Banana nut muffins are such a wonderful smell baking! Sundays are a great day to bake up a batch or 2 of muffins for breakfast. They are so good with just a touch of butter and maybe some honey. But in addition to having these delicious banana nut muffins for Sunday breakfast, we now have snacks for the week.

a dozen banana nut muffins in a muffin pan with a napkin and bananas laying next to them — BANANA NUT MUFFINS

If you are finding your self sleeping in just a few more snooze alarms than you should, these muffins are a great grab and go for eating when you get to work, or between classes. They store great in one big bag or put them in small bags for lunches, or the snack drawer! I like to heat them up for about 30 seconds to bring the banana flavors to life.

We make these banana nut muffins with roasted walnuts. Roasting the walnuts gives them a more intense flavor, and they are just so crunchy! You could do the same for pecans. Pecans have a higher burn factor so keep an eye on them when you roast them!

Making Cinnamon Rolls: A Step-by-Step Guide

Preparing the Dough:

Activate the Yeast: Begin by whisking the yeast into warm milk and letting it sit for 3-4 minutes. This step helps to activate the yeast, ensuring your dough will rise properly.
Mix the Dry Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, salt, and sugar.
Blend the Wet Ingredients: Whisk together the eggs and melted butter, then mix them into the milk and yeast mixture.
Form the Dough: Gradually pour the wet ingredients over the dry ingredients, stirring until the dough comes together. A firm rubber spatula or plastic bench scraper can be particularly useful for this step.
Knead the Dough: Once the dough has formed, transfer it to a lightly floured surface. Knead it gently for about 3-4 minutes until it becomes firm but still slightly sticky.
Let the Dough Rise: Lightly oil a large bowl and place the dough inside. Cover it with a damp dish towel and let it rise in a warm place for about 1 hour, or until it has doubled in size.

Making the Filling:

Mix the Filling Ingredients: Combine brown sugar and cinnamon in a medium bowl. Hold off on preparing the apples until you’re ready to assemble the rolls to prevent browning.
Prepare the Apples: When you’re ready to roll out the dough, core, peel, and chop the apples into bite-sized cubes.

Assembling the Cinnamon Rolls:

Roll Out the Dough: Transfer the risen dough onto a lightly floured surface. Use a rolling pin to roll it into a rectangle.
Add the Butter: Spread the softened butter evenly over the dough. I find that using my hands makes this step easier.
Add the Filling: Sprinkle the brown sugar mixture over the butter, leaving one edge free of filling. Evenly distribute the apple pieces over the dough.
Roll the Dough: Starting from the long side, tightly roll up the dough, tucking in the ends as you go. Slice the roll into 12 equal pieces.
Prepare for Baking: Arrange the rolls in a greased 9×13 baking pan. Cover them with plastic wrap that has been sprayed with oil. Allow the rolls to rise for about 1 hour, or until nearly doubled in size.

Baking the Cinnamon Rolls:

Preheat the Oven: Set your oven to 375°F (190°C).
Prepare the Cream: Warm the heavy cream slightly. After the rolls have risen, pour the cream over the top, allowing it to soak down and around the rolls.
Bake: Place the rolls in the oven and bake for 20-22 minutes, rotating the pan halfway through. If the rolls begin to brown too quickly, cover them loosely with foil. Depending on your oven and the size of the rolls, baking may take up to 30 minutes.

Making the Frosting:

Blend the Ingredients: In a medium mixing bowl, use a hand or stand mixer to blend the softened cream cheese and butter until smooth.
Add the Sugar: Gradually mix in the powdered sugar.
Finish with Vanilla and Cream: Add vanilla extract and enough cream to achieve your desired frosting consistency. Once the rolls are warm but not too hot, generously spread the frosting on top.

Enjoy your homemade cinnamon rolls! The combination of the sweet cinnamon filling, tender apples, and creamy frosting makes for an irresistible treat.

Cream cheese: Adds tangy richness that balances the sweetness of the rolls.
Salted butter: Enhances the creamy texture and flavor of the frosting.
Powdered sugar: Sweetens the frosting and gives it a smooth, silky finish.
Vanilla extract: Adds warmth and depth to the flavor.
Heavy cream or half and half: Helps achieve the perfect creamy consistency.

You will want to start the dough when you get up to allow to proof. Once you roll them out, fill them and slice them you can let them rise while you go to the grocery store, or relax and read the paper.

apple cinnamon rolls covered in plastic wrap

Why you will love making this New York bagel recipe at home:

1. Superior Freshness and Quality

Fresh Ingredients: When you make New York bagels at home, you have control over the ingredients, ensuring that they are fresh and high-quality. This results in bagels that are fresher and often superior in taste and texture compared to store-bought versions.
Customizable Flavors: You can experiment with different types of flour, toppings, and add-ins to create unique flavor combinations that you might not find in commercial bagels. This customization allows you to tailor the bagels to your personal preferences.

2. Mastering Traditional Techniques

Boiling and Baking: The process of making New York-style bagels involves boiling the dough before baking, which gives the bagels their characteristic chewy texture and shiny crust. Mastering this traditional technique can be a satisfying culinary achievement.
Learning and Sharing: Making bagels from scratch can be a fun and educational experience, whether you’re baking alone or with family and friends. It’s a great way to learn more about baking and share the joy of homemade goods with loved ones.

3. Sense of Accomplishment and Enjoyment

Homemade Delight: There’s a unique satisfaction that comes from making something from scratch. Enjoying a warm, freshly baked bagel that you’ve made yourself can be incredibly rewarding.
Creative Process: Baking can be a therapeutic and creative outlet. Shaping the dough, choosing toppings, and watching your bagels come to life in the oven can be a delightful and stress-relieving process.

By making New York City-style bagels at home, you can enjoy the superior taste of fresh, high-quality bagels, master traditional baking techniques, and experience the joy and satisfaction of creating something delicious from scratch.

Making homemade bagels might seem daunting, but with this detailed new york style bagel recipe, you’ll be able to bring the taste of New York City into your own kitchen. Whether you enjoy your bagels plain, topped with sesame seeds, or slathered in cream cheese, these homemade bagels are sure to impress. Next time you’re craving a chewy bagel with a crisp exterior, skip the grocery store and try this recipe instead. Happy baking!