Irresistible Banana Cinnamon Rolls with Decadent Peanut Butter Frosting

Imagine your favorite banana bread transformed into the most luscious, warm, and gooey cinnamon rolls you’ve ever tasted. That’s exactly what you get with these extraordinary **Banana Cinnamon Rolls with Peanut Butter Frosting**. Each roll features a soft, fluffy, yeasted dough infused with the sweet essence of ripe bananas, generously swirled with a rich cinnamon-sugar filling and extra slices of fresh banana. Baked to perfection in a bath of heavy cream, these rolls emerge from the oven incredibly tender and moist. To top it all off, they’re crowned with a dreamy, tangy, and sweet peanut butter cream cheese frosting that elevates them to an unparalleled breakfast or dessert experience.

This unique take on classic cinnamon rolls offers an unforgettable symphony of flavors and textures – fluffy, supremely gooey, perfectly sweet, and boasting a delightful tangy finish from the frosting. They are truly the ultimate morning treat, best enjoyed warm, straight from the oven, filling your home with an aroma that’s simply divine.

While I adore traditional cinnamon buns, these banana bread cinnamon rolls take the beloved classic to an entirely new level of indulgence! They retain all the comforting elements of a timeless sweet roll – golden-brown, tender dough edges, a fragrant cinnamon-sugar mixture, and a rich cream cheese icing. However, we’ve amplified the experience by incorporating the universally loved flavor combination of peanut butter and banana. Every bite of these sweet rolls delivers a burst of authentic banana flavor, perfectly complemented by the creamy, nutty notes of the peanut butter frosting. These are an absolute must-try for any baking enthusiast or sweet tooth, and the recipe is versatile enough that you could even transform them into charming mini cinnamon rolls.

The secret to the exceptionally rich flavor and wonderfully fluffy texture of our dough lies in using a brioche-style base. This enriched dough is a staple in many exquisite breakfast and dessert recipes. Its buttery tenderness makes it ideal for treats like bread pudding, decadent French toast, irresistible homemade donuts, and the intricate layers of babka. We even adapted a similar dough for our unique savory breakfast rolls!

Why You’ll Fall in Love with This Banana Cinnamon Roll Recipe

Preparing homemade cinnamon rolls can sometimes feel like an undertaking, but the rewards are always worth it. This recipe, in particular, delivers on all fronts, making it a new favorite for many. Here’s why these banana cinnamon rolls will quickly become a cherished part of your baking repertoire:

Embrace the Ultimate Banana Bread Flavor

These aren’t just cinnamon rolls with a hint of banana; they are a celebration of rich, comforting banana bread flavor! We achieve this by incorporating mashed ripe bananas directly into the tender brioche-style dough. Beyond that, generous slices of ripe bananas are layered into the cinnamon-sugar filling, ensuring a double dose of sweet, fruity goodness in every bite. For the most profound and authentic banana bread taste, always opt for very ripe bananas – the ones with plenty of brown spots are ideal as they offer the sweetest, most intense flavor.

Experience Unrivaled Gooey Perfection

For many, the hallmark of the absolute best cinnamon roll is its incredible gooeyness, and this recipe delivers it in spades. Our rolls boast a wonderfully fluffy dough, but their true magic lies in the deeply gooey center created by the generous cinnamon-sugar filling. The addition of fresh banana slices within the filling naturally enhances this moist and tender texture, creating pockets of soft, melted fruit. To complete this gooey masterpiece, our signature peanut butter cream cheese frosting melts luxuriously over the warm rolls, offering a sweet, tangy, and utterly gooey finish that is pure bliss.

Flexible Rising Options to Fit Your Schedule

We understand that modern life demands flexibility, especially when it comes to baking with yeast. The good news is that this recipe is designed to adapt to various schedules! Whether you prefer to prepare your dough ahead of time or enjoy a more spontaneous baking session, we offer three distinct rising options. This allows you to choose the method that best integrates into your day, making the joy of homemade banana cinnamon rolls accessible to everyone, regardless of how busy their routine might be.

