This moist banana crumb coffee cake is a fantastic treat for breakfast or a snack! With sweet bananas and a crunchy streusel topping, it’s hard to resist.
As I enjoy my slice with coffee, I can’t help but feel like a baking genius! Plus, it fills the kitchen with the warm smell of bananas—perfect for cozy mornings.
Key Ingredients & Substitutions
All-Purpose Flour: This is the main base for the cake. If you need a gluten-free option, you can use a 1:1 gluten-free baking flour instead. Just make sure it contains xanthan gum for best results.
Bananas: Ripe or overripe bananas add great flavor and moisture. If you don’t have bananas, unsweetened applesauce can be a good substitute, though the taste will differ.
Sour Cream/Yogurt: Both add moisture and tenderness to the cake. If you want a lighter option, you can use Greek yogurt or even cottage cheese blended until smooth!
Butter: Unsalted butter is best to control the salt level. If you’re looking for a dairy-free version, use coconut oil or a vegan butter substitute instead.
Nuts: While they’re optional, they add a nice crunch. Feel free to skip them if needed—chia seeds or pumpkin seeds can be a nut-free alternative.
How Do You Ensure the Streusel Topping is Perfect?
The streusel topping is what makes this coffee cake special! To achieve that crumbly texture, keep a couple of tips in mind:
- Use cold butter for the streusel. This keeps it chunkier and prevents it from melting into the topping.
- Mix until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. It should have some larger chunks for texture.
- If it seems too dry, a splash of milk can help it hold together a bit more.
Remember, you want to create a balance between the soft cake and crunchy topping for the best bite. Enjoy your baking!
Moist Banana Crumb Coffee Cake With Streusel Topping
Ingredients You’ll Need:
For the Cake:
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup mashed ripe bananas (about 2-3 bananas)
- ½ cup sour cream or plain yogurt
For the Streusel Topping:
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
- ⅓ cup brown sugar, packed
- ¼ cup unsalted butter, cold and cubed
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- Optional: ¼ cup chopped nuts (walnuts or pecans)
How Much Time Will You Need?
This delicious coffee cake takes about 15 minutes to prepare and 40-45 minutes to bake. You’ll want to let it cool for a bit after baking before serving. So, you can expect to spend a total of about 1 hour to 1 hour and 15 minutes, depending on your cooling time.
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Preheat the Oven:
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Prepare an 8×8-inch baking pan by greasing it with butter or non-stick spray and then dusting it with flour, or line it with parchment paper for easier removal.
2. Mix the Dry Ingredients:
In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt until well combined. This helps to evenly distribute the leavening agents in the flour. Set this bowl aside for later.
3. Cream the Butter and Sugar:
In a large bowl, take your softened butter and granulated sugar. Using an electric mixer, beat them together until the mixture is light and fluffy. This usually takes about 2-3 minutes and helps to incorporate air for a better texture.
4. Add the Eggs and Vanilla:
Add the eggs to the butter-sugar mixture one at a time. Beat well after each addition to ensure everything is well mixed. Then, stir in the vanilla extract until combined.
5. Combine Bananas and Sour Cream:
Next, fold in the mashed bananas and sour cream (or yogurt) into your wet mixture. Make sure it’s all well combined for a moist cake.
6. Add Dry Ingredients:
Now, gradually add the dry ingredients you prepared earlier into the wet ingredients. Mix gently with a spatula or wooden spoon until just combined. Be careful not to overmix, or the cake might become dense.
7. Prepare the Streusel Topping:
In a small bowl, mix together the flour, brown sugar, and ground cinnamon for the streusel. Add in the cold, cubed butter, and using a pastry cutter or your fingers, mix it together until it resembles coarse crumbs. If you’re using nuts, stir them in now!
8. Assemble the Cake:
Pour the cake batter into your prepared baking pan, spreading it evenly with a spatula. Then, sprinkle the streusel topping generously over the top of the batter.
9. Baking the Cake:
Place the baking pan into the oven and bake for about 40-45 minutes. Check for doneness with a toothpick — it should come out clean when inserted into the center of the cake.
10. Cooling and Serving:
Once baked, remove the cake from the oven and let it cool in the pan on a wire rack for about 10-15 minutes. After cooling slightly, you can slice and serve your lovely banana crumb coffee cake warm or at room temperature.
Enjoy your moist banana crumb coffee cake with a delicious cup of coffee or tea. Happy baking!
FAQ for Moist Banana Crumb Coffee Cake
Can I Use Frozen Bananas for This Recipe?
Absolutely! Frozen bananas work great in this cake. Just be sure to thaw them completely and drain any excess liquid before mashing. They’ll be quite soft, making them easy to blend into the batter.
How Do I Store Leftover Coffee Cake?
After the cake has cooled completely, store any leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. For longer storage, you can refrigerate it for up to a week or freeze slices wrapped tightly in plastic wrap for up to 3 months.
Can I Make This Coffee Cake Without Nuts?
Yes, you can easily make this cake without nuts if you prefer! Simply omit them from the streusel topping. If you want an extra crunch without nuts, consider adding some oats to the streusel mixture.
What Can I Substitute for Sour Cream?
If you don’t have sour cream on hand, plain yogurt works perfectly as a substitute! For a non-dairy option, unsweetened coconut yogurt can also be a great choice, giving you the moisture you need without dairy.
