Banana Coffee Cake Recipe with Streusel Topping

Today, I have a story for you about how I created this Banana Coffee Cake Recipe with Streusel Topping.

When we first moved into our home, a long-time resident of the subdivision brought over a warm loaf of banana bread. And after devouring just one slice, I asked her for the recipe, and she kindly obliged. Her recipe became my "go-to" for making banana bread whenever I had overripe bananas.

It's so good that it made me wonder how it would be if I made a banana coffee cake recipe using her recipe as a starting point. And that's how this Banana Coffee Cake Recipe came to be.

This Banana Coffee Cake perfectly balances sweet banana flavor and warm cinnamon notes. The crumbly streusel topping adds a satisfying crunch to every bite, while the moist cake base keeps you coming back for more. Plus, it's incredibly easy to make, requiring just a handful of simple ingredients you likely already have in your pantry.

If you have a bunch of bananas that are starting to get black spots and need to be used, there are so many recipes that you might like, including my 3-Ingredient Banana Oatmeal Cookies, Banana Pudding with Cream Cheese, or a quick and easy banana Bread Recipe with Pancake Mix. 

Why You'll Love This Banana Bread Coffee Cake

• Authentic Bakery Flavor - This banana coffee cake recipe captures the essence of irresistible bakery-style treats, delivering a moist and flavorful crumb. The banana flavor isn't overpowering; adding the streusel layer gives the cake a cinnamon swirl. 
• Easy to Make - Although this might be one of the best coffee cake recipes I've made, it's so easy to make and uses pantry staple items that you probably already have, eliminating a trip to the grocery store.
• It's One of My Favorite Breakfast Treats -This cake is a perfect blend of moist banana bread and tender coffee cake, topped with a buttery streusel crumb that will have you coming back for seconds (and maybe even thirds!). Whether you're enjoying a slice alongside your morning coffee or serving it as a sweet treat for brunch, this easy recipe will surely become a favorite in your household.

Banana Coffee Cake vs. Banana Bread

While both banana coffee cake and banana bread feature ripe, mashed bananas as a key ingredient and can feature a streusel topping, they differ mainly in texture. When you slice a loaf of banana bread, the pieces have a dense, uniform texture. It's moist but has a firm structure and doesn't crumble easily. Banana coffee cake typically has a tender and moist crumb, similar to traditional coffee cake. Like this recipe, it may incorporate ingredients like sour cream or yogurt to achieve this texture. 

For me, I love making the coffee cake version when I am hosting company because then I can cut uniform pieces that can be served. Banana bread just seems more casual to me because we often grab a slice for a snack on the go.

Substitutions

• Greek yogurt can be used instead of sour cream for a similar tangy flavor and moisture. However, sour cream has a higher fat content, so the coffee cake won't be as moist when using Greek yogurt.
• Dark Brown Sugar can be used in place of light brown sugar. The bread will have a more caramel-flavored profile.
• Vanilla Extract can be used in place of the vanilla bean paste.

Variations

• Chopped Nuts - Like a loaf of banana bread, chopped nuts can be added to this easy banana coffee cake. 
• Chocolate Chips - Stir a handful or two to twist this tender banana cake. I love the combination of chocolate and banana!

Ingredients

*For specific ingredient amounts, please scroll down to the bottom of this post for the full printable recipe card.

How to Make This Banana Crumb Cake Recipe

Step 1. Make The Batter. Preheat the oven to 350℉. Line a 9” x 9” with parchment paper and spray with cooking spray. Set aside. Combine butter, sugar, and eggs in a large mixing bowl with a hand mixer.   Sift the flour, soda, and salt together in a separate bowl. Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and mix. The batter will be very thick. Add two large bananas, sour cream, and vanilla bean paste, and mix until combined. Set aside.

Step 2. Make the Crumble Topping. Add sugar, brown sugar, cinnamon, and cubed butter to a medium bowl and combine with a pastry cutter until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Set aside.

Step 3. Add it to the Pan. Pour about half of the banana cake batter into the prepared pan and smooth it into a thin, even layer, spreading it to the sides of the pan with a rubber spatula. Sprinkle about half of the crumb mixture on top of the batter. Use a large spoon to place dollops of the remaining batter on top, and then spread it into a thin layer. It’s okay if some of the streusel pokes through. Top with the remaining streusel. Bake for 40-45 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

Step 4. Add the Glaze. Cool the coffee cake completely before adding the glaze. To make the glaze whisk the powdered sugar and milk together in a small bowl until smooth. You can add more milk to achieve the desired consistency. Drizzle over cut pieces of coffee cake right before serving.