Essential Ingredients for Your Banana Cinnamon Rolls

Crafting these exceptional banana cinnamon rolls requires a selection of fresh, high-quality ingredients. Each component plays a crucial role in achieving the desired flavor and texture, from the fluffy dough to the decadent frosting. Here’s a detailed look at what you’ll need:

• Bananas: You’ll need two types of ripeness! One very ripe banana (mashed) is incorporated into the dough for moisture and flavor. Additionally, 2-3 perfectly ripe (but still firm enough to slice) bananas are rolled into the filling, adding pockets of soft, warm fruit.
• Active Dry Yeast: A full tablespoon of active dry yeast is essential to achieve the light, fluffy texture of our brioche-style dough. Ensure it’s fresh and properly activated for optimal rising.
• Butter: Unsalted butter is used in two forms. Melted butter enriches the dough, contributing to its tender crumb, while softened butter is spread over the rolled dough as a base for the cinnamon-sugar filling, providing moisture and a rich taste.
• Sugars: Granulated sugar sweetens the dough, brown sugar (light or dark, packed) creates the deeply caramelized and gooey cinnamon roll filling, and powdered sugar forms the base of our silky-smooth peanut butter cream cheese frosting.
• Cinnamon: Two generous tablespoons of ground cinnamon are used to create that iconic warm, aromatic spice that defines a classic sweet roll, beautifully complementing the banana and peanut butter flavors.
• Heavy Whipping Cream: This is a secret ingredient for ultimate tenderness! A pour of heavy cream over the rolls before baking ensures they remain incredibly soft and moist. A small amount is also vital for achieving the perfect spreadable consistency in the frosting.
• Cream Cheese: Softened, full-fat, brick-style cream cheese is the foundation of our luscious peanut butter frosting, providing its signature tanginess and creamy texture.
• Peanut Butter: Creamy peanut butter (such as Jif, Skippy, or Peter Pan) is recommended for the frosting. Natural peanut butter is generally not advised as its oil can separate, leading to a less stable and desirable frosting consistency.
• All-Purpose Flour: The primary structural component of our dough, providing the perfect balance of strength and tenderness. You may need a little extra for dusting.
• Large Egg: Adds richness, color, and helps bind the dough ingredients. Ensure it’s at room temperature for better incorporation.
• Vanilla Paste or Extract: Enhances the overall sweet and warm flavors in both the dough and the frosting.
• Kosher Salt: Balances the sweetness and enhances all the other flavors in the dough.

For precise measurements and quantities, please refer to the complete recipe card below.

Delicious Substitutions and Creative Variations

One of the joys of baking is the ability to customize recipes to suit your taste or what you have on hand. These banana cinnamon rolls are wonderfully adaptable. Here are some ideas to inspire your culinary creativity:

• Chocolate Chip Delight: For a popular flavor pairing, mix ½ cup of mini chocolate chips into the cinnamon-sugar filling before rolling. The warm chocolate pairs beautifully with banana and cinnamon.
• Banana Nut Heaven: Transform these into a “banana nut bread” inspired roll by adding ½ cup of finely chopped walnuts or pecans to the filling mixture. This adds a lovely crunch and earthy flavor.
• Hand-Kneading Option: No stand mixer? No problem! The dough can be kneaded by hand. Expect to knead for about 10-15 minutes, or until the dough is smooth, elastic, and passes the windowpane test. It’s a great arm workout!
• Dairy-Free Alternative: To make this recipe dairy-free, substitute whole milk with almond milk (or another plant-based milk), and replace unsalted butter and cream cheese with high-quality vegan butter and vegan cream cheese alternatives. Ensure your heavy whipping cream is also a vegan substitute.
• Yeast Flexibility: While active dry yeast is specified, instant yeast can be used interchangeably. If using instant yeast, reduce the quantity to 3 teaspoons and simply mix it directly into the dry ingredients with all the other dough components, skipping the activation step.
• Extra Fluffy and Chewy Texture: For cinnamon rolls with an even more substantial and chewy texture, consider substituting bread flour for all-purpose flour. Bread flour has a higher protein content, which develops more gluten and results in a chewier crumb.

