Banana Bread Cinnamon Rolls with Caramel Pecan Glaze Recipe

Introduction

These Banana Bread Cinnamon Rolls with a Caramel Pecan Glaze combine the comforting flavors of ripe bananas and warm cinnamon, topped with a rich caramel and crunchy pecans. Perfect for a special breakfast or a cozy dessert, they’re sure to impress your family and friends.

Ingredients

• 1 cup whole milk
• 4 Tbsp. unsalted butter, softened
• 1 packet instant yeast
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 tsp. salt
• 3 ripe bananas, mashed
• 4 1/2 cups flour, plus more for rolling out the dough
• 1 1/2 Tbsp. olive oil
• 5 Tbsp. unsalted butter, melted
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1 Tbsp. cinnamon
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 1 cup light brown sugar
• 1/2 tsp. salt
• 2 tsp. vanilla
• 3/4 cup pecans
• 2 cups confectioner’s sugar
• 3-5 Tbsp. water
• 1 tsp. vanilla

Instructions

1. Step 1: In a small microwave-safe bowl, combine the milk and softened butter. Microwave until the butter is melted and the mixture reaches 110°F. If it’s too hot, stir to cool it down to 110°F.
2. Step 2: Add the instant yeast to the milk mixture, stir gently, and let sit for 10 minutes until foamy.
3. Step 3: In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a dough hook, mash the bananas. Add the sugar and salt, then mix until combined.
4. Step 4: Pour the milk and yeast mixture into the banana mixture and stir to combine.
5. Step 5: With the mixer on low speed, add the flour gradually, about 1/2 to 1 cup at a time, until the dough starts to come together. Transfer it to a floured surface and knead for 2 1/2 to 3 minutes, incorporating any remaining flour.
6. Step 6: Place the dough in a bowl greased with olive oil, cover with a kitchen towel, and let rise at room temperature for three hours. Alternatively, refrigerate overnight if preparing ahead.
7. Step 7: Once risen, flour a work surface and roll the dough into an 18″ x 12″ rectangle.
8. Step 8: In a small bowl, mix 5 Tbsp. melted butter, 1/4 cup granulated sugar, 1 Tbsp. cinnamon, and 1/4 cup brown sugar. Spread this filling evenly over the dough, leaving a 1/2″ to 1″ border around the edges.
9. Step 9: Roll the dough tightly into a spiral and slice into 1 1/2″ to 2″ thick rolls.
10. Step 10: Preheat the oven to 350°F. Place the rolls in a greased 9″ x 13″ pan, cover with plastic wrap, and let rest for 20 minutes.
11. Step 11: Bake for 40-45 minutes until golden brown. Allow rolls to cool completely in the pan.
12. Step 12: To make the caramel sauce, combine 1/2 cup unsalted butter, 1/4 cup sugar, 1 cup light brown sugar, 1/2 tsp. salt, 2 tsp. vanilla, and 3/4 cup pecans in a medium pot. Cook over medium heat, stirring frequently until it boils. Remove from heat and pour over cooled rolls.
13. Step 13: Sprinkle half of the pecans onto the hot caramel sauce. Chill in the fridge for about 15 minutes to set.
14. Step 14: For the glaze, whisk together 2 cups confectioner’s sugar, 3-5 Tbsp. water (add gradually), and 1 tsp. vanilla until smooth.
15. Step 15: Drizzle about 2 Tbsp. of glaze over each cinnamon roll. Sprinkle the remaining pecans on top while the glaze is still wet.
16. Step 16: Serve and enjoy your delicious banana bread cinnamon rolls with caramel pecan glaze!

Tips & Variations

• Use very ripe bananas for the best natural sweetness and flavor.
• For a nut-free version, omit the pecans or substitute with toasted coconut flakes.
• If you don’t have a stand mixer, knead the dough by hand for about 8-10 minutes.
• Add a pinch of nutmeg or cardamom to the cinnamon filling for extra warmth.

Storage

Store leftover banana bread cinnamon rolls in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days, or refrigerate for up to a week. Reheat gently in the microwave for 20-30 seconds before serving to enjoy them warm. They also freeze well; wrap individually and thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make the dough the night before?

Yes, you can let the dough rise overnight in the refrigerator. This slows the fermentation and develops flavor. Just bring it back to room temperature before rolling out.

What’s the best way to slice the cinnamon rolls?

Use a sharp serrated knife to cut through the dough evenly without squishing the rolls. Cutting into uniform 1 1/2″ to 2″ slices ensures even baking.

