Banana coffee cake is a delightful combination of sweet, ripe bananas and the comforting, soft texture of coffee cake. It’s the perfect treat to enjoy with your morning coffee, as a mid-afternoon snack, or even as a dessert. This recipe promises a moist, fluffy cake with a sweet, crunchy streusel topping that everyone will love. Whether you’re new to baking or an experienced baker, you’ll find this recipe easy to follow and incredibly satisfying.
In this guide, we’ll take you through each step of making banana coffee cake, offer some helpful tips, and suggest variations to make it even more fun and customizable. Get ready to bake a cake that’s sure to become a favorite in your household!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Perfect balance of flavors: The sweetness of ripe bananas and the comforting flavors of coffee cake create a delicious combination.
- Moist and fluffy texture: The bananas and sour cream make this cake incredibly moist and soft.
- Quick and easy: Simple ingredients and straightforward steps make it a breeze to bake.
- Customizable: Add-ins like nuts, chocolate chips, or a cinnamon swirl let you make the recipe your own.
- Versatile: Perfect for breakfast, brunch, or a sweet treat any time of the day.
- Crowd-pleaser: Loved by both kids and adults, this cake is perfect for family gatherings or casual get-togethers.
Recipe Overview
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40-45 minutes
- Total Time: 55-60 minutes
- Servings: 8-10
- Difficulty Level: Easy
- Dietary Information: This recipe is not gluten-free or dairy-free by default, but we’ll discuss substitutions to meet dietary needs.
Ingredients for Banana Coffee Cake
The ingredients for this banana coffee cake are simple, and you probably have most of them already in your pantry. Here’s what you need:
For the Cake:
- 2 ripe bananas (the riper, the better!)
- 1 cup all-purpose flour (or gluten-free flour if needed)
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon (optional, but it adds great flavor)
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
- 2 large eggs
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup sour cream (this helps keep the cake moist)
For the Streusel Topping:
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup brown sugar, packed
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, chilled and cubed
Equipment You’ll Need
- Mixing bowls
- Electric mixer or whisk
- 9×9-inch square baking pan (or round pan)
- Spatula or spoon
- Cooling rack (optional, but helps the cake cool evenly)
Step-by-Step Instructions for Moist Banana Coffee Cake
Step 1: Prepare the Streusel Topping
Start by preparing the streusel topping. In a medium bowl, combine the flour, granulated sugar, brown sugar, and cinnamon. Add the chilled, cubed butter and use a pastry cutter or your fingers to work the butter into the dry ingredients. You want a crumbly texture. Set the streusel aside.
Step 2: Mash the Bananas
Peel and mash the ripe bananas in a bowl until smooth. Overripe bananas are ideal because they’re sweeter and easier to mash, which results in a moist cake.
Step 3: Mix Wet Ingredients
In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar. Beat the mixture with an electric mixer or whisk until light and fluffy (about 2-3 minutes). Add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Stir in the mashed bananas and vanilla extract. Finally, mix in the sour cream for extra moisture.
Step 4: Combine Dry Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. Be careful not to overmix, as this can result in a dense cake.
Step 5: Add the Batter to the Pan
Grease your baking pan with butter or non-stick spray, and pour the banana coffee cake batter into the pan. Use a spatula to spread the batter evenly.
Step 6: Add the Streusel Topping
Sprinkle the streusel topping evenly over the batter. This will give your cake a deliciously sweet and crunchy top.
Step 7: Bake
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake the cake for 40-45 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. If the cake is browning too quickly, cover it loosely with aluminum foil during the last few minutes of baking.
Step 8: Cool and Serve
Once the cake is baked, allow it to cool in the pan for about 10 minutes before transferring it to a cooling rack to cool completely. Once cooled, cut it into slices and enjoy!
Pro Tips for Perfect Banana Coffee Cake
- Use Overripe Bananas: The riper the bananas, the better! They’re softer and sweeter, which makes the cake extra moist and flavorful.
- Don’t Overmix: When combining the wet and dry ingredients, stir gently. Overmixing can result in a dense texture, which is not what you want in a coffee cake.
- Room Temperature Ingredients: Make sure your butter, eggs, and sour cream are at room temperature. This ensures the ingredients blend smoothly, creating a light and airy texture.
- Customize the Streusel: Get creative with your streusel topping! You can add chopped walnuts, pecans, or even a bit of shredded coconut for extra texture and flavor.
- Check for Doneness: Oven temperatures vary, so check your cake a few minutes before the recommended time. Insert a toothpick into the center of the cake—if it comes out clean, it’s done!
Variations You Can Try
While this banana coffee cake is delicious as-is, you can easily customize it to suit your tastes.
Add Chocolate Chips
For a chocolatey twist, fold in some semi-sweet or dark chocolate chips into the batter. They’ll melt slightly as the cake bakes, creating pockets of gooey chocolate goodness.
Make it Vegan
Replace the eggs with flax eggs (1 tablespoon ground flaxseed + 3 tablespoons water per egg) and swap out the butter for a dairy-free substitute. You can also use non-dairy yogurt instead of sour cream.
Gluten-Free Version
To make this recipe gluten-free, simply swap the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend. Be sure to use a blend that can be substituted cup-for-cup for regular flour.
Add Nuts
Chopped nuts like walnuts or pecans add a lovely crunch and flavor to the cake. Stir them into the batter for added texture.
Cinnamon Swirl
For an extra touch of flavor, swirl cinnamon and sugar through the batter before baking. This creates a marbled effect and adds a delicious cinnamon kick.
Final Thoughts
Banana coffee cake is the perfect blend of moist, flavorful cake and a sweet, crunchy topping. It’s easy to make, customizable, and a guaranteed hit with everyone who tries it. Whether you’re serving it for breakfast, a snack, or dessert, it’s sure to become a go-to recipe in your kitchen.
Follow these simple steps, add your favorite twists, and enjoy a delicious slice of banana coffee cake. With its perfect balance of flavor and texture, this cake is bound to become a family favorite. Happy baking!
