Banana Bread Cinnamon Rolls

What do you get when you combine banana bread with cinnamon rolls? These incredible Banana Bread Cinnamon Rolls! A cinnamon roll and banana bread in one, how could these not be good? Then when they are slathered generously with cream cheese frosting and finished off with toasted nuts, all I can say is wow yum! This is breakfast done right. Enjoy and be sure to eat them warm. 

Banana Bread Cinnamon Rolls
Yields 1 dozen

Ingredients:

3 medium overripe bananas
1 tsp lemon juice
2/3 cup milk (I used whole)
3 Tbsp butter, diced
2 Tbsp vegetable oil
2 1/4 tsp active dry yeast
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1/2 tsp salt
1 large egg yolk
3 3/4 cups bread flour, divided 
1 Tbsp cornstarch
3/4 tsp baking powder

3/4 cup packed light-brown sugar
1 1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/8 tsp nutmeg
6 Tbsp butter, melted

1 recipe Cream Cheese Frosting, recipe follows
toasted walnuts or pecans, chopped (optional)

Directions:
Puree bananas in a food processor along with 1 tsp lemon juice until mixture is smooth and no chunks remain, set aside (you should have just over 1 1/3 cups pureed bananas). 
Heat milk and 3 Tbsp butter in a small saucepan over medium low heat. Cook stirring occasionally until butter has melted. Remove from heat and pour mixture into the bowl of an electric stand mixer. Whisk in vegetable oil and allow mixture to cool to 110 degrees. Whisk in yeast, stirring until dissolved and allow mixture to rest 5 minutes. With the paddle attachment, mix in granulated sugar, salt, egg yolk, 2 cups bread flour and pureed bananas. Switch mixer to a hook attachment, add 1 1/2 cups bread flour and sprinkle in cornstarch, then knead mixture on medium low speed until a smooth and elastic dough forms (dough will be sticky). Cover bowl with plastic wrap and allow to rise to until doubled in size, about 1 1/2 hours. 
In a small bowl whisk together light-brown sugar, cinnamon and nutmeg, set aside. 
In a separate small bowl, whisk together remaining 1/4 cup bread flour and baking powder. Return bowl with dough to electric stand mixer, pour in flour/baking powder mixture and knead dough with hook attachment until mixture is well blended and smooth. Roll dough out on a floured surface (dough should be slightly sticky so I floured the surface fairly generously) to a 16 x 20 inch rectangle. Using the back of a spoon, spread 6 Tbsp melted butter evenly over the top of the dough. Sprinkle top evenly with brown sugar mixture and spread into an even layer, coming within a 1/2 inch of all edges. Starting on the 16 inch side, snugly roll dough to opposite end. 
Cut rolled dough into 12 equal pieces (I cut it in half first, then halves into halves, then those halves into thirds). Arrange rolls in a buttered 13 x 9 inch baking dish (reshaping flat sides as needed). Cover baking dish with plastic wrap and allow to rise until doubled in size, about 45 minutes. Preheat oven to 350 degrees (I do this during the last 10 minutes of rising) and bake rolls in preheated oven for 22 - 26 minutes until golden. Allow to cool slightly then cut into rolls and frost with Cream Cheese Frosting and sprinkle with optional chopped nuts.

Cream Cheese Frosting

Ingredients:
6 oz. cream cheese, softened
6 Tbsp butter, softened
2 1/4 cups powdered sugar
2 - 3 tsp milk

Directions:
In a large mixing bowl, using an electric and mixer, whip together cream cheese and butter until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes. Add powdered sugar and mix until smooth. Pour in milk and mix until well blended. 

Recipe Source: Cooking Classy

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Best Ever Cinnamon Rolls

Okay, so this is officially the longest post I think I've ever done. It's taken a few days for this one and I've been thinking of what I'd put in these Cinnamon Rolls for a long time . I've been wanting to create my own cinnamon roll recipe for months and yesterday I finally decided it was time. So, let me explain a few things. The first batch I made was delicious but I knew it could be just a bit better. It was flavorful, tender, moist, fluffy. Basically it had nearly everything I could ever ask for from a cinnamon roll, except they just weren't big and grand enough. So today I woke up bright and early and made a second batch, and in my opinion, perfected them. Words nearly can't describe the goodness of these cinnamon rolls. I have never sunk my teeth into a cinnamon roll so good. I'm sorry, I know that sounds SO bragish but it is true. This is what I work for. These are why I love my job. I get to wake up and create something delicious, then slowly savor every last little bite of it and then share it with everyone so you can try it too. 