Banana Bread Cinnamon Rolls with Caramel Pecan Glaze Recipe

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Indulge in the comforting flavors of Banana Bread Cinnamon Rolls with a luscious Caramel Pecan Glaze. Soft and fluffy rolls infused with ripe banana sweetness, wrapped around a spiced cinnamon-sugar filling, baked to golden perfection and topped with a rich caramel sauce and crunchy pecans. Finished with a smooth vanilla glaze, these rolls make a perfect treat for breakfast or dessert.

• Author: Clara
• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 45 minutes
• Total Time: 4 hours 5 minutes (including rising time)
• Yield: 12 cinnamon rolls 1x
• Category: Breakfast, Dessert
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American
• Diet: Vegetarian

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Dough

• 1 cup whole milk
• 4 Tbsp. unsalted butter, softened
• 1 packet instant yeast
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 tsp. salt
• 3 ripe bananas, mashed
• 4 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for rolling
• 1 1/2 Tbsp. olive oil

Filling

• 5 Tbsp. unsalted butter, melted
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1 Tbsp. cinnamon
• 1/4 cup brown sugar

Caramel Pecan Sauce

• 1/2 cup unsalted butter
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 1 cup light brown sugar
• 1/2 tsp. salt
• 2 tsp. vanilla extract
• 3/4 cup pecans

Vanilla Glaze

• 2 cups confectioner’s sugar
• 3–5 Tbsp. water
• 1 tsp. vanilla extract
• Additional pecans for topping

Instructions

1. Warm Milk and Butter: In a microwave-safe bowl, combine the milk and softened butter. Microwave until the butter melts and the mixture reaches about 110°F. If too hot, cool the mixture to maintain the correct temperature.
2. Activate Yeast: Add the instant yeast to the warm milk mixture, stir gently, and let it sit for 10 minutes until foamy.
3. Prepare Banana Mixture: In a stand mixer bowl fitted with a dough hook, mash the ripe bananas thoroughly. Add the sugar and salt, mixing until fully incorporated.
4. Combine Wet Ingredients: Pour the milk and yeast mixture into the banana mixture. Stir to combine evenly.
5. Add Flour and Knead: With the mixer on low speed, gradually add flour 1/2 to 1 cup at a time until dough starts to form. Transfer to a floured surface and knead for 2 1/2 to 3 minutes, incorporating any remaining flour.
6. First Rise: Place dough in a bowl greased with olive oil, cover with a kitchen towel, and let rise at room temperature for 3 hours or refrigerate overnight if preparing ahead.
7. Roll Out Dough: After rising, flour a work surface and roll the dough into an 18 by 12-inch rectangle.
8. Prepare Filling: In a small bowl, mix melted butter, granulated sugar, cinnamon, and brown sugar. Spread the filling evenly onto the dough, leaving a 1/2 to 1-inch border around edges.
9. Form Rolls: Starting from one long edge, tightly roll the dough into a spiral. Slice the roll into 1 1/2 to 2-inch thick pieces.
10. Second Rise: Preheat oven to 350°F. Place rolls in a greased 9×13-inch baking pan, cover with plastic wrap, and let sit for 20 minutes.
11. Bake: Bake the rolls for 40-45 minutes or until golden brown. Remove from oven and allow to cool completely.
12. Make Caramel Sauce: In a medium saucepan, combine butter, granulated sugar, brown sugar, salt, and vanilla. Cook over medium heat, stirring frequently until the mixture boils. Remove from heat and pour over the cooled rolls.
13. Add Pecans to Caramel: Sprinkle half the pecans over the hot caramel topping. Chill in the refrigerator for about 15 minutes to set.
14. Prepare Vanilla Glaze: Whisk confectioner’s sugar with water, adding 1 tablespoon at a time, and vanilla until smooth and pourable.
15. Finish Glaze and Garnish: Spoon about 2 tablespoons of glaze over each roll. Immediately sprinkle remaining pecans on top while the glaze is still wet.
16. Serve: Enjoy these delicious banana bread cinnamon rolls with caramel pecan glaze warm or at room temperature.

Notes

• Ensure the milk temperature is about 110°F to properly activate the yeast without killing it.
• Use very ripe bananas for maximum sweetness and moisture.
• If preparing ahead, the dough can be refrigerated overnight which enhances the flavor development.
• Chilling the rolls after adding caramel helps the topping set and avoids messiness.
• Adjust water quantity in the glaze to achieve desired consistency.

Keywords: banana bread cinnamon rolls, caramel pecan glaze, cinnamon rolls recipe, banana dessert, sweet rolls, homemade cinnamon rolls