If you adore the cozy flavors of banana blended with a hint of warm cinnamon, you are in for an absolute treat with this Banana Donuts with Cinnamon Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe. These donuts are light, fluffy, and bursting with natural banana sweetness, perfectly complemented by a dreamy cream cheese frosting dusted with cinnamon. They’re just the kind of homemade comfort food that brightens up any morning or afternoon snack time, and once you try them, you’ll want to make them again and again.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This recipe calls for simple, pantry-friendly ingredients that come together to create an irresistibly delicious donut. Each component plays an important role, whether it’s the flour giving structure, the banana adding moistness and flavor, or the cinnamon bringing that warm autumnal note that elevates everything.
- 2 cups flour: The foundation for these donuts, providing structure and a tender crumb.
- 2 teaspoons baking powder: The leavening agent that ensures a light and fluffy texture.
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon: A warming spice that infuses both the donuts and frosting with cozy flavor.
- 1/8 teaspoon salt: Balances the sweetness and enhances overall taste.
- 1 cup milk: Adds moisture and helps create a tender donut.
- 1 egg, beaten: Binds the ingredients and contributes to the donut’s light texture.
- 2 tablespoons butter: Adds richness and a subtle depth of flavor.
- 1-1/4 cups sugar: Sweetens the donut just right without overpowering the banana.
- 1 large banana, mashed: Naturally sweet and moistens the dough, infusing the donuts with flavor and softness.
- Nonstick cooking spray: Prevents sticking and helps the donuts release easily from the pans.
- Banana chips, rough chopped: Adds a delightful crunch and garnishes the finished donuts beautifully.
- 6 ounces cream cheese, softened: The creamy base of the luscious frosting.
- 2 tablespoons plain Greek yogurt: Adds tang and a silky smooth texture to the frosting.
- 1-1/2 to 2 cups confectioners’ sugar: Sweetens and thickens the frosting to your preferred consistency.
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon: Gives the frosting extra depth and a perfectly paired spice note.
How to Make Banana Donuts with Cinnamon Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe
Step 1: Prepare Your Oven and Donut Pans
Start by preheating your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. While it warms up, lightly spray two donut pans with nonstick cooking spray. This little step will ensure your donuts come out perfectly without sticking, making cleanup so much easier.
Step 2: Mix Dry Ingredients
In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt. This creates your dry base, distributing the baking powder and spices evenly for a consistent, flavorful donut.
Step 3: Combine Wet Ingredients
In a separate medium bowl, mix the milk, beaten egg, melted butter, sugar, and mashed banana. Whisk together until fully incorporated and try to smooth out the banana as much as possible. This mixture adds moisture, sweetness, and that unbeatable banana flavor.
Step 4: Bring Wet and Dry Ingredients Together
Create a well in the center of your dry ingredients and slowly add the wet mixture in two batches, stirring with a wooden spoon until just combined. Overmixing can make the donuts dense, so stop as soon as the batter is uniform.
Step 5: Pipe the Batter into the Donut Pans
Transfer your batter to a pastry bag or a zippered plastic bag, snipping off the tip of one corner. Pipe the batter evenly into the donut pans, filling each about three-quarters full to allow room for rising.
Step 6: Bake Until Golden and Done
Bake in the preheated oven for 10 to 12 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. The kitchen will start smelling amazing—your bananas and cinnamon are doing their magic.
Step 7: Cool Donuts Before Frosting
Once baked, let the donuts rest in their pans for a few minutes, then gently transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely. Frosting warm donuts can cause it to melt and slide off, so patience here pays off!
Step 8: Prepare the Cinnamon Cream Cheese Frosting
In a mixing bowl, blend the softened cream cheese with the Greek yogurt until smooth and creamy. Gradually add the confectioners’ sugar to achieve your desired sweetness and thickness, then mix in the cinnamon. Adjust the consistency by adding more sugar to thicken or more yogurt to loosen as needed.
Step 9: Frost and Garnish Your Donuts
Spread the luscious frosting generously over your cooled donuts. Sprinkle rough chopped banana chips on top for an extra pop of crunch and a gorgeous finish that’s as tasty as it is beautiful.
How to Serve Banana Donuts with Cinnamon Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe
Garnishes
Besides the crunchy banana chips used here, you can sprinkle a tiny pinch of ground cinnamon or dust the donuts lightly with extra confectioners’ sugar for a delicate sweet finish. These small touches add visual appeal and enhance that signature cinnamon flavor.
Side Dishes
These donuts pair wonderfully with a hot cup of coffee, chai tea, or even a glass of cold milk. If serving brunch, consider fresh fruit or a simple yogurt parfait on the side to complement the rich cream cheese frosting and banana flavors.