Following I've posted both recipes, the first batch and the second batch. The ones you're going to want to try are Best Ever Cinnamon Rolls but maybe down the road you will want a smaller version and you could try the Second Best Ever Cinnamon Rolls. Hopefully soon I will be posting those in portable cupcake form because I tested and they fit perfectly in cupcake liners. Just to let you know, the majority of the pictures are from batch 1 (2nd Best) and the birds eye view shots of the cinnamon rolls are batch 2 (Best Ever). The 1st batch made a prettier roll I thought, just not quite as amazing as the 2nd batch. I hope you love these melt in your mouth Cinnamon Rolls as much as I do. Be sure to try a fresh one warm out of the oven (rather than letting it cool for hours). Enjoy!

Oh and about all the "secret ingredients" don't leave any of them out. They all work together, one ingredient complimenting the other. The cocoa isn't noticeable it just excites the flavor of these rolls. The cornstarch helps give them amazing texture. The use of two oils, butter and vegetable oil, creates a fluffy roll while giving them that rich buttery flavor. The vanilla extract, I think every cinnamon roll recipe needs it =). The nutmeg, aren't cinnamon and nutmeg just made to go together? The combo of yeast and baking powder, a friend gave me a cinnamon roll recipe once that did this and I thought it was genius, so I adapted that method. The heavy cream in the icing, its where the creamy and fluffy comes in to the icing. This may seem like a random recipe but it all comes together wonderfully to create these...

Best Ever Cinnamon Rolls

Yields 12 large rolls

Ingredients:

2/3 cup whole milk

1/4 cup butter, cold and diced into cubes

1/2 cup buttermilk

1/4 cup vegetable oil

2 1/4 tsp active dry yeast

1/2 cup granulated sugar

1 1/4 tsp salt

2 tsp vanilla extract

1 large egg, at room temperature

1 large egg yolk, at room temperature

3 3/4 cups bread flour, divided

1 1/2 Tbsp cornstarch

3/4 tsp baking powder

3/4 cup packed light-brown sugar

4 tsp ground cinnamon

1 tsp cocoa powder

1/4 tsp ground nutmeg

1/3 cup butter, melted

1 recipe Cream Cheese Icing, recipe follows

Directions:

In a medium saucepan combine whole milk and 1/4 cup diced butter. Heat mixture over medium heat until butter melts, stirring frequently. Remove from heat and stir in buttermilk and vegetable oil (this should bring mixture down to 105-110 degrees, if not allow mixture to cool to 105-110 degrees). Pour milk mixture into the bowl of an electric stand mixer and using whisk attachment, stir in yeast. Allow mixture to rest 5 minutes, then add 1/2 cup granulated sugar, salt, vanilla, egg and egg yolk. Stir mixture until blended. Switch mixer to a hook attachment, then add 3 1/2 cups of the bread flour and knead mixture on low speed until smooth and elastic, about 5 minutes (dough will be sticky). Cover bowl with plastic wrap and allow to rise in a warm place until doubled in size about 1 1/2 - 2 hours. 

In a small mixing bowl, using a fork, whisk together 3/4 cup light-brown sugar, cinnamon, cocoa powder and nutmeg, set aside. In a separate mixing bowl, whisk together remaining 1/4 cup bread flour, cornstarch and baking powder. Pour flour mixture over risen dough and return to stand mixer and knead mixture, using the hook attachment, until smooth and elastic (resist the urge to add more flour, dough should be slightly sticky). Roll dough out on a  lightly floured surface to a 16 x 12 inch rectangle. Using the back of a spoon, spread 1/3 cup melted butter evenly over dough. Sprinkle brown sugar mixture over melted butter, coming within a 1/2 inch of all edges, and spread into an even layer. Starting on the 16 inch side, roll dough up snugly to opposite end. Cut dough into 12 equal pieces (its easiest to cut in half, then cut halves into halves, then cut those halves into thirds). Arrange rolls in a buttered 13 x 9 inch baking dish, then cover dish with plastic wrap and allow to rise until doubled in size about 1 hour. 

Preheat oven to 350 degrees (you can do this during the last 10 minutes of rising). Bake rolls in preheated oven for 23 - 26 minutes until golden brown. Remove from oven, allow to cool 5 - 10 minutes then cut rolls and spread generously with Cream Cheese Icing. Serve warm. Store in an airtight container and rewarm in microwave if desired.

