Homemade Banana Coffee Cake Recipe

Picture this: the aroma of ripe bananas and warm cinnamon filling your kitchen while you sip your morning coffee. This banana coffee cake combines the best of both worlds – the beloved flavors of banana bread with the irresistible crumb topping of classic coffee cake.

Unlike my popular cinnamon swirl coffee cake, this version adds natural sweetness and incredible moisture from perfectly ripe bananas, making it an instant family favorite that’s ready in just one hour.

What is Banana Coffee Cake?

Ever wondered why we call it “coffee cake” when there’s no coffee in it? This delightful contradiction has puzzled bakers for generations! Traditionally, coffee cake earned its name because it’s the perfect companion to your morning cup of joe.

My banana coffee cake takes this classic pairing to new heights by incorporating sweet, mashed bananas into a tender cake base, then crowning it with a buttery cinnamon streusel. As they say, “the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach” – and this cake definitely proves that point! Ready to create some kitchen magic?

Why You’ll Love This Banana Coffee Cake:

Incredibly Moist and Flavorful The secret to this cake’s success lies in those overripe bananas sitting on your counter. They create an incredibly moist, tender crumb that stays fresh for days. The natural banana sweetness reduces the need for excessive sugar, while warm spices like cinnamon and nutmeg add depth and complexity to every bite.

Budget-Friendly Home Baking Skip the expensive bakery treats and make this stunning coffee cake at home for a fraction of the cost. Using simple pantry staples and those bananas you might otherwise throw away, this recipe transforms everyday ingredients into something extraordinary. You’ll save money while creating memories in your own kitchen.

Irresistible Streusel Topping The golden, buttery streusel topping sets this cake apart from ordinary banana bread. Made with brown sugar, butter, flour, and cinnamon, it creates a delightful textural contrast against the soft cake beneath. Unlike my classic blueberry muffins, this cake’s crowning glory adds an extra layer of indulgence that makes it perfect for special occasions or weekend brunches.

Want to impress your family and friends? This banana coffee cake delivers bakery-quality results with minimal effort required.

How to Make Banana Coffee Cake:

Quick Overview

This banana coffee cake combines simplicity with spectacular results. The one-bowl mixing method makes preparation effortless, while overripe bananas ensure incredible moisture and natural sweetness. The buttery streusel topping adds a delightful crunch that perfectly complements the tender cake base.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Bake Time: 45-50 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
Serves: 12 slices

Key Ingredients for Banana Coffee Cake:

For the Cake:

• 3 large overripe bananas, mashed (about 1 cup)
• 1/3 cup melted butter
• 3/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1 large egg, beaten
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• Pinch of salt
• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup sour cream
• 1/4 cup milk

For the Streusel Topping:

• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 4 tablespoons cold butter, cubed
• 1/4 cup chopped walnuts (optional)

Step-by-Step Instructions:

Prepare Your Kitchen Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13 inch baking pan or line it with parchment paper. This prevents sticking and ensures easy removal after baking.

Make the Streusel Topping In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Add cold butter cubes and use a pastry cutter or your fingers to work the butter into the dry ingredients until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Stir in chopped walnuts if using. Set aside while you prepare the cake batter.

Mash the Bananas In a large mixing bowl, mash the overripe bananas with a fork until mostly smooth. A few small lumps are perfectly fine and add texture to the finished cake. The bananas should be very ripe with brown spots for maximum sweetness and flavor.

Mix the Wet Ingredients Add melted butter to the mashed bananas and stir until combined. Mix in the granulated sugar, beaten egg, and vanilla extract until the mixture is smooth and well incorporated.

Combine Dry Ingredients In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, and salt. This ensures even distribution of the leavening agent throughout the flour.

Create the Batter Add the dry ingredients to the banana mixture, stirring just until combined. Don’t overmix, as this can lead to a tough cake. Gently fold in the sour cream and milk until the batter is smooth and no dry flour streaks remain.

Assemble and Bake Pour the batter into your prepared baking pan and spread it evenly. Sprinkle the streusel topping uniformly over the surface. Bake for 45-50 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with just a few moist crumbs attached.

Cool and Serve Allow the cake to cool in the pan for at least 15 minutes before cutting. This helps it set properly and makes slicing much easier.

What to Serve Banana Coffee Cake With:

This versatile cake pairs beautifully with a variety of beverages and accompaniments. Serve warm slices with freshly brewed coffee, black tea, or chai latte for the classic coffee cake experience.

