Delightful Banana Cinnamon Buns

As seen in From Bread to Pastries: Baking Essentials.

These buns mix mashed bananas into soft dough for a cozy, tender bite. The filling blends butter, cinnamon, and brown sugar for a sweet touch while walnuts add crunch if you like. Bake until golden and spread thick cream cheese frosting on top. They're perfect for breakfast or any time you want a sweet bite.

Barbara Chef
Created By Sasha
Last updated on Fri, 08 Aug 2025 20:46:27 GMT
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Banana Cinnamon Buns | foodthingle.com

Here’s a tasty mashup of two morning favorites. Soft dough flavored with bananas is rolled up with a sweet cinnamon sugar filling. When they bake, they come out golden and smelling amazing. They taste like a mix of banana bread and cinnamon rolls, but somehow even better.

I made these after running out of ways to use overly ripe bananas and got bored of regular banana bread. My family was skeptical at first, but now these are a Sunday must-have. Everyone waits around for them to finish baking.

Delicious Ingredients

  • Dough Stuff:
  • Warm milk, 1 cup: Heat it to about 110°F so it wakes up the yeast without killing it.
  • Active dry yeast, 2 1/4 teaspoons: This is one packet and makes the dough rise nice and fluffy.
  • Granulated sugar, 1/2 cup: Feeds the yeast and adds a sweet touch that goes great with banana.
  • Unsalted melted butter, 1/2 cup: Adds richness. Using unsalted helps you control the saltiness.
  • Large eggs, 2: Bring to room temperature first. They make the dough richer and hold it together.
  • Salt, 1 teaspoon: Boosts flavor and keeps the dough from tasting flat.
  • All-purpose flour, 4 cups: This holds everything together. Unbleached is best if you can get it.
  • Mashed banana, 1 cup: Use 2 to 3 really ripe bananas with brown spots for the best taste.
  • Filling Mix:
  • Soft unsalted butter, 1/2 cup: Spreadable and ready to mix in easily.
  • Brown sugar, 1 cup: Dark sugar gives more flavor but light works fine too.
  • Cinnamon, ground, 2 tablespoons: Freshly ground is best for strong flavor.
  • Chopped walnuts, 1/2 cup: Optional but adds crunch and nuttiness.
  • Sweet Icing:
  • Cream cheese, 4 oz: Soften it to get smooth, tangy frosting.
  • Unsalted butter, 1/4 cup: Soft for creamy icing.
  • Powdered sugar, 1 1/2 cups: Sweetens and thickens the frosting.
  • Vanilla extract, 1/2 teaspoon: Pure vanilla works best for extra flavor.

Easy Steps to Follow

Spread the Icing and Eat:
Mix cream cheese, butter, powdered sugar, and vanilla until fluffy. Spread over warm rolls—they aren’t hot so the icing melts just a bit. Eat right away—they’re best fresh.
Put in the Oven:
Pop your pan in a preheated oven at 350°F and bake for 25 to 30 minutes until golden on top. You can check with a thermometer and aim for 190°F inside. The rolls will puff up and snuggle together.
Second Rise Wait:
Place sliced rolls in a buttered 9x13 pan with some space between each, cut side up. Cover and let rest for 30 minutes to puff up. Use this time to get your oven ready.
Roll and Cut:
Roll dough tightly from the long cinnamon side to the other. Press the edge to seal. Slice into 12 pieces about 1.5 inches thick using a sharp knife or dental floss.
Roll Out and Add Filling:
After letting dough rise the first time, punch it down. Roll out on a floured surface into a 20×14 inch rectangle. Spread your cinnamon mix all over but leave a half-inch strip on one side empty. Sprinkle walnuts if you want.
Make Filling:
While dough rises, mix soft butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon together until smooth. Keep it spreadable on the counter but don’t let butter melt.
Let Dough Rise First:
Put your kneaded dough in a greased bowl, turn it over to coat all sides, then cover with a towel or plastic wrap. Let it sit somewhere warm and draft-free for about an hour until it nearly doubles.
Kneading Time:
Add flour gradually to your banana mix, a cup at a time, stirring as you go. It looks messy at first, but soon it’ll come together. When dough pulls from the bowl, put it on a floured surface and knead for about 10 minutes until smooth and springy.
Mix Bananas In:
Pour melted butter, eggs, salt, and mashed banana into your bubbly yeast mix. Mix well with no big chunks left. This way the dough gets packed with flavor.
Wake Up the Yeast:
Put warm milk in a bowl, stir in yeast and sugar gently. Let it sit for 5 minutes until frothy and bubbly. When you see foam, the yeast is ready.
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Banana Bread Cinnamon Rolls | foodthingle.com

The bananas are what really make these special. I once got greedy and added too many, and that’s when I realized these rolls could be super soft and flavorful. Now I always save a few super ripe bananas just for making these.