Cream Cheese Icing

6 oz. 1/3 Less Fat Cream Cheese (aka Nuefchatel Cheese, regular Cream Cheese works too)

6 Tbsp butter, softened

2 1/4 cups powdered sugar

1 1/2 - 2 Tbsp heavy cream or sour cream 

1/2 tsp vanilla extract

Directions:

In a large mixing bowl, using an electric hand mixer, whip together cream cheese and butter until fluffy, about 1 minute. Add in heavy cream, vanilla extract and powdered sugar and whip mixture until smooth and fluffy, about 1 minute. 

 Yes, I will have one tea cup full of frosting please =)...

2nd Best Cinnamon Rolls
Yields 12 rolls 

Ingredients:
1/2 cup whole milk
3 Tbsp butter
1/4 cup buttermilk
3 Tbsp vegetable oil
1 1/2 tsp active dry yeast
1/3 cup granulated sugar
1 tsp salt
1 large egg, at room temperature
1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
2 1/2 cups bread flour, divided
1 Tbsp cornstarch
1/2 tsp baking powder

2/3 cup packed light-brown sugar
1 Tbsp ground cinnamon
3/4 tsp cocoa powder
1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
1/4 cup butter, melted

1 recipe Cream Cheese Frosting, recipe follows

Directions:
Add milk and 3 Tbsp butter to a medium saucepan and heat over medium heat, stirring frequently, until butter has melted (if milk begins to bubble remove from heat and stir until butter melts). Remove from heat and stir in buttermilk and vegetable oil. Pour milk mixture into an electric stand mixer and using whisk attachment, whisk mixture until cooled to 105-110 degrees. Stir in yeast and allow to rest 5 minutes. Whisk in granulated sugar, salt, egg and vanilla. Add 2 1/4 cups bread flour to mixture and using a hook attachment, knead mixture until it's smooth and elastic (dough will be sticky). Cover bowl with plastic wrap and allow dough to rest until doubled in size about 1 1/2 - 2 hours. 
In a small mixing bowl, whisk together light-brown sugar, cinnamon, cocoa powder and nutmeg, set aside. In a separate small mixing bowl, whisk together remaining 1/4 cup bread flour, 1 Tbsp cornstarch and baking powder. Pour flour mixture over risen dough and return to electric stand mixer, then using dough hook, knead mixture until smooth and elastic. Roll dough out on a lightly floured surface, to a 16 x 12 inch rectangle. Using the back of a spoon, evenly spread 1/4 cup melted butter over dough, then sprinkle brown sugar mixture evenly over melted butter and spread into an even layer. Starting on the 16 inch side, roll dough snugly to opposite end. Cut dough into 12 equal pieces and arrange rolls in a buttered 13 x 9 inch baking dish. Cover dish with plastic wrap and allow rolls to rise until doubled in size about 1 hour. 
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Bake rolls in preheated oven for 20-23 minutes until golden. Remove from oven and allow rolls to cool about 5-10 minutes then spread Cream Cheese Icing over Cinnamon Rolls. Serve warm. 

Cream Cheese Icing

Ingredients:
4 oz 1/3 Less Fat Cream Cheese (regular would work too)
1/4 cup butter, softened
1 Tbsp heavy cream (could be substituted with half and half)
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
1 1/2 cups powdered sugar

Directions:
In a large mixing bowl, using an electric hand mixer, whip together cream cheese and butter until fluffy, about 1 minute. Add in heavy cream, vanilla extract and powdered sugar and whip mixture until smooth and fluffy, about 1 minute. 

Recipe Source: Cooking Classy

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Cinnamon Roll Mug Cake (made in 3 minutes!)

Wow!  Why did I not get into the mug cake phenomenon until now?  When I would see the pictures of mug cakes floating around on Foodgawker.com I thought, seriously, how could a cake be made in the microwave and actually be good?  Well, I am here to tell you mug cake works! Not only does it work, it is incredible. It's brilliant.  It's the greatest thing since sliced bread!  
I think I may gain 10 pounds this month from adapting this method for making cake.  I created this recipe because I adore cinnamon rolls but I'm not a fan of the prep/wait time.  This can be made, ready to eat in 3 minutes flat.  This cake is surprisingly moist, it has every flavor of a cinnamon roll, it's easier and last but definitely not least, clean up is a breeze!  How can I go back to the tedious method of rolling and rising cinnamon rolls now?  I love the idea of mug cakes because really, what dessert can be made so quickly and taste so decadent as though it took hours to make?  How amazed would unexpected guest be when you have this delicious, fancy cake sitting in front of them in just a number of minutes.  If you are not a baker, fool anyone into believing you are with this simple cake =).  It's easier than making a box of mac n' cheese.  So husbands that say they can't cook, see here.  You've just run out of excuses.

