This Banana Crumb Coffee Cake is a slice of happiness! It’s fluffy, filled with ripe bananas, and topped with a crunchy streusel that makes it irresistible.
You won’t believe how easy it is to whip up! I love having it with my morning coffee—it’s like a warm hug on a plate. Plus, it makes your kitchen smell amazing! ☕🍌
Key Ingredients & Substitutions
Bananas: Ripe bananas are vital for sweetness and moisture. If you don’t have ripe ones, you can bake unripe bananas for 15-20 minutes at 300°F to soften them up.
Sour Cream: This adds moisture and richness. You can substitute plain yogurt if you prefer. For a dairy-free option, try coconut yogurt.
Butter: Unsalted butter keeps the flavor balanced. If you need a dairy-free choice, use coconut oil or vegan butter instead.
Nuts: Walnuts or pecans bring a delightful crunch. If nuts aren’t your thing, feel free to leave them out or swap in some oats for added texture.
How Can I Achieve the Perfect Streusel Topping?
The streusel is where you add that crunchy topping! You want to achieve a crumbly texture that adds both flavor and texture. Here’s how to do it right:
- Use cold butter for the streusel. This helps create that delightful crunch. Cubing the butter helps it blend evenly.
- Mix the dry ingredients and butter together until it resembles coarse crumbs. It’s okay to have some larger clumps for extra texture.
- If using nuts, chop them coarsely and add them last to your streusel mix.
This topping is not only crunchy but also adds a beautiful contrast to the soft banana cake underneath. Enjoy your baking!
Banana Crumb Coffee Cake With Crunchy 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 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup mashed ripe bananas (about 2-3 bananas)
- 1/2 cup sour cream or plain yogurt
For the Streusel Topping:
- 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 cup (1/2 stick) unsalted butter, cold and cubed
- 1/2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans (optional for extra crunch)
How Much Time Will You Need?
This delightful coffee cake takes about 15 minutes to prep, and then around 40-45 minutes to bake. After baking, you’ll want to allow it to cool for about 20 minutes before slicing. So, in total, set aside about 1 hour and 15 minutes to enjoy this yummy treat!
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Prepping the Oven and Pan:
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Get your 8-inch square baking pan ready by greasing and flouring it, or you can line it with parchment paper for easier removal later on.
2. Whisking the Dry Ingredients:
In a medium bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and ground cinnamon. Whisk them together to mix well, then set the bowl aside for later.
3. Creaming the Butter and Sugar:
In a large mixing bowl, cream the softened butter with the granulated sugar. Use an electric mixer or a whisk to beat them together until the mixture is light and fluffy—this should take about 3-4 minutes.
4. Adding the Eggs and Flavor:
Beat in the eggs one at a time, ensuring each is incorporated before adding the next. Then, stir in the vanilla extract. This will add delicious flavor to your cake!
5. Mixing in the Bananas and Sour Cream:
Add the mashed bananas and sour cream (or yogurt) to the butter mixture. Mix until just combined—don’t overmix, as you want to keep your cake fluffy!
6. Combining with the Dry Ingredients:
Now, slowly fold in the dry ingredients from your earlier bowl. Gently mix until everything is just combined—again, avoid overmixing to keep the cake tender.
7. Preparing the Batter for Baking:
Pour the batter into the prepared baking pan. Use a spatula or the back of a spoon to spread the batter evenly in the pan.
8. Making the Streusel Topping:
In a separate bowl, mix together the flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt for the streusel. Add the cold, cubed butter, and use a pastry cutter or your fingers to work the butter into the mixture until it resembles coarse crumbs. If you like, stir in the chopped nuts.
9. Topping the Cake:
Sprinkle the streusel topping evenly over the cake batter. Make sure to cover all areas for a nice, crunchy finish!
10. Baking the Cake:
Place the pan into your preheated oven and bake for 40-45 minutes. Check for doneness by inserting a toothpick into the center—the cake is ready when the toothpick comes out clean!
11. Cooling and Serving:
Once baked, remove the cake from the oven and allow it to cool in the pan on a wire rack for at least 20 minutes. This will make it easier to slice!
12. Enjoy!
Slice your Banana Crumb Coffee Cake and serve it warm or at room temperature. It pairs perfectly with your favorite cup of coffee or tea for a delightful treat!
FAQ for Banana Crumb Coffee Cake With Crunchy Streusel Topping
Can I Use Overripe Bananas for This Recipe?
Absolutely! Overripe bananas are perfect for this cake as they add extra sweetness and moisture. Just make sure they’re mushy enough to mash easily!
What If I Don’t Have Sour Cream?
No worries! You can substitute sour cream with plain yogurt or even buttermilk. Both options will keep your cake moist and delicious!
How Should I Store Leftovers?
Store any leftover banana crumb coffee cake in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. If you want to keep it longer, refrigerate it, and it should last up to a week. You can also freeze it for up to 2 months—just make sure to wrap it tightly!
Can I Make This Recipe Dairy-Free?
Yes! For a dairy-free version, use coconut oil instead of butter and coconut yogurt or almond yogurt instead of sour cream. The flavor will be slightly different, but still delicious!
