cut the log into 12-15 equal pieces.
- Let it rise again: Place the rolls on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, leaving about 1 inch of space between each roll. Cover with plastic wrap and let it rise for another 30-40 minutes, until it has puffed up slightly.
- Bake: Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Bake the rolls for 18-20 minutes, until golden brown.
- Glaze: In a small bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract. Drizzle the glaze over the warm rolls.
Notes
Tips and Variations:
- Use ripe bananas: The riper the bananas, the sweeter and more flavorful the rolls will be.
- Add nuts or chocolate chips: Stir in some chopped nuts or chocolate chips into the filling for added texture and flavor.
- Use different spices: Try using different spices, such as nutmeg or cardamom, to give the rolls a unique flavor.
- Make it a breakfast treat: Top the rolls with a crumbly oat and brown sugar topping, or a dollop of whipped cream, for a delicious breakfast treat.
- Walnut Banana Bread Cinnamon Rolls: Add 1/2 cup of chopped walnuts to the filling for added texture and flavor.
- Chocolate Chip Banana Bread Cinnamon Rolls: Stir in 1/2 cup of chocolate chips into the filling for a sweet and indulgent treat.
- Pecan Banana Bread Cinnamon Rolls: Add 1/2 cup of chopped pecans to the filling for a delicious and nutty flavor.