Cinnamon Roll Mug Cake

Yields 1 mug cake (about 1 -2 servings)

Ingredients:

2 Tbsp applesauce

1 Tbsp vegetable oil

1 Tbsp buttermilk

1/4 tsp vanilla extract

1/4 cup + 1 Tbsp all-purpose flour

2 1/2 Tbsp packed light-brown sugar

3/4 tsp ground cinnamon

1 dash ground nutmeg (optional)

1/4 tsp baking powder

1/8 tsp (scant) salt

1 Recipe Cream Cheese Icing, recipe follows

Directions:

Prepare Cream Cheese Icing according to directions listed, set aside.  Combine all ingredients (minus Cream Cheese Icing) in a mug then whisk together with a fork until combine and nearly smooth.  Microwave mixture on high power for 1 minute then check cake for doneness. If it is not fully cooked microwave for an additional 15 seconds.  Serve warm topped with Cream Cheese Icing.  

Cream Cheese Icing

1 Tbsp Cream Cheese or Neufchatel Cheese, softened

2 Tbsp powdered sugar

1 tsp milk

Directions:

Combine all ingredients in a small bowl and whisk with a fork until smooth.

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Monkey Bread Muffins... quite possibly the best thing I've ever eaten!

These muffins are quite possibly the best thing I've ever eaten!... Did I really just say that?  Yes, I did!  These are without a doubt a-maz-ing!  I need a moment to pause life and take in everything this muffin has to offer while I pull apart one of it's delicate, tender, fluffy, buttery, crystallized sugar and cinnamon coated pieces and gently bite into it.  =)
I created these muffins because sadly I don't even own a bundt pan.  I know many monkey bread recipes use store-bought biscuit dough but I wanted these to be from scratch, isn't everything that much better when it's made from scratch?  For the dough base I started a very similar dough to the one I used for my 15 Minute Donuts from Scratch.
I won't lie, when I first pulled these out of the oven the presentation wasn't what I was looking for.  For me presentation is an important part of good food, so I thought, hmm what can I do to make them pretty?  Ah, yes indeed, glaze.  It adds a delicate touch to these delightful muffins.  Enjoy, try not to eat the whole pan at once =).
PS don't wash your muffin pan until you've eaten all those delicious cinnamon sugar chips off of it, yum!

Monkey Bread Muffins
Yields 12 muffins


Ingredients:
2 cups + 2 Tbsp all-purpose flour
3 Tbsp granulated sugar
1 Tbsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 cup buttermilk
1/3 cup milk
1/3 cup unsalted butter. melted
1/2 cup granulated sugar
6 Tbsp unsalted butter, melted
3/4 cup firmly packed light-brown sugar
2 tsp ground cinnamon


Glaze:
1/2 cup powdered sugar
1 Tbsp milk


Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Butter a muffin tin, set aside.  In a large mixing bowl whisk together flour, 3 Tbsp granulated sugar, baking powder and salt.  Pour buttermilk, 1/3 cup milk and melted butter into flour mixture.  Stir with a fork or clean hands just until mixture comes together (don't overmix, key to fluffy muffins).  
Pour 1/2 cup granulated sugar into a medium container that has a lid to cover.  Scoop dough out 1 even teaspoon at a time and drop into container in an even layer, working in batches (I fit 18 dough balls in at a time).  Then cover container with a lid and shake to coat.  Drop 6 sugar coated dough balls into each muffin cup.  Repeat this process until all muffin cups are filled.
Whisk together 6 Tbsp melted butter, brown sugar and cinnamon until well combine.  Pour about 1 scant Tbsp brown sugar mixture evenly over each muffin.  Place muffin tin on a cookie sheet and Bake 18-19 minutes until golden.  Allow to cool 5 minutes in muffin tin before removing muffins (I lifted mine out with a fork).
In a mixing bowl whisk together powdered sugar and 1 Tbsp milk until well blended.  Pour mixture into a piping bag or ziploc bag, snip a small tip off the end of the bag and drizzle glaze over each muffin.

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Cinnamon Roll Oatmeal

Who says healthy food can't taste absolutely, amazingly delicious?  This oatmeal is incredible!  I could eat it three meals a day =).  I was so in love with the banana oatmeal that I made last week (I've been eating it nearly every morning since) that I decided I wanted to try more variations on oatmeal because I'm suddenly an oatmeal lover.  So, I came up with this recipe.  This oatmeal tastes just like a cinnamon roll!  The incredible things about it are, it's much healthier, much quicker and it's even more figure friendly =).  You get all the goodness of a cinnamon roll in 5 minutes, rather than waiting around hours for those freshly baked, labor intensive rolls.  You'll even get a kitchen filled with the warm, reminiscent scent of cinnamon rolls.  Serve this up for your kids and it's likely you'll get them to eat their oatmeal everyday =).  Turn an oatmeal hater into an oatmeal lover with this Cinnamon Roll Oatmeal! 
        

