BRIOCHE DOUGH

1. Place the lukewarm milk, 1 Tbsp of the sugar, and the yeast in a medium sized bowl, and stir to combine. Leave for 10-15 minutes, or until foamy.
2. In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the dough hook attachment, place the flour, salt, and remaining sugar, and mix briefly to combine.
3. Add the milk mixture, egg and vanilla to the dry ingredients, and mix on low for 2-3 minutes. Increase the speed of the mixer to medium, and mix for a further 5 minutes.
4. Add the butter a little at a time, waiting until it is incorporated until adding the next piece. Mix for a further 7-10 minutes, until the dough is smooth and soft.
5. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and place in a warm place until doubled in size, 45 minutes to an hour. Alternatively you can do the first rise overnight in the fridge - see notes. I prefer either a 2-3 hour fridge rise or an overnight so the dough is cold and easy to work with.

FILLING AND ASSEMBLY

1. Line a quarter sheet pan or baking dish (9”x13” or 23cm x 33cm) with parchment paper, or grease well.
2. Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface, and roll into a rectangle that is 24” x 16” (60cm x 40cm), squaring off the edges often as you roll.
3. Spread with the chocolate hazelnut spread, ensuring the filling is spread evenly over the surface. Add the bananas evenly over the surface and sprinkle with the hazelnuts.
4. Starting with a long side, roll up into a tight spiral. Cut the log into two pieces and place them side by side on a sheet pan lined with parchment paper and lightly sprayed with cooking spray. Lightly cover the dough logs with plastic wrap, and transfer to the freezer for 20 minutes in order to firm up slightly (this helps give a neater cut).
5. Once the dough logs have chilled, remove from the fridge. Using a sharp serrated knife, slice each log into 6 equal pieces (I like to use a ruler), and arrange on the prepared baking sheet or baking dish, evenly spacing between.
6. Lightly cover the pan with plastic wrap, and leave to rise for 45 minutes to an hour, or until puffy, and a small indentation is left when poked gently with your finger.
7. While the rolls are rising, preheat the oven to 350°f / 180°c.
8. Bake the rolls for 35 to 40 minutes, or until deeply golden brown. Remove from the oven and allow to stand for 15 minutes or so before icing with the Chocolate Cream Cheese Frosting.

CHOCOLATE CREAM CHEESE FROSTING

1. Place the butter and cream cheese in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment. Mix on medium speed until well combined. Add in the powdered sugar, cocoa, vanilla bean paste, and salt and whip until light and fluffy.
2. Spread onto the cinnamon rolls while they are still slightly warm.
3. Store leftover cinnamon rolls in an airtight container at room temperature. Rewarm in the microwave before serving.