Understanding Yeast: Instant vs. Active Dry

Yeast is the magical ingredient that gives our cinnamon rolls their wonderful rise and airy texture. While both instant yeast and active dry yeast achieve similar results, they differ slightly in how they’re used in baking:

Instant yeast is a variety of dried yeast that boasts finer granules than active dry yeast, allowing it to dissolve and activate more quickly. Because of its rapid activation, it does not require prior proofing or activation in a warm liquid; it can be mixed directly with the dry ingredients.

Active dry yeast, on the other hand, consists of larger granules and needs to be “activated” or “proofed” before being incorporated into your dough. This activation process typically involves dissolving the yeast in a warm liquid (like milk or water, usually between 105-115°F or 40-46°C) along with a pinch of sugar. You’ll know it’s active and ready when it becomes foamy and bubbly on the surface after about 5-10 minutes. This step ensures your yeast is alive and potent enough to make your dough rise.

To use instant yeast as a substitute for active dry yeast in this recipe, simply reduce the amount to 3 teaspoons (as instant yeast is more potent) and mix it directly into the flour and other dry ingredients. You can then proceed with adding the wet ingredients without the initial proofing step.

Tailored Rising Options for Your Schedule

Working with yeast dough can feel intimidating, but this recipe offers flexibility to fit your lifestyle. Here are three reliable rising options for your banana cinnamon roll dough, allowing you to choose what works best for your schedule:

1. Fridge First, Room Temperature Second (Overnight Dough): This is an excellent option if you want to prepare most of the dough work a day in advance.
   • First Rise: After mixing, allow the mass of dough to complete its initial rise slowly in the refrigerator overnight (8-12 hours). This cold proof develops deeper flavors and makes the dough easier to handle.
   • Second Rise: The next day, roll out the chilled dough, assemble and cut your rolls. Place them in your baking pan and let them complete their second rise at room temperature. Because the dough will be cold, this second rise may take longer, typically up to two hours, until the rolls are visibly puffy and almost touching.
2. Room Temperature First, Fridge Second (Prepare for Morning Baking): This method is perfect for having freshly baked cinnamon rolls first thing in the morning with minimal effort.
   • First Rise: Let the mass of dough rise at room temperature until it has doubled in size (approximately 1-1.5 hours).
   • Second Rise: Once doubled, roll out the dough, assemble and cut the rolls, then arrange them in your baking pan. Cover them tightly with plastic wrap and let them do their second rise overnight in the refrigerator (8-12 hours).
   • Baking: The next morning, remove the pan from the fridge at least one hour before baking to allow the dough to warm up slightly. Note that cold dough might require an additional 5-10 minutes of baking time to cook through properly. This is a fantastic option for fresh cinnamon rolls right when you wake up!
3. All Room Temperature (Same-Day Baking): For those who want their cinnamon rolls ready relatively quickly on the same day.
   • First Rise: Allow the mass of dough to rise at room temperature until it has doubled in size (approximately 1-1.5 hours).
   • Second Rise: Roll out the dough, assemble and cut the rolls, and let them complete their second rise for about 30-45 minutes at room temperature, or until visibly puffy. This rise is quicker as the dough is already warm.

Important Note on Handling Dough: You’ll find that rolling out and assembling the dough is generally easier when the first rise is done in the refrigerator, as the dough becomes firmer and less sticky when cold. A room temperature rise, while quicker, will result in a very soft and pliable dough that can be slightly more challenging to handle. Take extra care not to rip the dough when adding the fillings and rolling it up if you choose the all room-temperature method.

Step-by-Step Guide: How to Make Irresistible Banana Cinnamon Rolls

Making these delightful banana cinnamon rolls is a rewarding process, and with our clear step-by-step instructions, you’ll achieve perfect results every time. Follow along to create a truly memorable sweet treat.

One: Activate the Yeast. In the bowl of a stand mixer, gently stir together the warm whole milk, 1 tablespoon of granulated sugar, and the active dry yeast. Let this mixture sit undisturbed for 5-10 minutes until a foamy layer appears on the surface, confirming the yeast is active and alive.

Two: Combine Wet Ingredients. Add the remaining granulated sugar, room temperature egg, mashed ripe banana, melted unsalted butter, and vanilla extract or paste to the yeast mixture. Using the dough hook attachment, mix these ingredients on low speed until they are just combined. The mixture will appear quite loose and wet at this stage.

