This banana crumb coffee cake is a sweet treat perfect for breakfast or snack time. With ripe bananas and a crunchy streusel topping, it’s both tasty and comforting!
Whenever I make this cake, my house smells amazing! Plus, that crumbly topping? It’s the best part—like a warm hug for your taste buds. Give it a try and enjoy a slice with your coffee! ☕🍌
Key Ingredients & Substitutions
Ripe Bananas: Use overripe bananas for this recipe. Their sweetness adds great flavor. If you’re out of bananas, you can try unsweetened applesauce as a replacement, using 1/4 cup for each banana.
Sour Cream or Yogurt: This keeps the cake moist. You can substitute it with buttermilk or even plant-based yogurt if you want a dairy-free option.
Butter: Unsalted butter is the go-to for baking. If you’re in a pinch, you can use margarine or coconut oil instead, but it may change the flavor slightly.
Brown Sugar: It adds depth to the streusel. If you don’t have brown sugar, mix granulated sugar with a bit of molasses (1 tablespoon per cup of sugar) as a quick substitute.
Why is Mixing Techniques Important?
Mixing the batter correctly is key to a fluffy coffee cake. Overmixing can create a tough texture. Here’s how to avoid that:
- After creaming the butter and sugar, add the eggs and mix until just combined.
- When adding dry ingredients, fold them in gently with a spatula until no flour streaks remain. This keeps your cake light and airy!
- Try to mix until it just comes together; a few lumps are okay!
Following these tips will help you create a delicious banana crumb coffee cake with a perfect texture. Enjoy your baking!
Easy 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
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 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:
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup light brown sugar, packed
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 cup (half stick) unsalted butter, cold and cut into small cubes
How Much Time Will You Need?
This delightful coffee cake takes about 15 minutes to prepare and around 40-45 minutes to bake. Once done, allow it to cool for at least 20 minutes before enjoying. In total, you’re looking at roughly 1 hour and 15 minutes from start to finish, plus cooling time!
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Preheat and Prepare Your Pan:
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). While it’s heating, grease and flour an 8×8-inch baking pan or simply spray it with non-stick spray to prevent sticking.
2. Mix the Dry Ingredients:
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. This helps to ensure even distribution of the leavening agents. Set this bowl aside for later.
3. Cream Butter and Sugar:
In a large bowl, use an electric mixer to beat the softened butter and granulated sugar together. Mix until the mixture is light and fluffy—this usually takes about 2-3 minutes.
4. Add Eggs and Vanilla:
Next, add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract to give it an extra kick of flavor.
5. Combine Bananas and Sour Cream:
Now, mix in the mashed bananas along with the sour cream (or yogurt) until everything is just combined. The batter will be deliciously fragrant!
6. Incorporate Dry Ingredients:
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing gently until just incorporated. Be careful not to overmix, as this can make the cake tough.
7. Pour the Batter:
Pour the batter into your prepared pan and spread it out evenly with a spatula.
8. Make the Streusel Topping:
In a small bowl, combine the flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt for the streusel topping. Add the cold butter cubes and use a pastry cutter or your fingers to blend until the mixture forms coarse crumbs.
9. Add the Topping:
Sprinkle the streusel mixture evenly over the banana cake batter. This will create a lovely crunchy topping once baked!
10. Bake the Cake:
Place the cake in the preheated oven and bake for 40-45 minutes. To check if it’s done, insert a toothpick into the center—it should come out clean without any batter stuck to it.
11. Cool Before Serving:
Once baked, remove the coffee cake from the oven and allow it to cool in the pan on a wire rack for at least 20 minutes. This step is important so it doesn’t fall apart when you cut it!
12. Enjoy!
Serve your warm coffee cake either warm or at room temperature, perfect with a cup of coffee or tea. Enjoy the delightful flavors!
Happy baking! 🍌☕️
FAQ for Easy Banana Crumb Coffee Cake
Can I Use Overripe Bananas for This Recipe?
Absolutely! Overripe bananas are ideal for this coffee cake as they are sweeter and contribute more flavor. If you have bananas that are too ripe to eat, they’re perfect for baking!
Can I Make This Cake in Advance?
Yes, you can! Bake the coffee cake ahead of time, allow it to cool completely, and then store it in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. You can also freeze it for up to 3 months; just make sure to wrap it tightly.
How Can I Adjust the Sweetness?
If you prefer less sweetness, you can reduce the sugar by about 1/4 cup. Keep in mind that this might alter the texture a little, but the bananas provide natural sweetness, so it will still be delicious!
What Should I Serve with This Coffee Cake?
This cake pairs wonderfully with coffee or tea, making it a perfect breakfast or afternoon snack. It’s also great alongside fresh fruit for a more balanced meal!
