Mix and Proof the Yeast:
Combine warm milk with yeast and sugar in a large bowl Stir and let it stand for about five minutes until foamy This is how you know your yeast is alive and ready
Build the Dough:
Add the melted butter eggs salt and mashed banana to the yeast mixture Stir everything until blended Slowly add the flour mixing as you go until a soft tacky dough forms that pulls away from the sides of the bowl
Knead and First Rise:
Turn the dough onto a floured surface and knead for about ten minutes until it feels smooth and elastic Place this dough ball in a greased bowl cover and let rise somewhere warm for about an hour It should double in size which means plenty of fluffy layers ahead
Prep the Cinnamon Filling:
While the dough rises stir together the softened butter brown sugar and cinnamon until you have a smooth spreadable paste Set aside If using nuts chop them now
Fill and Shape the Rolls:
Gently punch down the risen dough Roll it out into a large rectangle about twenty by fourteen inches Spread the cinnamon filling edge to edge and sprinkle walnuts if you like them Roll the dough up lengthwise into a tight log Slice into twelve equal pieces
Second Rise and Bake:
Arrange the rolls in a buttered baking dish Cover and let rise for another thirty minutes as the oven heats to three hundred fifty degrees Fahrenheit Bake twenty five to thirty minutes until golden and cooked through
Make and Spread the Icing:
Beat the cream cheese butter powdered sugar and vanilla essence until creamy and smooth Dollop or spread over the warm rolls letting the sweet icing melt into every swirl
A white plate with a glazed cinnamon roll on it.
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You Must Know
High in potassium thanks to bananas
Stays soft and fresh even the next day
Easy to adapt with raisins or pecans
When my grandmother visited she insisted on adding toasted walnuts The crunch with the cinnamon swirl still makes me smile and think of lazy family breakfasts growing up Each bite feels like a special occasion
Storage Tips
Store leftovers tightly wrapped at room temperature and they will stay pillowy for up to two days For keeping any longer freeze rolls individually and reheat in a low oven for best freshness The frosting holds up well to freezing too so do not hesitate to make a bigger batch
Ingredient Substitutions
Swap walnuts with pecans or leave out nuts altogether for a nut-free treat Vegan butter and plant milk work well if needed For the icing try lemon zest for a tangy twist or skip cream cheese and dust with extra powdered sugar
Serving Suggestions
Serve these warm and gooey with coffee or hot cocoa for an indulgent breakfast They are also delicious split in half and grilled gently with more butter If you have guests make a double pan because they will disappear fast
Cultural and Historical Note
Cinnamon rolls go way back in baking tradition and every family seems to have a secret touch The banana addition nods to classic American banana bread which popped up in cookbooks during the twentieth century This hybrid is truly the best of both traditions
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