Hot tip! Don’t be alarmed if the dough looks very loose and wet after adding the initial wet ingredients; this is perfectly normal and will change as more flour is incorporated.

Three: Add Flour and Knead. Incorporate 5 cups of all-purpose flour and the kosher salt into the bowl. Mix on low speed until all the flour is moistened. Then, increase the speed to medium-high and knead the dough for five minutes until it becomes very smooth and elastic. After this, add the remaining ½ cup of flour and mix on low until absorbed. Continue kneading on medium-high for another minute or until the dough completely pulls away from the sides of the bowl, forming a soft ball.

Four: First Rise. Lightly grease a large mixing bowl with olive oil, then transfer the dough into it, turning once to coat. Cover the bowl tightly with plastic wrap or a clean kitchen towel. Allow the dough to rise in a warm place for about one hour, or until it has visibly doubled in size. Alternatively, for a deeper flavor development and easier handling, let it rise in the refrigerator overnight.

Hot tip! When properly kneaded, the dough should be soft and stretchy, pulling away cleanly from the sides of the bowl. It might still be slightly tacky, but not sticky to the touch.

Five: Confirm Rise. This image illustrates dough that has completed its first rise, specifically using the overnight fridge method, resulting in a perfectly puffed and easy-to-handle dough.

Six: Shape the Dough. Turn the risen dough out onto a generously floured surface. Using your hands, gently pat the dough into a rough rectangular shape. This initial patting helps to evenly distribute the air and prepare it for rolling.

Seven: Roll to Size. With a rolling pin, carefully roll the dough into a large 12×24-inch rectangle. Strive for an even thickness across the entire surface, from the center to the edges, to ensure uniform rolls.

Eight: Butter the Dough. Evenly spread the very soft unsalted butter over the entire surface of the rolled dough. Make sure to extend the butter almost to the edges on the long sides, leaving about a ½-inch border on the shorter ends (these ends will be trimmed off later).

Hot tip! If the dough starts to stick to your surface or rolling pin, lightly dust with more flour. A bench scraper can be very helpful for lifting and repositioning the dough as needed.

Nine: Add Cinnamon Sugar. In a small bowl, combine the brown sugar and ground cinnamon. Sprinkle this aromatic mixture evenly over the buttered dough, then gently spread it with clean hands to ensure full coverage.

Ten: Layer Bananas. Carefully arrange the thin slices of perfectly ripe bananas evenly over the entire surface of the cinnamon-sugar layer. This adds extra moisture and that distinct banana bread flavor.

Eleven: Roll the Dough. Starting from one of the long ends, carefully and tightly roll the dough into a uniform log. Aim to keep the roll as even as possible to ensure consistently sized cinnamon rolls. Once rolled, place the log seam-side down on your countertop.

Twelve: Cut the Rolls. Using unflavored dental floss (the best tool for clean cuts!) or a very sharp knife, first trim about 1 inch off both ends of the log to create neat edges. Then, gently score the log into 12 even sections. Use the floss or knife to slice through each scored mark, creating individual cinnamon rolls.

Thirteen: Second Rise. Arrange the cut cinnamon rolls in a lightly greased 9×13-inch baking pan. Cover the pan with plastic wrap or foil and let the rolls rise in a warm place for another 30-45 minutes, or until they are noticeably puffy and almost touching each other. During this time, preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C).

Fourteen: Bake to Perfection. Once the rolls have risen, gently drizzle the heavy whipping cream evenly over the top of all the rolls. This step is key for ultra-soft centers! Bake for 25-35 minutes, or until the tops are beautifully golden brown and the centers are cooked through. If they brown too quickly, lightly tent with foil.

Fifteen: Mix Frosting Base. While your cinnamon rolls are baking, prepare the glorious peanut butter cream cheese frosting. In the bowl of your stand mixer with the paddle attachment (or using a hand mixer), combine the softened cream cheese, creamy peanut butter, vanilla extract or paste, and powdered sugar. Beat on medium speed until the mixture is smooth, creamy, and light.

