If you love the comforting flavors of banana bread and the crumbly sweetness of coffee cake, then this Banana Bread Coffee Cake Recipe is your new best friend in the kitchen. It’s a delightful treat that captures the best of both worlds, offering moist, banana-infused cake beneath a buttery, cinnamon-packed streusel topping, finished with a simple vanilla glaze. Whether you’re baking for breakfast, brunch, or a cozy afternoon snack, this recipe brings warmth, sweetness, and just the right amount of indulgence in every bite.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Gathering the right ingredients is the first exciting step to creating this scrumptious Banana Bread Coffee Cake Recipe. Each one plays a crucial role in building layers of flavor and texture that make this cake irresistible.
- Unsalted butter (softened): Provides a rich, creamy base that keeps your cake moist and tender.
- Granulated sugar: Adds sweetness and helps with the cake’s delicate crumb.
- Brown sugar: Imbues the cake and streusel topping with deep caramel notes.
- Large eggs: Bind the ingredients and contribute to the cake’s structure.
- Vanilla extract: Enhances the overall sweetness with a warm, aromatic touch.
- Mashed ripe bananas: The star of the show, they infuse moisture and natural sweetness.
- Sour cream or Greek yogurt: Adds slight tanginess and keeps the texture soft.
- All-purpose flour: The foundation of the cake’s structure and crumb.
- Baking soda: Leavens the cake, making it rise beautifully and stay light.
- Salt: Balances the sweetness and enhances all the flavors.
- Cinnamon: Spices up the streusel topping with warm, comforting flavor.
- Powdered sugar: For the glaze, providing a sweet finishing touch.
- Milk: Thins the glaze to just the right consistency.
How to Make Banana Bread Coffee Cake Recipe
Step 1: Prepare Your Pan and Preheat Oven
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F and greasing a 9-inch square baking pan or lining it with parchment paper. This ensures your cake will bake evenly and release easily when it’s done.
Step 2: Cream Butter and Sugars
In a large bowl, cream together the softened unsalted butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy. This step is key to developing the cake’s tender texture and sweet depth.
Step 3: Add Eggs and Flavorings
Incorporate the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Then mix in the vanilla extract, mashed ripe bananas, and sour cream until the batter is smooth and creamy — this combination gives your cake its luscious moisture and gentle tang.
Step 4: Combine Dry Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt. Gradually fold these dry ingredients into the wet banana mixture just until blended. Over-mixing here can lead to a tougher cake, so keep it gentle.
Step 5: Assemble the Streusel Topping
For that irresistibly crumbly topping, mix the brown sugar, all-purpose flour, and ground cinnamon in a small bowl. Cut in the cold, cubed butter using a fork or pastry cutter until the mix resembles coarse crumbs. This adds a delightful crunch and spice contrast to the soft banana cake underneath.
Step 6: Bake to Perfection
Pour your batter into the prepared pan and smooth the top. Sprinkle the streusel topping evenly over the batter, then bake for 35 to 40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Allow your cake to cool completely — patience here ensures the glaze sets beautifully.
Step 7: Glaze and Serve
Whisk together powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract to make a simple glaze. Drizzle it generously over the cooled cake before slicing. This finishing touch accentuates sweetness and makes every bite glow.
How to Serve Banana Bread Coffee Cake Recipe
Garnishes
Enhance your Banana Bread Coffee Cake Recipe presentation with a sprinkle of chopped nuts like walnuts or pecans for added crunch. Fresh banana slices or a dusting of cinnamon can also elevate the look and flavor.
Side Dishes
This cake pairs wonderfully with a hot cup of coffee or your favorite tea, complementing its sweet warmth. For a fuller breakfast, serve alongside creamy yogurt or fresh fruit salad to balance the richness.