Common Recipe Questions

→ Can I prepare these rolls earlier?

Absolutely! Shape them the night before, cover, and chill. When you're ready, let them warm and puff up before baking.

→ Is instant yeast okay instead of active dry yeast?

Yes! Just mix instant yeast right with the dry ingredients—skip warming the milk.

→ What about making these rolls vegan?

Swap milk, butter, and cream cheese frosting for plant-based options and you're all set—completely dairy-free.

→ Can whole wheat flour be used instead of regular flour?

Sure! Whole wheat will make them a little denser. Try mixing half whole wheat and half white flour for lighter rolls.

→ What's the best way to keep leftover rolls?

Keep extras in an airtight container on the counter for up to two days or in the fridge for a week. Reheat in the microwave for 15-20 seconds to make them fresh again.

Banana Cinnamon Buns

Light banana rolls filled with cinnamon and topped with creamy frosting.

Preparation Time
120 Minutes
Cooking Time
30 Minutes
Overall Time
150 Minutes
Created By: Sasha

Recipe Type: Baking

Skill Level: Moderate

Regional Style: American

Output: 12 Number of Servings

Special Diets: Meat-Free

What You'll Need

→ Filling

01 Softened butter about half a cup mixed with 2 tablespoons cinnamon and a cup of brown sugar
02 Chopped walnuts half a cup if you want some crunch

→ Icing

03 Half a teaspoon vanilla
04 Four ounces cream cheese left out until it's soft
05 One and a half cups powdered sugar
06 Quarter cup softened unsalted butter

→ Dough

07 A cup of warm milk
08 Two large eggs
09 A teaspoon salt
10 Two and a quarter teaspoons dry yeast that’s active
11 One cup mashed bananas, about 2 or 3 medium ones
12 Half a cup melted unsalted butter
13 Half a cup sugar
14 Four cups all-purpose flour

Steps to Follow

Step 01

Stir together the mashed bananas, eggs, melted butter, salt, and yeast mix until it’s all blended well.

Step 02

In a big bowl, pour warm milk, yeast, and sugar. Wait about 5 minutes till it gets foamy on top.

Step 03

Slowly add flour while stirring so the dough starts sticking together. Move it to a floured counter and knead it for 10 minutes by hand.

Step 04

Put your dough in a greased bowl, cover it, and set it somewhere warm for around an hour. It should double in size.

Step 05

Mix brown sugar, softened butter, and cinnamon until it’s easy to spread.

Step 06

On a floured surface, roll the dough flat into a rectangle about 20 by 14 inches. Spread the filling evenly, then sprinkle walnuts if you want.

Step 07

Roll the dough up tight from the long side, then slice it into 12 pieces. Put them in a greased pan with the cut sides facing up.

Step 08

Cover your pan and let the dough rise again for half an hour while you heat the oven to 350°F (175°C).

Step 09

Pop the pan in the oven and bake for 25 to 30 minutes until golden and just a bit crisp on top.

Step 10

Throw cream cheese, softened butter, powdered sugar, and vanilla into a bowl. Beat it all together until smooth and creamy. Spread the frosting on warm buns.

Essential Tools

  • Measuring cups and spoons
  • Mixing bowls
  • Baking pan
  • Rolling pin
  • Hand mixer (optional, great for icing)

Allergen Information

Always verify ingredient labels for allergens and consult with a healthcare expert if unsure.
  • Contains dairy
  • Has eggs
  • Gluten inside
  • Nuts if you add walnuts

Nutrition Info (Per Serving)

These details are best used as an estimate and shouldn't replace professional health advice.
  • Calories: 310
  • Fat Content: 12 g
  • Carbohydrates: 45 g
  • Protein: 5 g