If you love the comforting flavors of banana bread but crave a tender, crumbly texture paired with a buttery streusel topping, this Banana Bread Coffee Cake Recipe is going to become your new favorite! It beautifully merges the sweetness of ripe bananas with the warm touch of cinnamon and a delightful crumbly topping that adds a perfect crunch to every bite. Whether it’s for a cozy weekend breakfast, an afternoon treat with coffee, or even a simple dessert, this recipe strikes the perfect balance of moist, flavorful, and irresistibly inviting.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Creating this delicious Banana Bread Coffee Cake Recipe is wonderfully simple because the ingredients are humble yet essential. Each item brings something special—whether moisture, rise, or that unmistakable banana sweetness and cinnamon warmth that fills your kitchen.
- Mashed ripe bananas (1 ½ cups): They bring natural sweetness, moisture, and that signature banana flavor.
- All-purpose flour (2 cups plus ½ cup for streusel): The backbone that gives structure and a tender crumb.
- Baking soda (1 teaspoon): Helps the cake rise and become light.
- Baking powder (1 teaspoon): Adds extra lift and fluffiness.
- Salt (½ teaspoon): Balances sweetness and enhances flavors.
- Ground cinnamon (1 teaspoon plus 1 teaspoon for streusel): Brings warm spice that’s a perfect match for bananas.
- Unsalted butter (½ cup softened plus ¼ cup cold for streusel): Adds richness, tenderness, and a heavenly buttery crumb topping.
- Granulated sugar (¾ cup): Sweetens the cake and helps with texture.
- Brown sugar (¼ cup plus ½ cup for streusel): Adds deep molasses flavor and keeps the cake moist.
- Large eggs (2): Bind all the ingredients and add a little lift.
- Vanilla extract (1 teaspoon): Amplifies all the flavors beautifully.
- Sour cream (½ cup): Makes the cake irresistibly moist and tender with a slight tang.
How to Make Banana Bread Coffee Cake Recipe
Step 1: Prepare and Mix Dry Ingredients
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C) and greasing a 9×9-inch baking dish. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon. This mixture sets the stage with all your leavening agents and spices evenly combined for a consistent texture and flavor.
Step 2: Cream Butter and Sugars
In a large bowl, take your softened butter and beat it with granulated sugar and brown sugar until the mixture turns light and fluffy—this is crucial for a tender crumb and that melt-in-your-mouth goodness. The creamed sugars help trap air for a lighter cake.
Step 3: Add Eggs and Wet Ingredients
Add the eggs one at a time to the butter-sugar mixture, mixing well after each addition. Then fold in the mashed bananas, vanilla extract, and sour cream, ensuring everything comes together into a smooth, luscious batter packed with flavor and moisture.
Step 4: Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients
Slowly add the flour mixture to the wet ingredients, stirring gently just until combined. Be careful not to overmix here—this keeps the cake tender and avoids a dense, gummy texture.
Step 5: Assemble with Streusel Topping
Pour half the batter into your prepared baking dish. Then, mix the streusel ingredients—flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, and cold cubed butter—in a small bowl using a fork or pastry cutter until crumbly. Sprinkle half the streusel evenly over the batter. Next, spread the remaining batter, then top with the rest of the streusel. This layering ensures every bite has that wonderful crumbly contrast.
Step 6: Bake to Perfection
Bake the cake for 45 to 50 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. The aroma of cinnamon and bananas filling your home will tell you it’s almost ready! Let it cool slightly before serving to let the flavors settle.
How to Serve Banana Bread Coffee Cake Recipe
Garnishes
A light dusting of powdered sugar immediately lifts the look of your coffee cake and adds a sweet finish without overpowering those lovely banana and cinnamon notes. For a little extra fun, toast some chopped walnuts or pecans on top for an added crunch and nutty aroma. Fresh banana slices on the side also make a beautiful, tasty garnish.
Side Dishes
This Banana Bread Coffee Cake Recipe shines with a hot cup of your favorite coffee or tea, creating the perfect cozy pairing. For a heartier brunch, serve it alongside creamy scrambled eggs or a fresh fruit salad; the sweet cake and savory eggs balance each other marvelously.
