Banana Bread Cinnamon Roll Cake with Brown Butter Cream Cheese Frosting

Ingredients

• 0.75 cup whole milk (Lukewarm)
• 2.25 tsp active dry yeast
• 0.25 cup granulated sugar
• 0.25 cup unsalted butter (Melted and cooled slightly; for the dough)
• 1 large egg (Room temperature)
• 2.75 cup all-purpose flour (Spoon and level)
• 1 tsp salt (For the dough)
• 4 tbsp unsalted butter (Softened; for the filling)
• 0.5 cup brown sugar (For the filling)
• 1.5 tsp ground cinnamon
• 0.5 tsp vanilla extract (For the filling)
• 0.25 tsp ground nutmeg
• salt (Pinch, for the filling)
• 1 small ripe banana (Divided; mash half and slice the remaining half)
• 4 tbsp unsalted butter (Softened; for browning in the frosting)
• 4 oz cream cheese (Softened)
• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 1 tsp vanilla extract (For the frosting)
• 1 tbsp heavy cream or milk (Add as needed, 1 tablespoon at a time)
• salt (Pinch, for the frosting)

Steps

1. 1

   Warm the milk until lukewarm. Stir it together with the granulated sugar and active dry yeast. Let the mixture stand for 5–10 minutes, until the yeast becomes foamy.

2. 2

   In a large bowl or stand mixer, combine the milk mixture, melted slightly cooled butter, and egg. Lightly beat just enough for the egg to separate into the mixture.

3. 3

   Add the flour and dough salt. Mix until a dough forms, then knead for 5–7 minutes, until smooth and elastic.

4. 4

   Place the dough in a lightly greased bowl, cover it, and let it rise in a warm place for 1–1½ hours, or until doubled in size.

5. 5

   Make the filling by mixing the softened butter, brown sugar, cinnamon, vanilla, nutmeg, and a pinch of salt until smooth.

6. 6

   Mash half of the banana very well in a separate bowl, then mix it into the filling. Slice the remaining half of the banana and set it aside.

7. 7

   Grease a 9-inch springform pan and line the bottom with parchment paper.

8. 8

   Once the dough has doubled, gently punch it down and roll it into an approximately 12 × 16-inch rectangle.

9. 9

   Spread the banana cinnamon-butter filling evenly over the dough, leaving a small border around the edges.

10. 10

    Arrange the sliced banana in an even layer over the filling.

11. 11

    Using a sharp knife or pizza cutter, cut the filled dough into long strips; the source uses 12 strips.

12. 12

    Take the first strip and roll it tightly into a spiral. Wrap the next strip around the first, continuing until all the strips form one large spiral. Keep the spiral snug but not compressed, and do not stretch the strips as you wrap them.

13. 13

    Place the giant cinnamon roll in the prepared springform pan. Cover it loosely and let it rise for 45–60 minutes, or until the dough looks noticeably puffy and airy.

14. 14

    Preheat the oven to 350°F.

15. 15

    Bake for approximately 35–40 minutes, or until the center and middle rings are fully baked. If the top begins browning too quickly, loosely tent the cake with foil.

16. 16

    Let the cake cool in the pan for about 15 minutes.

17. 17

    For the frosting, place the softened butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. Cook, stirring occasionally, until it melts, foams, and develops golden-brown bits with a nutty aroma.

18. 18

    Immediately transfer the browned butter to a heatproof bowl and let it cool to room temperature; it should not be hot enough to melt the cream cheese.

19. 19

    Beat the cooled brown butter and softened cream cheese together until completely smooth and fluffy.

20. 20

    Gradually mix in the powdered sugar, followed by the vanilla and a pinch of salt.

21. 21

    Add the heavy cream or milk 1 tablespoon at a time until the frosting is smooth and spreadable.

22. 22

    Spread the frosting generously over the slightly warm banana bread cinnamon roll cake and serve.

Notes

The source does not specify the exact greasing ingredient or amount for the bowl and pan. Bake until the center and middle rings are fully baked; no internal temperature is provided. The frosting quantity is given as 1–2 tablespoons of heavy cream or milk as needed, so the lower amount is represented in the ingredient quantity and the upper amount as the alternative quantity.

Nutrition per serving

• dessert
• baked
• fall baking
• cinnamon roll
• banana bread
• yeast-raised
• vegetarian