Banana Bread Cinnamon Rolls with Brown Butter Cream Cheese Frosting 🍌 – Black Foodie Finder

Banana Bread Meets Homemade Cinnamon Rolls

These Banana Bread Cinnamon Rolls by Aliani Lanese bring two cozy baking favorites together in one seriously decadent treat. Mashed ripe banana goes directly into the soft cinnamon-spiced dough, while another thin layer of banana joins dark brown sugar, cinnamon, butter, and mini chocolate chips in the filling.

After a second rise, warm heavy cream is poured between the rolls before baking, helping create an extra-soft, rich texture. Then comes the finish: brown butter cream cheese frosting, buttery caramelized bananas, and toasted pecans. It’s banana bread flavor transformed into a warm pan of gooey homemade cinnamon rolls.

Ingredients

For the Banana Bread Dough

• 3/4 cup warm whole milk
• 2 1/4 tsp active dry yeast
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup mashed ripe banana
• 2 eggs
• 5 tbsp butter, melted
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp cinnamon

For the Cinnamon Roll Filling

• 1/2 cup butter, softened
• 3/4 cup dark brown sugar
• 1 1/2 tbsp cinnamon
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/2 ripe banana, mashed
• 1/4 cup mini chocolate chips

For Baking

For the Brown Butter Cream Cheese Frosting

• 5 tbsp browned butter
• 4 oz cream cheese, softened
• 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 1/8 tsp salt
• 1–2 tbsp heavy cream

For the Caramelized Bananas

• 1 banana, sliced
• 1 tbsp butter
• 2 tbsp brown sugar
• 1/4 tsp cinnamon

For the Topping

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Make the Banana Dough

• Combine the warm milk, yeast, and sugar and let sit for 5–10 minutes, until foamy.
• Mix in the mashed banana, eggs, melted butter, and vanilla.
• Add the flour, salt, and cinnamon and knead for 7–9 minutes until soft and slightly tacky.

2. Let the Dough Rise

• Cover the dough and let it rise for 60–90 minutes, or until doubled in size.

3. Fill & Shape the Rolls

• Roll the dough into a large rectangle and spread with softened butter.
• Combine the brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt and sprinkle evenly over the butter.
• Add a very thin layer of mashed banana and the mini chocolate chips.
• Cut into 9 long strips with a pizza cutter and roll each strip individually.

4. Proof the Rolls

• Arrange the rolls in a greased 9×13-inch pan.
• Cover and let rise for another 30–45 minutes.
• Pour 1/3 cup warm heavy cream around and between the rolls.

5. Bake & Make the Frosting

• Bake at 350°F for 25–30 minutes.
• Meanwhile, beat the browned butter, softened cream cheese, powdered sugar, vanilla, salt, and 1–2 tablespoons heavy cream until smooth and creamy.

6. Caramelize & Finish

• Melt the butter and brown sugar in a skillet and stir in the cinnamon.
• Add the banana slices and cook for 1–2 minutes per side until golden and caramelized.
• Spread frosting over the warm rolls and finish with the caramelized bananas and toasted pecans.

Pro Tips & Suggestions

• Use very ripe bananas for the strongest banana flavor.
• Keep the mashed banana filling layer thin so the rolls stay easy to shape.
• Pour the heavy cream between the rolls rather than directly over their tops.
• Frost the rolls while warm, then add the caramelized bananas and pecans.

About the Creator

This recipe is by Aliani Lanese, the creator behind @cookedbylani_. She shares creative homemade recipes that turn familiar comfort-food flavors into indulgent dishes and baked treats.

Aliani Lanese | @cookedbylani_