Creative Ways to Present
For a party or festive breakfast spread, serve these donuts stacked on a pretty cake stand with a bowl of extra cinnamon cream cheese frosting for dipping. You can also drizzle with a bit of honey or maple syrup and sprinkle chopped nuts for added texture and sweetness.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store any leftover banana donuts in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. The frosting’s cream cheese base requires cool storage to keep it fresh and safe to enjoy.
Freezing
You can freeze unfrosted donuts by wrapping them individually in plastic wrap and placing them in a freezer-safe bag. They’ll keep well for up to one month. Thaw completely at room temperature before frosting and serving.
Reheating
To enjoy your donuts warm, reheat them briefly in a microwave for about 15 seconds or in a 300-degree oven for a few minutes. Add frosting after warming to get that perfectly melty, creamy bite.
FAQs
Can I use overripe bananas for this recipe?
Absolutely! Overripe bananas are perfect because they’re sweeter and easier to mash, which adds natural moisture and flavor to your banana donuts.
What can I substitute for Greek yogurt in the frosting?
You can use sour cream or even a bit of heavy cream to achieve a similar tang and creamy texture if you don’t have Greek yogurt on hand.
Is it necessary to use a pastry bag for piping the batter?
Not at all! You can spoon the batter into the donut pans, but a pastry bag helps fill them neatly and evenly with less mess.
How do I know when the donuts are done baking?
They’re ready when a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean or with just a few moist crumbs attached. This ensures the donuts are fully cooked but still moist.
Can I make these donuts vegan?
With some ingredient swaps like using plant-based milk, a flax egg, and vegan butter, you can veganize this recipe, but the frosting may need more adjustments to remain creamy without cream cheese.
Final Thoughts
There’s something undeniably comforting about homemade banana donuts, especially when topped with luscious cinnamon cream cheese frosting. This Banana Donuts with Cinnamon Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe is simple enough for any home baker yet special enough to become a beloved staple. Treat yourself and your loved ones to the warm embrace of these donuts—you won’t regret that sweet decision!
Print
Banana Donuts with Cinnamon Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe
- Prep Time: 12 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Total Time: 32 minutes
- Yield: 12 donuts
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Delight in these moist and flavorful Banana Donuts topped with a creamy Cinnamon Cream Cheese Frosting. Made with ripe bananas and warm cinnamon, these baked treats offer the perfect balance of sweetness and spice, complemented by a tangy frosting and crunchy banana chip garnish.
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 2 cups flour
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/8 teaspoon salt
Wet Ingredients
- 1 cup milk
- 1 egg, beaten
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1–1/4 cups sugar
- 1 large banana, mashed
Frosting Ingredients
- 6 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 2 tablespoons plain Greek yogurt
- 1–1/2 to 2 cups confectioners’ sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon, more or less to taste
Additional
- Nonstick cooking spray
- Banana chips, roughly chopped, for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Pans: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Lightly spray two donut pans with nonstick cooking spray and set aside.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt until well combined.
- Mix Wet Ingredients: In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the milk, beaten egg, melted butter, sugar, and mashed banana until smooth and fully incorporated, ensuring the banana is well mashed.
- Incorporate Mixtures: Make a well in the center of the dry ingredients. Add the wet mixture in two batches, stirring gently with a wooden spoon until just combined to avoid overmixing.
- Fill Donut Pans: Transfer the batter to a pastry bag or a sealable plastic bag, cutting off a corner. Pipe the batter into the prepared donut pans, filling each about 3/4 full.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center of a donut comes out clean.
- Cool Donuts: Allow the donuts to cool in the pans for a few minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely before frosting.
- Prepare Frosting: In a bowl, beat together the softened cream cheese and Greek yogurt until smooth. Gradually add confectioners’ sugar, mixing well after each addition until desired sweetness and consistency are achieved. Stir in cinnamon to taste.
- Adjust Frosting Consistency: If the frosting is too thick, add small amounts of Greek yogurt (about 1/2 tablespoon at a time) until it reaches spreadable consistency. If too thin, add more confectioners’ sugar.
- Frost Donuts and Garnish: Spread the cinnamon cream cheese frosting over the cooled donuts and sprinkle with roughly chopped banana chips for added texture and flavor.
Notes
- For best results, use ripe bananas for natural sweetness and moisture.
- Do not overmix the batter to keep the donuts light and tender.
- If a piping bag is not available, use a resealable plastic bag with a small cut corner.
- Donuts are best served the same day but can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Allow donuts to cool completely before frosting to prevent melting and sogginess.
