Banana Bread Cinnamon Rolls – Page 3

Instructions

1. Make the Dough:

Warm the Milk: Heat the milk until it is warm to the touch but not hot (around 110°F). If you use a thermometer, this is the “baby bottle” test. If it’s too hot, it will kill the yeast.
Activate the Yeast: In the bowl of a stand mixer, whisk the warm milk, yeast, and sugar together. Let it sit for 5-10 minutes until it becomes foamy. (If using instant yeast, you can skip this foaming step and just add it with the dry ingredients, but this is a good way to ensure your yeast is alive).
Combine Wet Ingredients: Add the egg, mashed banana, melted butter, and vanilla extract to the yeast mixture. Whisk until combined.
Add Dry Ingredients: Attach the dough hook to your mixer. Add the 3 cups of flour, 1 tsp cinnamon, and salt. Mix on low speed until the dough comes together.
Knead the Dough: Increase the speed to medium and knead for 5-7 minutes, until the dough is smooth and slightly tacky but pulls away from the sides of the bowl. If the dough is too sticky, add 1-2 tablespoons of flour at a time. (You can also knead by hand on a floured surface for 8-10 minutes).
First Rise: Form the dough into a ball. Place it in a lightly greased bowl, turning it once to coat. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a clean kitchen towel and let it rise in a warm, draft-free place for 1-1.5 hours, or until doubled in size.

2. Assemble the Rolls:

Prepare Pan: Grease a 9×9 inch square or a 9-inch round baking pan.
Roll the Dough: Once the dough has risen, punch it down to release the air. Turn it out onto a lightly floured surface. Roll it into a 12×16 inch rectangle.
Spread the Filling: Spread the very soft ½ cup of butter evenly over the entire surface of the dough, leaving a ½-inch border along one of the long edges.
Add Sugar & Spice: In a small bowl, mix the brown sugar, 2 tsp cinnamon, and nutmeg. Sprinkle this mixture evenly over the butter. If using nuts, sprinkle them on top.
Roll it Up: Starting with the long side opposite the clean border, tightly roll the dough into a log. Pinch the clean edge to seal the seam.
Cut the Rolls: Using a sharp serrated knife, dental floss, or a bench scraper, cut the log into 9 equal pieces (about 1.5 inches each). Place the rolls cut-side up in the prepared baking pan.
Second Rise: Cover the pan and let the rolls rise again for 30-45 minutes, until puffy. Meanwhile, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).

3. Bake the Rolls:

Bake for 22-28 minutes, or until the rolls are golden brown on top and sound hollow when tapped.
Let the rolls cool in the pan for about 10-15 minutes before frosting.

4. Make the Frosting & Finish:

Brown the Butter: While the rolls are baking/cooling, make the frosting. Melt the 4 tbsp of butter in a light-colored saucepan over medium heat. Continue to cook, swirling the pan occasionally, until the butter foams and you see brown specks at the bottom and it smells nutty. Immediately pour into a small bowl and let it cool to room temperature.
Combine: In a medium bowl, beat the softened cream cheese with an electric mixer until smooth. Add the cooled brown butter, powdered sugar, vanilla, and salt. Beat until creamy and smooth.
Frost: Spread the frosting generously over the warm (not piping hot) rolls.

Banana Ripeness: The riper the banana, the more flavor and sweetness it will impart. Black bananas are perfect!
Dough Texture: The banana adds moisture, so the dough might be a bit stickier than a traditional cinnamon roll dough. Be judicious with adding extra flour; you want it to be soft and slightly tacky, not dry.
Soft Butter is Key: For the filling, ensure your butter is very soft so it spreads easily without tearing the dough.
Don’t Overbake: Keep a close eye on them. You want them golden, not dark brown, to keep them soft.
Make-Ahead: You can prepare the rolls up to the cutting stage, cover the pan tightly with plastic wrap, and refrigerate overnight. The next morning, let them sit at room temperature for 30-60 minutes to finish rising, then bake as directed.

Enjoy your incredible, warm, gooey, and uniquely delicious Banana Bread Cinnamon Rolls