For a more indulgent treat, add a dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream. The cake also complements cream cheese frosting drizzled on top, or simply dust with powdered sugar for an elegant presentation.

Consider serving alongside fresh berries, a fruit salad, or Greek yogurt for a balanced breakfast or brunch spread. The cake’s rich banana flavor also pairs wonderfully with caramel sauce or a light glaze made from powdered sugar and milk.

Top Tips for Perfecting Banana Coffee Cake:

Use Overripe Bananas The key to exceptional banana flavor lies in using very ripe bananas with brown spots. These bananas are sweeter and mash more easily, creating better texture and taste in your finished cake.

Don’t Overmix the Batter Mix the ingredients just until combined to ensure a tender, light texture. Overmixing develops the gluten in the flour, resulting in a dense, tough cake.

Room Temperature Ingredients Bring eggs and dairy ingredients to room temperature before mixing. This helps create a smoother batter and more even baking.

Test for Doneness Use the toothpick test, but remember that a few moist crumbs are perfect. The cake will continue cooking slightly as it cools.

Customize Your Streusel Add chopped pecans, walnuts, or even mini chocolate chips to your streusel topping for extra flavor and texture.

Storing and Reheating Tips:

Room Temperature Storage Cover the cooled cake tightly with plastic wrap or store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. The banana content helps keep the cake moist during storage.

Refrigerator Storage For longer storage, refrigerate the covered cake for up to one week. The cool temperature helps maintain freshness, especially in humid conditions.

Freezing Instructions Wrap individual slices in plastic wrap and store in freezer bags for up to 3 months. Alternatively, freeze the entire cake (without cutting) wrapped tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil.

Reheating Methods Warm individual slices in the microwave for 15-20 seconds, or reheat in a 300°F oven for 5-7 minutes. For frozen slices, thaw at room temperature for 30 minutes before reheating.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use frozen bananas for this recipe? Yes! Thaw frozen bananas completely and drain excess liquid before mashing. Frozen bananas often become extra soft, making them perfect for baking.

What if I don’t have sour cream? Substitute Greek yogurt, buttermilk, or regular milk. Each will create slightly different textures, but all work well in this recipe.

Can I make this cake gluten-free? Replace all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend. The texture may be slightly different, but the cake will still be delicious.

How do I know when my bananas are ripe enough? Look for bananas with brown spots and soft flesh. They should mash easily with a fork and smell sweet and fragrant.

Can I add chocolate chips? Absolutely! Fold in 1/2 to 3/4 cup of mini chocolate chips with the dry ingredients for a delicious twist.

Why is my streusel topping not crunchy? Make sure your butter is cold when making the streusel, and don’t overmix. The mixture should look like coarse crumbs.

Nutrition Information

Nutrient	Per Slice (1/12 of cake)
Calories	285
Total Fat	8g
Saturated Fat	5g
Cholesterol	35mg
Sodium	180mg
Total Carbs	48g
Dietary Fiber	2g
Sugars	28g
Protein	4g
Potassium	150mg

Nutritional values are approximate and may vary based on specific ingredients used.

Additional Tips for Success:

Ingredient Substitutions Replace half the all-purpose flour with whole wheat flour for added nutrition and nutty flavor. You can also substitute coconut oil for butter if preferred, though the texture will be slightly different.

Make-Ahead Options Prepare the streusel topping up to 3 days in advance and store in the refrigerator. The cake batter can be mixed the night before and stored covered in the refrigerator, though you may need to add a few extra minutes to the baking time.

Serving Suggestions for Special Occasions Transform this simple coffee cake into an elegant dessert by serving it warm with a scoop of cinnamon ice cream and a drizzle of caramel sauce. For holiday gatherings, dust with powdered sugar and garnish with fresh mint leaves.

Troubleshooting Common Issues If your cake sinks in the middle, your oven temperature may be too high, or you may have overmixed the batter. If the top browns too quickly, tent with aluminum foil during the last 15 minutes of baking.

This banana coffee cake represents the perfect marriage of comfort food and elegant baking. Whether you’re using up overripe bananas or planning a special weekend treat, this recipe delivers consistent, delicious results that will have everyone asking for seconds. The combination of moist banana cake and crunchy streusel topping creates a textural symphony that’s impossible to resist.

Happy baking!