If you adore the cozy flavors of banana bread and the warm, gooey indulgence of cinnamon rolls, then this Banana Bread Cinnamon Rolls with Vegan Frosting Recipe is going to be your new obsession. Imagine soft, tender dough infused with ripe banana sweetness, swirled with cinnamon sugar, and topped with a luscious vegan frosting that’s perfectly tangy and sweet. These cinnamon rolls strike the perfect balance between breakfast treat and dessert, making them a show-stopping addition to any weekend brunch or special occasion. Plus, they’re entirely plant-based, so everyone at your table can enjoy every bite without compromise.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This recipe uses simple, wholesome ingredients that come together to create layers of flavor and texture you won’t forget. Each component plays a vital role, from the creamy mashed banana adding natural sweetness and moisture, to the cinnamon and nuts creating a warm, crunchy contrast.
- Unsweetened plain almond milk: Acts as the dairy-free base for your dough, keeping it light and tender.
- Vegan butter: Adds richness and helps create that soft, flaky texture inside and a golden crust outside.
- Instant yeast: Gives the dough that perfect rise and airy fluffiness.
- Cane sugar: Sweetens the dough and the cinnamon filling just right without overpowering the banana flavor.
- Salt: Balances and enhances all the sweet and savory notes.
- Mashed ripe banana: The star ingredient delivering natural sweetness, moistness, and that classic banana bread flavor.
- All-purpose flour: The building block of your dough; a mix with whole-wheat pastry flour adds a lovely hearty depth.
- Ground cinnamon: Essential for that spicy warmth that pairs so beautifully with banana.
- Banana slices: Thinly sliced for elegant texture and bursts of fresh fruit inside each roll.
- Raw walnuts or pecans (optional): Gives a delightful crunch and toasty flavor complementing the softness of the rolls.
- Dairy-free cream cheese frosting or powdered sugar glaze: A sweet finishing touch that melts beautifully on top, making every bite dreamy.
How to Make Banana Bread Cinnamon Rolls with Vegan Frosting Recipe
Step 1: Prepare the Dough
Start by warming the almond milk and vegan butter together until the butter melts and the mixture is comfortably warm to the touch. This warm liquid activates the yeast, so be sure it’s around 110°F (43°C) to get that perfect rise. Sprinkle the yeast over the liquid and wait about 10 minutes until it becomes foamy and alive. This shows the yeast is ready to work its magic. Next, stir in cane sugar, salt, and mashed ripe banana for flavor and moisture. Gradually add your flour mix, stirring at first before kneading the dough on a floured surface. The dough should be soft but springy. Let it rise in an oiled bowl, covered, for about an hour until doubled in size. This waiting time is when the dough develops its amazing texture and flavor.
Step 2: Prepare the Filling
Once your dough has risen, roll it out gently into a large rectangle about 12 by 20 inches. This shape makes rolling up those cinnamon swirls so easy and uniform. Brush the surface with melted vegan butter, which adds moisture and helps the sugar and cinnamon stick perfectly. Then sprinkle an even layer of cane sugar mixed with cinnamon for that classic comforting flavor. Arrange very thin banana slices evenly over the surface, which will create beautiful pockets of banana inside the rolls. If you’re using nuts, sprinkle a layer of crushed walnuts or pecans for a lovely texture contrast and a slightly nutty taste.
Step 3: Assemble and Let Rise
Carefully roll the dough lengthwise into a tight log to trap the cinnamon sugar and banana inside those beautiful spirals. Cut the roll into roughly 1 ½ to 2-inch slices—you want them thick enough to keep the swirls intact but not too thick to affect baking time. Place the slices snugly in a greased baking pan, either square or round, for even cooking. Brush the tops with melted vegan butter, then sprinkle with a little sugar and more nuts if you like a crunchy topping. Cover the pan and let the rolls rise again while your oven heats to 350°F (176°C). This second rise is key for those soft, fluffy rolls everyone loves.
Step 4: Bake the Rolls
Bake your cinnamon rolls for about 28 to 35 minutes, or until they’re a gorgeous golden brown. The aroma filling your kitchen at this point will have you counting down the minutes. Let them cool slightly before frosting or enjoying them warm. This resting time helps your rolls set just enough for perfect slicing but keeps them soft and irresistible.
Step 5: Add Frosting or Glaze
Once slightly cooled, generously top the rolls with your choice of dairy-free cream cheese frosting or a simple powdered sugar glaze. The vegan frosting adds a tangy creaminess that complements the sweet banana and cinnamon perfectly, while the glaze offers a lighter, more delicate sweetness. Whichever you pick, it’ll feel like the perfect finishing touch on your homemade Banana Bread Cinnamon Rolls with Vegan Frosting Recipe.
How to Serve Banana Bread Cinnamon Rolls with Vegan Frosting Recipe
Garnishes
For a stunning presentation, sprinkle finely chopped nuts or a light dusting of cinnamon powder over the frosting. Fresh banana slices or a few edible flowers can add a pretty and inviting touch that makes your rolls look bakery-worthy.
Side Dishes
Pair these cinnamon rolls with fresh fruit salad, a hot cup of chai or coffee, or even a creamy coconut yogurt to balance the sweet richness and add fresh textures. Their versatility makes them perfect for both a breakfast treat and an afternoon indulgence.
Creative Ways to Present
Serve your rolls stacked on a decorative cake stand for feed-the-crowd style enjoyment, or place individual rolls in small ramekins lined with parchment paper for charming single servings. Adding a drizzle of warm vegan caramel sauce at the table can turn them into an unforgettable dessert experience.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Keep your leftover Banana Bread Cinnamon Rolls with Vegan Frosting Recipe fresh by storing them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days. If you need a longer shelf life, refrigeration is fine but can dry the rolls slightly—just warm them before serving.