Cinnamon Roll Oatmeal
Yields 1 serving


Ingredients:
1/2 cup Old Fashioned Oats
1/2 cup milk
1/2 cup water
1 Tbsp light-brown sugar
1/4 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp molasses
Pinch salt
1/2 Tbsp butter (optional)


Icing:
1 Tbsp Cream Cheese or Neufchatel Cheese, softened
1 Tbsp powdered sugar
1 tsp milk


Directions:
In a large microwave safe bowl, combine oats, milk, water, brown sugar, cinnamon, molasses, and salt.  Cook oatmeal mixture in the microwave for 3 1/2 minutes.  Remove from microwave, stir in optional butter and allow to cool several minutes.  Meanwhile, in a small bowl, using a fork, whisk together cream cheese, powdered sugar and milk until well blended. Drizzle or pipe icing over oatmeal (if you'd like to make the swirl as I did in the photos just make an light indentation in oatmeal with a chopstick, when it has cooled slightly, then pipe icing into indentation).  Sprinkle lightly with additional cinnamon if desired.  Serve warm. 
Additional serving suggestion: if you like chopped pecans or raisins in your cinnamon rolls feel free to sprinkle some in.

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Cinnamon Roll Rice Krispie Treats

My new favorite Rice Krispie Treat... these, Cinnamon Roll Rice Krispie Treats!  I love cinnamon rolls and I love Rice Krispie Treats so I had to find a way to combine the two, so I created these.  I love dressing up classics with a new and exciting twist.  I'd have to say I like these equally as much as cinnamon rolls (which is really saying something because a fresh warm cinnamon roll is one of my favorite foods).  The incredible thing about these is that they taste just like a cinnamon roll but they can be made in a tenth the amount of time it takes to make a cinnamon roll.  Bonus, they don't have nearly as many calories as a cinnamon roll.  You can make these two different ways, as pictured, or spread into one even layer and cut into squares.  Either way, completely and utterly delicious (I ate 3 just after making them, oops =)!   They are even incredibly good without the frosting.  These would also be good with chopped pecans sprinkled on top or folded in along with the cereal if you like nuts in cinnamon rolls.
You may also like to try Cookies and Cream Rice Krispie Treats, Rice Krispie Treats with oreos and white chocolate, cant go wrong with that =).

Cinnamon Roll Rice Krispie Treats

Yields 12 Rice Krispie Treats

Ingredients:
1/4 cup butter

1/8 tsp salt

2 tsp unsulphured molasses

2 tsp cinnamon

1 (10.5 oz) bag miniature marshmallows

1 tsp vanilla extract

6 cups Rice Krispies Cereal

1 recipe Cream Cheese Frosting (recipe follows)

Directions:

Butter a 9x13 dish, set aside.  Melt butter in a large saucepan over medium low heat.  Stir in salt, molasses, and cinnamon.  Add marshmallows and stir constantly until marshmallows have completely melted.  Remove from heat and stir in vanilla.  Fold in Rice Krispies Cereal, stirring until evenly coated.  Pour Rice Krispie Treat mixture into buttered dish.  Spread mixture evenly into pan with a buttered spatula.  Allow to cool several minutes, then cut while still slightly warm.  Using your hands, round edges of cut squares by cupping your hands around the edges and gently pressing.  Allow to cool completely then pipe Cream Cheese Frosting over tops of Cinnamon Roll Rice Krispie Treats.  Optional, dust the tops lightly with cinnamon.

Alternately, for a simpler method, simply spread Rice Krispie Treats mixture into buttered pan after folding in cereal.  Allow them to cool then spread Cream Cheese Frosting evenly over top with a butter knife or an icing spatula.  Cut into squares.

Cream Cheese Frosting

Ingredients: 

1/4 cup butter, softened

4 oz cream cheese, softened

1/2 tsp vanilla extract

2 cups powdered sugar

Directions:

In a mixing bowl, using an electric mixer, whip together butter and cream cheese until fluffy.  Stir in vanilla.  Slowly add in powdered sugar and mix until smooth and fluffy.

Note: if you don't like a lot of frosting then half the recipe for Cream Cheese Frosting is plenty.

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