Creative Ways to Present
Slice the coffee cake into squares and serve on fancy dessert plates for a brunch spread that impresses guests. Alternatively, layer slices with a dollop of whipped cream and berries to turn this humble favorite into an elegant dessert parfait. You can even serve warm slices with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a comforting after-dinner treat.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Once completely cooled, store leftover banana bread coffee cake wrapped tightly in plastic wrap or kept in an airtight container at room temperature. It will stay fresh and moist for up to 3 days — perfect for enjoying as morning treats or snacks during the week.
Freezing
You can freeze the whole cake or individual slices by wrapping them well in plastic and then placing in a freezer-safe bag or container. Frozen properly, it keeps wonderfully for up to 3 months. Just thaw overnight in the fridge to bring back that soft, comforting texture.
Reheating
For the best experience, reheat slices gently in the microwave for about 15–20 seconds or in a warm oven (around 300°F) for 10 minutes to revive that fresh-baked warmth and bring back the tender moistness. Enjoy it slightly warm with a touch of butter or cream cheese for an indulgent snack.
FAQs
Can I use overripe bananas for this cake?
Absolutely! In fact, overripe bananas with lots of brown spots are perfect because they’re sweeter and softer, which enhances both the flavor and texture of the cake.
Is it possible to substitute sour cream in this Banana Bread Coffee Cake Recipe?
Yes, you can swap sour cream for an equal amount of Greek yogurt or even buttermilk. Each will keep the cake moist while adding a subtle tang that pairs beautifully with the bananas.
Can I add nuts or chocolate chips to this recipe?
Definitely! Adding ½ cup of chopped walnuts, pecans, or chocolate chips to the batter adds a wonderful crunch or melty chocolate surprise that complements the cinnamon and banana flavors.
Why do I need both baking soda and baking powder?
The combination ensures the right rise and texture. Baking soda reacts with the acidic sour cream and bananas to lift the cake, while baking powder provides extra fluffiness for a tender crumb structure.
How do I prevent the streusel topping from sinking?
Mix the streusel until crumbly but not too fine, and sprinkle it evenly on the batter layers. Using cold butter in the streusel helps it retain its crumbly texture while baking, preventing it from sinking.
Final Thoughts
I truly hope you give this Banana Bread Coffee Cake Recipe a try because it’s one of those golden favorites that feels like a warm hug in dessert form. Its combination of moist banana goodness, cinnamon warmth, and that perfect crumbly topping never fails to bring smiles. Whether as a breakfast treat or an anytime snack, it’s a wonderful way to celebrate the simple joys of baking. Happy baking and even happier savoring!
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Banana Bread Coffee Cake Recipe
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 9 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This Banana Bread Coffee Cake is a delightful blend of moist banana bread and crumbly streusel topping, perfect for breakfast or dessert. The cake features ripe mashed bananas combined with warm cinnamon and a tender crumb, topped with a buttery cinnamon streusel for added texture and flavor.
Ingredients
For the Cake:
- 1 ½ cups mashed ripe bananas (about 3 bananas)
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ cup unsalted butter (softened)
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ cup sour cream
For the Streusel Topping:
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
- ½ cup brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ cup unsalted butter (cold and cubed)
Instructions
- Prepare the Oven and Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9×9-inch baking dish to ensure the cake doesn’t stick.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon to evenly distribute the leavening agents and spice.
- Cream Butter and Sugars: In a large bowl, use a mixer to cream the softened butter with the granulated sugar and brown sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy, which helps create a tender cake texture.
- Add Eggs and Wet Ingredients: Beat in the eggs one at a time to the butter mixture, then gently stir in the mashed bananas, vanilla extract, and sour cream until all is well combined.
- Combine Dry and Wet Ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredient mixture into the wet ingredients, mixing just until combined to prevent overworking the batter.
- Layer Batter and Streusel: Pour half of the batter into the prepared pan. Then, in a small bowl, mix together the streusel ingredients with a fork or pastry cutter until crumbly. Sprinkle half of the streusel mixture over the batter, add the remaining batter on top, and finish by evenly sprinkling the remaining streusel over the cake.
- Bake the Cake: Bake in the preheated oven for 45–50 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Cool and Serve: Let the cake cool slightly before slicing and serving for the best texture and flavor.
Notes
- You can add ½ cup chopped walnuts or chocolate chips to the batter for extra flavor and texture.
- Greek yogurt can be used as a substitute for sour cream to make a lighter version.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Breakfast, Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