Storage and Freezing

To keep your coffee cake fresh, store it in an airtight container at room temperature for 2-3 days. 

To freeze this cake, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and place it in an airtight freezer bag or storage container. You can also wrap slices individually so they can be thawed for an on-the-go, perfect breakfast. Thaw at room temperature.

Pro Tip

I find that it's easier to add the large bananas to the mixing bowl and use the electric mixer to mash them instead of mashing them first. It saves a step.

When making the streusel topping, it’s crucial to use cold, cubed butter. This ensures that the mixture retains its crumbly texture during baking, resulting in those irresistible large crumbs we all love. Trust me, it's the secret to achieving the perfect crumb topping every time!

Notes/FAQs

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Banana Coffee Cake Recipe

This cake is a perfect blend of moist banana bread and tender coffee cake, topped with a buttery streusel crumb that will have you coming back for seconds (and maybe even thirds!). Whether you're enjoying a slice alongside your morning coffee or serving it as a sweet treat for brunch, this easy recipe will surely become a favorite in your household.

5 from 2 votes

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 45 minutes mins

Total Time 1 hour hr

Course breakfast, dessert

Cuisine American

Servings 16

Calories 265 kcal

Equipment

• Mixing Bowls
• Pastry Cutter
• Electric Mixer
• 9" x 9" pan
• parchment paper
• Whisk
• Sifter

Ingredients

  

1x2x3x

• ½ cup unsalted butter room temp
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1 cup mashed ripe bananas about 2 large bananas (*see notes)
• ½ cup sour cream
• 1 teaspoon vanilla bean paste or extract

Streusel Topping

• ¾ cup all-purpose flour
• ¼ cup granulated sugar
• ¼ cup light brown sugar packed
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 6 Tablespoons unsalted butter COLD and cubed

Glaze

• ½ cup powdered sugar
• 1 Tablespoon milk

Instructions

 

• Preheat the oven to 350℉. Line a 9” x 9” with parchment paper and spray with cooking spray. Set aside.
• Combine butter, sugar, and eggs in a large mixing bowl with a hand mixer.
• Sift the flour, soda, and salt together in a separate bowl. Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and mix. The batter will be very thick.
• Add two large bananas, sour cream, and vanilla bean paste and mix until combined. Set aside.
• To make the crumble topping, add sugar, brown sugar, cinnamon, and cubed butter to a medium bowl and combine with a pastry cutter until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Set aside.
• Pour about half of the banana cake batter into the prepared pan and smooth it into a thin, even layer, spreading it to the sides of the pan with a rubber spatula.
• Sprinkle about half of the crumb mixture on top of the batter.
• Use a large spoon to place dollops of the remaining batter on top, and then spread it into a thin layer. It’s okay if some of the streusel pokes through.
• Top with the remaining streusel. Bake for 40-45 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
• Cool the coffee cake completely before adding the glaze. To make the glaze whisk the powdered sugar and milk together in a small bowl until smooth. You can add more milk to achieve the desired consistency. Drizzle over cut pieces of coffee cake right before serving.

Notes

Storage and Freezing

To keep your coffee cake fresh, store it in an airtight container at room temperature for 2-3 days. 

To freeze this cake, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and place it in an airtight freezer bag or storage container. You can also wrap slices individually so they can be thawed for an on-the-go, perfect breakfast. Thaw at room temperature.

Pro Tip

I find that it's easier to add the large bananas to the mixing bowl and use the electric mixer to mash them instead of mashing them first. It saves a step.

When making the streusel topping, it’s crucial to use cold, cubed butter. This ensures that the mixture retains its crumbly texture during baking, resulting in those irresistible large crumbs we all love. Trust me, it's the secret to achieving the perfect crumb topping every time!

For more tips and tricks, please see complete blog post.

Nutrition

Serving: 1pieceCalories: 265kcalCarbohydrates: 37gProtein: 3gFat: 12gSaturated Fat: 7gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 3gTrans Fat: 0.4gCholesterol: 51mgSodium: 227mgPotassium: 46mgFiber: 1gSugar: 23gVitamin A: 385IUVitamin C: 0.1mgCalcium: 21mgIron: 1mg

Keyword banana bread coffee cake, banana coffee cake recipe

Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

Natalie Booras