Creative Ways to Present
Try slicing your banana bread coffee cake into elegant bars for a brunch buffet or arrange pieces on a tiered dessert platter. You can even serve warmed slices with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or whipped cream for a decadent dessert.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Wrap any leftover Banana Bread Coffee Cake Recipe tightly in plastic wrap or store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days to keep it moist and fresh. This cake’s flavors deepen wonderfully even after a day.
Freezing
If you want to save your cake for later, freeze individual slices wrapped in foil and placed in a freezer bag for up to three months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before enjoying.
Reheating
Warm your banana coffee cake slices gently in the microwave for 15 to 20 seconds or in a low oven for 10 minutes to bring back that just-baked softness and refresh the glaze’s shine.
FAQs
Can I use overripe bananas?
Absolutely! Overripe bananas are perfect for this Banana Bread Coffee Cake Recipe because they’re sweeter and mash more easily into the batter, adding moisture and rich banana flavor.
Can I add nuts to the cake?
Yes, chopped walnuts or pecans make a fantastic addition either mixed into the batter or sprinkled on top within the streusel for extra texture and nutty flavor.
What if I don’t have sour cream?
You can substitute Greek yogurt or buttermilk in equal amounts to maintain the moistness and slight tang that sour cream provides.
Is this recipe suitable for vegetarians?
Yes, this Banana Bread Coffee Cake Recipe is vegetarian-friendly as it contains no meat or gelatin products.
How do I know when the cake is done baking?
Insert a toothpick into the center; if it comes out clean or with just a few moist crumbs, your cake is perfectly baked and ready to come out of the oven.
Final Thoughts
This Banana Bread Coffee Cake Recipe has quickly become one of my all-time favorites because it’s so easy to make and incredibly comforting. The blend of banana bread’s moistness with the sweet crunch of coffee cake streusel is simply magical. I encourage you to bake a batch soon and discover just how much joy this cake can bring to your kitchen and your taste buds.
Print
Banana Bread Coffee Cake Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Total Time: 55 minutes
- Yield: 9 servings
- Category: Breakfast, Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This Banana Bread Coffee Cake combines the moist richness of classic banana bread with the crumbly sweetness of a cinnamon streusel topping and a delicate vanilla glaze, making it the perfect breakfast treat or dessert.
Ingredients
Banana Bread Layer
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter (softened)
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup mashed ripe bananas (about 2–3 bananas)
- 1/2 cup sour cream or Greek yogurt
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Streusel Topping
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 cup cold unsalted butter (cubed)
Glaze
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 1–2 tablespoons milk
- 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Pan: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9-inch square baking pan or line it with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
- Cream Butter and Sugars: In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy, which ensures a tender texture.
- Add Eggs and Flavorings: Beat in the eggs one at a time to incorporate fully, then mix in the vanilla extract, mashed ripe bananas, and sour cream until the batter is smooth and well combined.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt to evenly distribute the leavening agents and salt.
- Mix Wet and Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredients into the wet banana mixture, folding gently until just combined to avoid overmixing and keep the bread tender.
- Pour Batter into Pan: Pour the prepared batter into the greased or lined baking pan and smooth the surface with a spatula for even baking.
- Prepare Streusel Topping: In a small bowl, combine brown sugar, flour, and ground cinnamon. Cut in the cold butter using a fork or pastry cutter until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
- Add Streusel to Batter: Evenly sprinkle the streusel topping over the banana bread batter in the pan to create a sweet, crunchy layer on top.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 35–40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean, indicating the cake is fully cooked.
- Cool the Cake: Remove from the oven and let the cake cool completely in the pan on a wire rack to set the structure and make glazing easier.
- Prepare the Glaze: In a small bowl, whisk together powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract until smooth and drizzleable.
- Glaze and Serve: Drizzle the glaze evenly over the cooled cake before slicing and serving to add a sweet finishing touch.
Notes
- Use overripe bananas with brown spots for the best flavor and moist texture.
- For added texture and flavor, stir chopped walnuts or pecans into either the batter or the streusel topping.
- Store leftovers covered at room temperature for up to 2 days to maintain freshness.
