Banana Bread Cinnamon Rolls

Over the weekend, I had overly ripe bananas that needed attention, but I was tired of turning them into bread or muffins.  BOR-ING!  Okay, not boring, delicious, but I've been there done that, you know?  I wanted something new and exciting, so I probably googled something like "bananas baking new and exciting" (not really) and that's when I found this recipe for Banana Bread Cinnamon Rolls! I was sold.  I adapted them slightly because the recipe was vegan, and I'm a fan of dairy and gluten and sugar and all of those yummy things.  I actually have a cold and my tastebuds are making everything taste the same (which is a horrible, horrible thing when you love food as much as I do), but I've had several people, including my son, vouch for their deliciousness.  They were also very simple to make!  Next time your bananas turn brown, remember this recipe...

p.s. My kids and I die laughing every time we watch this clip.

Banana Bread Cinnamon Rolls w/ Cream Cheese Glaze
Makes 10-12 rolls
Printable recipe

For rolls:

1 cup whole milk
7 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided
1 pkg. active dry yeast
1/2 cup mashed bananas (2 ripe bananas)
1/4 cup + 1 tablespoon granulated sugar, divided
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
Olive or canola oil
1/4 cup brown sugar
1 tablespoon cinnamon (or more)

For glaze:

1 cup powdered sugar
2 tablespoons softened cream cheese
2 tablespoons milk

Heat the milk and 3 tablespoons of the butter in a small saucepan over medium-low heat.  Once butter has melted, remove from heat and let cool slightly (you want it to be warm to the touch, but not hot).  Transfer to a large mixing bowl, and then sprinkle the yeast over the milk and butter mixture.  Let sit for 10 minutes.  Then add the mashed bananas, 1 tablespoon of sugar and the salt, and stir.  Slowly add the flour, 1/2 cup at a time, until a springy dough is formed.  On a lightly-floured surface, remove dough and knead for a minute or two.  Rinse out mixing bowl, and coat with olive or canola oil.  Form dough into a ball and place in bowl, seam-side down.  Cover with plastic wrap and let sit for an hour until dough doubles in size.  Remove from bowl, and again on a lightly-floured surface, roll out dough to a large rectangle, about 1/4 inch thick.  Melt the rest of the butter in the microwave, and then pour over dough.  Sprinkle with remaining granulated sugar, brown sugar and cinnamon.  Starting with the shorter end, roll into a log, seam-side down.  Using a serrated knife, cut into rolls, and place in a round (or square) lightly-greased cake pan.  Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.  Once preheated, bake rolls for 28-30 minutes.  While rolls are baking, whisk glaze ingredients together.  Pour over baked rolls, and enjoy!