Freezing
You can freeze unbaked rolls after assembling and before the second rise by wrapping the pan tightly in plastic wrap and foil—freeze for up to three months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight, then let rise at room temperature before baking. Alternatively, freeze baked and cooled rolls individually in airtight containers for quick breakfasts later.
Reheating
To reheat, wrap rolls in foil and warm in a 300°F oven for about 10-15 minutes. You can also microwave a single roll for 20-30 seconds for a soft, fresh-out-of-the-oven feel. Add a fresh dollop of vegan frosting or glaze after warming to revive that signature lusciousness.
FAQs
Can I use a different type of plant milk?
Absolutely! While almond milk is recommended for its mild flavor, oat, soy, or coconut milk will also work well in this recipe. Just ensure it’s unsweetened to keep your rolls balanced.
Is it necessary to use instant yeast?
Instant yeast is ideal because it activates quickly without needing proofing, saving time. If using active dry yeast, dissolve it in warm liquid for about 10 minutes until bubbly before mixing with other ingredients.
Can I make these rolls nut-free?
Definitely. The nuts add texture and flavor but are totally optional. You can omit them for a nut-free version or substitute with seeds like pumpkin or sunflower if you want some crunch.
How ripe should the bananas be?
The riper, the better. Look for bananas with plenty of brown spots—those are sweetest and mash easily, which improves both flavor and moisture in the dough.
What’s the best way to get thin banana slices?
A sharp knife works fine, but for ultra-thin slices use a mandoline or a vegetable slicer. Thin slices bake evenly inside the rolls, creating soft pockets of banana without weighing down the dough.
Final Thoughts
There is something truly magical about the combination of banana bread and cinnamon rolls, and this Banana Bread Cinnamon Rolls with Vegan Frosting Recipe captures that magic perfectly. Whether you’re baking for a cozy morning, a special occasion, or just because you love warm, sweet treats, these rolls bring joy with every bite. So grab your apron, roll up your sleeves, and treat yourself to this delightful, plant-based indulgence—you won’t regret it!
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Banana Bread Cinnamon Rolls with Vegan Frosting Recipe
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Total Time: 2 hours
- Yield: 10 servings
- Category: Breakfast, Brunch, Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegan
Description
Delight in these Banana Bread Cinnamon Rolls, a perfect fusion of classic cinnamon rolls and moist banana bread. Made with vegan ingredients and a touch of wholesome whole-wheat pastry flour, these rolls are filled with cinnamon, banana slices, and nuts, then baked to golden perfection. Topped with a dairy-free cream cheese frosting or a simple powdered sugar glaze, they are a comforting treat ideal for breakfast or dessert.
Ingredients
Dough
- 1 cup unsweetened plain almond milk
- 3 Tbsp vegan butter (such as Earth Balance)
- 1 packet instant/fast-acting yeast (~2 1/4 tsp)
- 1 Tbsp cane sugar
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/2 cup mashed ripe banana
- 2 ¾ – 3 ¼ cups all-purpose flour (2/3 unbleached all-purpose, 1/3 whole-wheat pastry flour)
Filling
- 1/4 cup vegan butter (melted)
- 1/3 cup cane sugar
- 1/2 – 1 Tbsp ground cinnamon
- ~20 very thin banana slices (~1/2 cup)
- 1/3 cup raw walnuts or pecans (optional, crushed)
Topping
- 1 Tbsp vegan butter (melted)
- 1 Tbsp sugar (cane or brown)
- Additional crushed walnuts (optional)
- Dairy-free cream cheese frosting or powdered sugar glaze (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare the dough: Warm the almond milk and vegan butter in the microwave in 30-second bursts or over medium heat until melted and warm to 110°F (43°C). Sprinkle yeast on top and let it activate for 10 minutes. Stir in sugar, salt, and mashed banana. Gradually add flour while stirring until the dough thickens. Knead on a floured surface until a slightly springy ball forms. Place in an oiled bowl, cover, and let rise for 1 hour until doubled in size.
- Prepare the filling: Roll the risen dough into a roughly 12 x 20 inch rectangle on a floured surface. Brush with melted vegan butter, then sprinkle evenly with the cane sugar and cinnamon mixture. Arrange the thin banana slices evenly over the dough and sprinkle crushed walnuts if using.
- Assemble and let rise: Carefully roll the dough into a log shape and slice into 1 1/2 to 2-inch wide cinnamon rolls. Place the rolls close together in a greased 8×8-inch or similar round baking pan. Brush the tops with melted vegan butter and sprinkle with sugar and more crushed walnuts if desired. Cover and allow to rise while preheating the oven to 350°F (176°C).
- Bake the rolls: Bake the cinnamon rolls in the preheated oven for 28-35 minutes or until golden brown. Remove from the oven and let cool slightly before frosting or serving warm.
- Add frosting or glaze: Optionally, top the warm rolls with dairy-free cream cheese frosting or a simple powdered sugar glaze for added sweetness and visual appeal.
Notes
- Use a mixture of unbleached all-purpose flour and whole-wheat pastry flour for a tender texture and added nutrition.
- If you want a traditional cinnamon roll flavor, adjust cinnamon quantity from 1/2 to 1 tablespoon to taste.
- The powdered sugar glaze can be made by mixing powdered sugar with a splash of almond milk and vanilla extract until smooth.
- Ensure the almond milk is not too hot when activating the yeast to avoid killing it; 110°F (43°C) is ideal.
- Refrigerate or freeze leftover rolls. Reheat gently before serving to restore softness.
- Walnuts can be substituted with pecans or omitted for nut-free versions.
