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Banana Bread Cinnamon Rolls

Banana Bread Cinnamon Rolls

These Banana Bread Cinnamon Rolls use the tangzhong method for ultra moist texture and feature a unique banana caramel topping.
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Proofing Time 2 hours 30 minutes
Total Time 3 hours 45 minutes
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 15 rolls
Calories 313 kcal

Equipment

  • small pot or butter warmer
  • stand mixer or hand mixer
  • Rolling Pin
  • baking slab or a 9 by 13-inch baking dish

Ingredients
  

For the banana tangzhong

  • 1 small very ripe banana 110 grams
  • 2.5 tablespoons bread flour 23 grams
  • 0.5 cup water 120 grams

For the banana bread cinnamon roll dough

  • 2.5 teaspoons active dry yeast 8 grams
  • 3 tablespoons granulated sugar 45 grams
  • 0.5 cup whole milk between 100-110°F, 120 grams
  • 2 tablespoons salted butter melted, 28 grams
  • 1 large very ripe banana mashed, 125 grams
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla bean paste
  • 3.0625 cups bread flour 430 grams
  • 1 heaping teaspoon Diamond Crystal kosher salt 5 grams

For the filling

  • 1 cup densely packed dark brown sugar 200 grams
  • 2 tablespoons ground cinnamon 16 grams
  • 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour 18 grams
  • 0.5 teaspoon Diamond Crystal kosher salt
  • 1 large very ripe banana 125 grams
  • 0.25 cup salted butter softened, 57 grams

For the banana caramel

  • 1 large very ripe banana 125 grams
  • 0.5 cup maple syrup 120 grams
  • 1 tablespoon salted butter 14 grams
  • 0.5 teaspoon Diamond Crystal kosher salt

Instructions
 

Make the Tangzhong

  • Begin with the tangzhong. In a small pot, mash up a small banana with 23 grams of bread flour, then pour in 120 grams of water.
  • Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until the mixture thickens into a paste that looks almost gluey, around 6-7 minutes. If you have a thermometer it should read between 170-190°F. Cool this to room temperature before using.

Make the Dough

  • In the bowl of a stand mixer, add 8 grams of active dry yeast, 45 grams of sugar, 120 grams of milk (between 100-110°F), 28 grams of melted butter and whisk.
  • Mash up one large banana very well. Whisk that into the wet ingredients along with 1 teaspoon vanilla bean paste and the tangzhong.
  • Add 430 grams of bread flour and 5 grams of salt. Use the hook attachment and mix on medium speed for 15-18 minutes, or until the dough goes from slack to pulling away from the sides of the bowl. It will be stretchy and tacky. You should be able to dampen your hand and stretch the dough up to 18 inches without it breaking to know that it's ready.
  • Use a damp hand to gently lift and place the dough so that it's a smooth ball, then cover and let it rise in a warm place for 60-90 minutes, or until doubled in size.

Make the Filling

  • In a medium bowl, mix together 200 grams of brown sugar, 16 grams of cinnamon 18 grams of flour and ½ teaspoon kosher salt.
  • Quarter a banana lengthwise, then cut crosswise so you get a bunch of pea-sized banana pieces. Toss these in the sugar mixture so they are fully coated.

Assemble and Proof

  • When the dough is done proofing, move it to a lightly floured work surface and roll it out into a 20-inch by 15-inch rectangle.
  • Spread 57 grams of softened butter evenly across the dough, then scatter the filling all over. Roll the dough up the 20-inch side, making a 15-inch long log.
  • This dough is soft, so you should use floss or a rubber band to cut the rolls (a knife will be a bit messy!). Trim the ends and cut the roll in 15 1-inch buns.
  • Use a bench scraper to transfer these rolls to a parchment-lined 9 by 13-inch baking slab. You will have five rows of three.
  • Cover the rolls and let them proof for another hour, or until they have increased around a third in size and look puffy.

Bake

  • Position a rack in the center of the oven and preheat to 375°F convection, 400°F standard.
  • Bake the rolls for 25-28 minutes or until they are golden.

Make the Banana Caramel

  • While they are baking, make the banana caramel. Either mash 1 banana very well and stir it in with 120 grams of maple syrup, or blend them together in a blender.
  • Pour the mixture in a small pot and bring it to a boil. Let this boil for 60 seconds, then stir in a tablespoon of butter and ½ teaspoon salt. Let this get to rolling boil for another 60 seconds. When it smells very banana-y or if you have a thermometer, when it's between 200°F-220°F, turn off the heat.

Finish

  • When the rolls are out of the oven, let them cool for a few minutes before glazing the top of the rolls with the banana caramel. Then cut, slice and eat as you like!

Notes

You may use all-purpose flour instead of bread flour if that’s all you have. See the blog post for how that will change the kneading and consistency of your dough.

Nutrition

Serving: 1rollCalories: 313kcalCarbohydrates: 58gProtein: 4gFat: 8gSaturated Fat: 4.6gMonounsaturated Fat: 2gCholesterol: 19mgSodium: 65mgFiber: 1.4gSugar: 31g
Keyword baking, banana bread, Banana Bread Cinnamon Rolls, cinnamon rolls, dessert, Sweet Rolls
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