This banana crumb coffee cake is soft, moist, and topped with a yummy streusel that adds a delightful crunch. Perfect for breakfast or a cozy afternoon treat!
Who doesn’t love the smell of bananas baking in the oven? I can’t help sneaking a slice (or two) before serving it. Your friends will thank you for sharing this one! 🍌
Key Ingredients & Substitutions
Mashed Ripe Bananas: The star of this cake! Use ripe bananas, as their natural sweetness adds great flavor. If you don’t have bananas, unsweetened applesauce can work as a substitute, but the flavor will differ.
Sour Cream or Plain Greek Yogurt: This adds moisture and a bit of tang. If you need a dairy-free option, try using coconut yogurt or dairy-free sour cream.
Butter: Unsalted butter keeps the flavors in check. If you’re out, you can use margarine, or for a healthier twist, swap half of it for unsweetened applesauce.
Brown Sugar: It gives that lovely rich flavor in the streusel. You can use white sugar if that’s what you have, but the depth of flavor won’t be the same.
How Do I Make Streusel Topping That Stays Crunchy?
The streusel topping is key to this coffee cake! To get it just right, keep these tips in mind:
- Make sure your butter is cold; this helps create a crumbly texture.
- Mix the flour, brown sugar, and spices first before adding the butter. Use your fingers or a pastry cutter, and don’t worry if it looks uneven; it’s perfect that way!
- Spread the streusel evenly but allow some larger chunks; they add a delightful crunch!
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
- ½ 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 Greek yogurt
- ¼ cup milk
For the Streusel Topping:
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
- ⅓ cup brown sugar (packed)
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ cup unsalted butter, cold and cubed
How Much Time Will You Need?
This delightful coffee cake will take about 15 minutes for prep and 40-50 minutes to bake, plus an additional 15 minutes to cool. You can have a delicious treat ready in just over an hour!
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Preheat the Oven:
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9-inch square or round cake pan, or line it with parchment paper to make removal easier later on.
2. Prepare the Dry Ingredients:
In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. This will help the cake rise nicely. Set this flour mixture aside while you work on the wet ingredients.
3. Cream the Butter and Sugar:
In a large bowl, use an electric mixer to cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy, which should take about 3-4 minutes. This is key for a moist cake!
4. Add Eggs and Vanilla:
Beat in the eggs one at a time, ensuring each egg is well mixed before adding the next. Then, pour in the vanilla extract and mix it all together.
5. Incorporate the Bananas:
Mix in the mashed bananas using a spatula or mixer until they are fully incorporated into the batter. This will add wonderful moisture and flavor!
6. Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients:
Now, you will alternate adding the dry flour mixture and the sour cream (or yogurt) to the banana mixture. Start with a third of the dry mixture, followed by half of the liquid, then repeat, finishing with the dry mixture. Be careful not to overmix; just stir until combined.
7. Pour Batter into Pan:
Pour the cake batter into your prepared pan. Use a spatula to smooth the top evenly so it bakes nicely.
8. Make the Streusel Topping:
In a small bowl, mix together the flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt. Cut in the cold butter using a pastry cutter or your fingers until the mix resembles coarse crumbs. This will create that yummy, crunchy topping!
9. Add Streusel to Cake:
Sprinkle the streusel mixture evenly over the top of the cake batter. Don’t worry if it looks a bit uneven; that’s part of its charm!
10. Bake Your Coffee Cake:
Place the pan in your preheated oven and bake for 40-50 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. The cake should be nicely browned on top.
11. Cool Down:
Allow the cake to cool in the pan for about 15 minutes before transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely. This will help it firm up a bit.
12. Serve and Enjoy:
Once cooled, slice and serve your coffee cake warm or at room temperature. It pairs wonderfully with coffee or tea!
Enjoy your moist banana crumb coffee cake with that irresistible crispy, buttery streusel topping!
FAQ for Moist Banana Crumb Coffee Cake With Streusel Topping
Can I Use Frozen Bananas for This Recipe?
Absolutely! Make sure to thaw the frozen bananas first. You can leave them out at room temperature or microwave them in 30-second intervals until soft. Drain any excess liquid before mashing to keep the batter from getting too watery.
How Do I Store Leftovers?
Store any leftover coffee cake in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2-3 days. If you want to keep it longer, you can refrigerate it for up to a week or freeze it for up to 3 months. Just make sure to wrap it tightly in plastic wrap or foil before freezing!
Can I Make This Cake Gluten-Free?
Yes! You can substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend that measures cup-for-cup. Just be sure to check if it includes xanthan gum; if not, adding a bit can help improve the cake’s texture.
Can I Add Chocolate Chips or Nuts?
Definitely! Adding ½ to 1 cup of chocolate chips or chopped nuts (like walnuts or pecans) can enhance the flavor and texture of your coffee cake. Just fold them into the batter right before pouring it into the pan.
