🍌 Banana Coffee Cake with Buttery Streusel ☕️
There’s something undeniably magical about spotting those overripe bananas quietly lounging on the countertop. You know the ones—they’re speckled, soft, sweet-smelling, just begging you to bake something delicious. As a chef who loves creating comfort food dishes that stir up warm memories, I couldn’t pass up turning my latest banana surplus into a soulful, cozy treat.
Allow me to introduce you, dear foodie friend, to Banana Coffee Cake with Buttery Streusel—my current obsession and surely your next baking masterpiece! This recipe combines the familiar goodness of banana bread with the tender crumb of cake, topped generously with addictive cinnamon-sugar streusel. Let’s get cozy together, preheat the oven, and whip up something unforgettable.
🥰 A Little Banana Cake Memory
Before we dive into ingredients and instructions, I have a quick nostalgic story to share.
I vividly remember weekend mornings spent in my grandmother’s cozy kitchen as a child. The heavenly aroma of fresh coffee brewing, butter melting, and bananas softly ripening on the windowsill filled the air. Grandma always said overripe bananas were like baking gold—you never throw them out; you transform them!
One particular morning stays etched in memory. Rain tapped at the windows while warm banana coffee cake aromas wafted through the house. We sat around the kitchen table, talking, laughing, and devouring slice after slice of grandma’s legendary Banana Coffee Cake. Those cozy moments are what inspire me each time I bake this cake. I bet it’ll create warm moments for you and your loved ones, too.
Ready to bake up your own sweet memories?
🍰 Ingredients (Makes 1 – 9×9 cake | Serves 16):
For the Buttery Cinnamon Streusel:
– 6 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
– 1¼ cups all-purpose flour
– ½ cup light brown sugar (packed)
– ⅓ cup granulated sugar
– 1 tsp ground cinnamon (extra sprinkle never hurts!)
– ¼ tsp salt (balances sweetness perfectly)
For the Moist Banana Cake:
– ¾ cup unsalted butter, softened to room temp
– ¾ cup granulated sugar
– 3 very ripe bananas, mashed (about 1½ cups—don’t skimp!)
– 2 large eggs, lightly beaten at room temperature
– 1½ tsp pure vanilla extract
– 2 tbsp sour cream (secret ingredient for extra tenderness!)
– 1⅓ cups all-purpose flour
– ¾ tsp baking powder
– ½ tsp baking soda
– ½ tsp ground cinnamon
– ½ tsp salt
Optional Glaze (For an extra yummy drizzle!):
– ½ cup powdered sugar
– 2–3 tsp milk
– ¼ tsp pure vanilla extract
👩🍳 Step-by-Step Instructions:
Step 1: Prep and Preheat
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F. Lightly grease a 9×9 baking pan. A little sprinkle of flour after greasing ensures a smooth release. Set aside.
Step 2: Cream Your Butter and Sugar
In a mixing bowl, cream together softened butter and granulated sugar until fluffy—you’ll notice it lighten and become airy.
Step 3: Add Those Gorgeous Mashed Bananas!
Now for the magic. Add the mashed bananas, mix gently to blend the flavors beautifully. (Yes, it smells divine!)
Step 4: Eggs, Vanilla & the Secret Ingredient!
Next, stir in eggs one at a time until fully combined. Then add vanilla extract and our secret weapon—sour cream! The sour cream makes this cake irresistibly tender. Trust me; it’s life-changing!
Step 5: Whisk Your Dry Ingredients
In another bowl, whisk flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt. Whisking or sifting these together evenly distributes leaveners (key for fluffy cakes!).
Step 6: Combine It All (Gently, Please)
Slowly add your dry ingredients into the wet mix, stirring until just combined. Be gentle—overmixing toughens cake (we want tender deliciousness!).
Step 7: Pour & Smooth
Pour your batter into the greased baking pan, smoothing it out evenly with a spatula.
Step 8: Make that Buttery Cinnamon Streusel Topping
Grab another bowl and combine your flour, sugars, cinnamon, and salt. Pour melted butter over this mixture and use a fork to form deliciously buttery crumbles.
Step 9: Sprinkle & Bake
Generously sprinkle the streusel over cake batter. Pop into your preheated oven for about 35 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean or with moist crumbs. The house will fill with a buttery-banana-cinnamon aroma—be prepared for excitement!
Step 10: Drizzle & Enjoy!
If using the glaze, mix powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla until silky-smooth. Drizzle over the cooled cake lovingly. Serve warm or room temp with coffee, tea, or your beverage of choice.
🎨 Serving Suggestions & Pairings:
There’s nothing like serving a hearty slice of Banana Coffee Cake with a cup of comforting coffee or tea. A side of seasonal fresh fruit, Greek yogurt, or whipped cream elevates this simple cake into a brunch-worthy experience. For gatherings, cut into bite-sized squares—you’ll have plenty to share (or politely hoard!).
💡 Pro Tips from Chef’s Kitchen:
1. Extra ripe bananas are key! Choose deeply speckled bananas—they offer sweetest flavor and tender cakes.
2. Sift the dry ingredients for lighter-than-air crumb texture.
3. Use full-fat sour cream or a rich Greek yogurt for maximum moistness.
4. Don’t overmix your batter—stir just until combined to avoid dense cake.
5. For crisp, crumbly streusel, gently break apart crumbs while sprinkling evenly atop batter.
📋 Nutritional Information (Per Serving):
– Calories: ~296 per slice
– Carbohydrates: 47g
– Protein: 5g
– Fat: 10g
🏷️ Storage Tips:
Keep your cake fresh! Stored in an airtight container at room temperature, it’ll stay moist and delicious for 3–4 days. If keeping longer, freeze slices wrapped individually and thaw anytime you’re craving a cozy treat.
From ripe bananas to golden buttery streusel—baking this Banana Coffee Cake brings warmth, joy, and cozy conversations back into the kitchen. I can’t wait for you to try it and create beautiful memories of your own. Happy baking!