Sixteen: Adjust Consistency. Gradually add in 2-3 tablespoons of heavy whipping cream, one tablespoon at a time, beating after each addition. Continue to mix until the frosting reaches a thick, luxurious, and easily spreadable consistency. You want it rich enough to cling to the rolls but soft enough to spread effortlessly.

Once the cinnamon rolls are out of the oven, allow them to cool for just about five minutes. This slight cooling period allows them to set slightly but keeps them warm enough to melt the frosting beautifully. Generously spread the peanut butter cream cheese frosting over the warm rolls using an offset spatula. Serve immediately and savor every glorious bite!

Expert Tips for Perfect Banana Cinnamon Rolls

Achieving bakery-quality cinnamon rolls at home is entirely possible with a few insider tips. Pay attention to these details for an even more delicious and successful baking experience:

• Mashed Banana Consistency: When mashing the banana for the dough, aim for a very fine, smooth consistency. This ensures that the banana is evenly distributed throughout the dough, preventing any lumpy spots and promoting even baking.
• Accurate Flour Measurement: Flour is often over-measured by volume. For the most accurate results and to avoid a dense, dry dough, always measure your flour by weight using a digital kitchen scale. If using cups, spoon the flour into the measuring cup and level it off without compacting it.
• Soft Butter for Spreading: The unsalted butter used for the filling needs to be exceptionally soft, at true room temperature (but not melted!). This ensures it spreads easily and smoothly over the delicate dough without tearing it, creating a uniform layer for the cinnamon sugar to adhere to.
• Precision Cutting for Rolls: For perfectly shaped and uniform rolls, first gently score the log of dough into 12 equal sections. Then, use unflavored dental floss or a serrated knife to cut each roll. Dental floss creates incredibly clean cuts by sliding underneath the log and crisscrossing over the top to slice through without squishing the layers.
• Effortless Pan Cleanup: To make post-baking cleanup a breeze, line your 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper. Leave an overhang on the sides to easily lift the entire batch of rolls out once cooled slightly.

Common Questions About Banana Cinnamon Rolls

Storage and Reheating Tips for Your Cinnamon Rolls

To keep your delicious banana cinnamon rolls fresh, store them in an airtight container, covered, in the refrigerator for up to three days. The frosting will set when chilled, so re-warming is recommended before serving.

For individual rolls, simply place one in the microwave for 15-20 seconds until warm and soft again. If you have unfrosted rolls, you can reheat them in a preheated 350℉ (180℃) oven for 10-15 minutes, or until warmed through the center. Once reheated, then apply the peanut butter cream cheese frosting.

Please note, due to the fresh bananas in the filling, I do not recommend freezing these rolls. The texture of the bananas can become mushy and unpleasant after thawing and reheating, compromising the overall quality of the roll.

More Sweet Breakfast Recipes You’ll Love

If you enjoyed these banana cinnamon rolls, be sure to explore more delightful sweet breakfast and dessert recipes from our collection!

Important Notes When Cooking with The Cozy Plum

• All recipes on The Cozy Plum are developed using Diamond Crystal kosher salt, which is known as the least salty variety of kosher salt. If you are using Morton’s kosher salt, you will need to reduce the amount of salt in the recipe by half, as it is approximately twice as salty. The same adjustment applies if you are using fine sea salt. Please, for best results, do not substitute with standard table salt.
• For maximum accuracy and consistent baking results, we highly recommend baking by weight using a digital kitchen scale. While our recipe card offers a toggle to switch between US Customary and Metric measurements, weight measurements are always superior for precision in baking.
• The recipe card allows you to scale the recipe quantities using the ‘1X’, ‘2X’, or ‘3X’ buttons. Please note that this adjustment applies only to the ingredient quantities and does not automatically alter or adjust the baking times. You may need to adjust baking times manually when scaling.
• If you plan to bake this recipe in a different size pan than specified, you can utilize a pan size converter tool to adjust quantities and baking times appropriately.

Banana Cinnamon Rolls with Peanut Butter Frosting

Recipe by Callan Wenner

U.S. Cups vs MetricUse the metric toggle to convert the measurements

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