This banana crumb coffee cake is super moist and filled with sweet bananas. Topped with a crunchy streusel, it’s perfect for breakfast or a cozy snack. Yum!
I love making this cake because it fills the kitchen with a warm banana smell! It’s easy to whip up, and believe me, your friends will be coming back for seconds—if you share, that is! 😂
Key Ingredients & Substitutions
All-purpose flour: This is the base for your cake. If you’re gluten-free, you can use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend instead for great results.
Bananas: Ripe bananas are key for sweetness and moisture. You can substitute with applesauce if you want a lower-calorie option, but the banana flavor won’t be same.
Butter: Unsalted butter is preferred for better control over salt content. If you’re dairy-free, coconut oil or vegan butter works well too!
Sour cream or yogurt: Adds moisture and tang. If you don’t have either, try using buttermilk or a plant-based yogurt for a dairy-free option.
Brown sugar: It gives a rich flavor to the topping. You can use white sugar in a pinch, but brown sugar gives that lovely caramel taste.
How Do I Get the Streusel Topping Just Right?
The streusel topping is what makes this cake shine! Here’s how to get it perfect:
- Use cold butter. This helps create those nice, crumbly bits.
- Don’t overmix! Just combine the flour, brown sugar, and cinnamon until the butter is cut in. It should look like coarse crumbs.
- Sprinkle it evenly on top of the batter before baking. This way, every slice gets that delicious crunch!
When you bake, the streusel becomes golden and aromatic, a lovely contrast to the soft banana cake beneath.
Moist Banana Crumb Coffee Cake With Streusel Topping
Ingredients You’ll Need:
For the Cake:
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup mashed ripe bananas (about 2-3 bananas)
- 1/4 cup sour cream or plain yogurt
For the Streusel Topping:
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, cold and cubed
How Much Time Will You Need?
This delightful coffee cake requires about 15 minutes of preparation time and 40-45 minutes of baking time, plus an extra 15 minutes to cool. So, in total, you should budget around 1 hour and 15 minutes from start to finish.
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Preheat the Oven
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). This ensures that your coffee cake bakes evenly. Grease and flour a 9-inch square baking pan, or you can line it with parchment paper for easy removal later.
2. Mix the Dry Ingredients
In a medium bowl, whisk together 1 1/2 cups of all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon of baking powder, 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda, and 1/2 teaspoon of salt. Set this mixture aside—it’s going to be added to your wet ingredients shortly!
3. Create the Cake Batter
In a large mixing bowl, use a hand mixer (or a sturdy spoon) to cream together 1/2 cup of softened unsalted butter and 3/4 cup of granulated sugar until it’s light and fluffy. This usually takes about 2-3 minutes.
Next, beat in 2 large eggs, one at a time, ensuring that each egg is fully incorporated before adding the next. Then stir in 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract, 1 cup of mashed ripe bananas, and 1/4 cup of sour cream or plain yogurt. Mix until everything is just combined—you don’t want to overmix!
4. Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients
Now, gently fold in your dry ingredients from the first step into the wet mixture. Be careful not to overmix; just stir until you see no flour pockets left.
5. Prepare for Baking
Pour your delicious batter into the prepared baking pan and spread it out evenly. It’s time to whip up the streusel topping!
6. Make the Streusel Topping
In a small bowl, combine 1/2 cup of all-purpose flour, 1/2 cup of packed brown sugar, and 1/2 teaspoon of ground cinnamon. Add in 1/4 cup of cold and cubed unsalted butter. Use a pastry cutter or your fingers to mix until you have a crumbly texture. This will be the delicious, crunchy layer on top of your cake!
7. Add the Topping and Bake
Sprinkle your streusel topping evenly over the batter in the pan. This is where the magic happens! Bake in your preheated oven for 40-45 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Keep an eye on it, as ovens can vary!
8. Cool and Serve
Once baked, remove the pan from the oven and let it cool for about 15 minutes. After it’s slightly cooled, slice and serve! Enjoy this moist banana crumb coffee cake with a lovely cup of coffee or tea—it’s the perfect pairing for a cozy treat!
Happy baking! Enjoy your delicious creation! 🎉
FAQ for Moist Banana Crumb Coffee Cake With Streusel Topping
Can I Use Overripe Bananas for This Recipe?
Absolutely! In fact, overripe bananas are ideal for this coffee cake because they are sweeter and more flavorful. Just make sure they are soft and brown for the best results.
How to Store Leftovers?
Store any leftover coffee cake in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. If you want to keep it fresh for longer, you can refrigerate it for up to a week or freeze it for up to 3 months. Just thaw in the fridge before serving!
Can I Make This Recipe Gluten-Free?
Yes! You can substitute all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend. Just ensure it contains xanthan gum for proper texture, or add it separately if not included in the blend.
What Can I Use Instead of Sour Cream?
If you don’t have sour cream on hand, plain yogurt works perfectly as a substitute. Additionally, you can use buttermilk or even applesauce for a healthier option, but keep in mind this might slightly alter the moisture level of the cake.