Welcome to the ultimate fusion of two beloved baking classics: **Banana Bread Coffee Cake**. Imagine the comforting, rich flavors of your favorite homemade banana bread, now elevated with the irresistible cinnamon swirl and crunchy streusel topping of a classic coffee cake. This isn’t just a cake; it’s an experience, delivering an explosion of incredible cinnamon and banana flavor in every bite. It boasts a remarkably soft and moist banana bread base, beautifully contrasted by a decadent cinnamon swirl filling, a crisp cinnamon streusel topping, and a delicate vanilla glaze. Best of all, this delectable creation comes together with surprising ease – no stand mixer required!
If you’re searching for a coffee cake that truly embodies the deep, comforting essence of banana bread, your quest ends here. This recipe is designed for those who appreciate a bold, authentic banana flavor complemented by warm spices. The textural interplay is, without a doubt, a highlight of this cake. Each forkful offers the perfect balance: an incredibly soft and moist cake imbued with natural banana sweetness, topped with a delightful streusel that adds a satisfying crunch. This harmonious contrast makes every bite an absolute pleasure.
Despite its impressive appearance and complex flavor profile, this **banana bread coffee cake** is surprisingly simple to make. While the recipe involves four distinct components – the streusel, cinnamon filling, banana cake, and vanilla glaze – none of them demand an electric mixer. Everything can be mixed by hand with basic kitchen tools, making it an accessible baking project for home cooks of all skill levels. This updated version of the recipe, previously designed for a bundt pan, has been streamlined to be even easier to prepare in a standard square baking dish, ensuring a perfect bake every time.
For those who love the versatility of bananas in baking, be sure to explore more of our delightful recipes: Banana Peanut Butter Cookies, Nutella Banana Muffins, and Cinnamon Chocolate Chip Banana Bread. Each offers a unique way to enjoy the sweet, creamy goodness of bananas.
Why This Banana Bread Coffee Cake Recipe Stands Out
This **banana bread coffee cake** isn’t just another sweet treat; it’s a carefully crafted recipe designed to deliver maximum flavor and an exceptional baking experience. Here’s why this recipe deserves a prime spot in your baking repertoire:
- Unbelievably Moist Banana Cake: The foundation of this spectacular dessert is my tried-and-true banana bread base recipe, which also forms the heart of my popular Cinnamon Swirl Banana Bread. It’s engineered for ultimate moisture and tenderness, resulting in a cake that melts in your mouth. The secret lies in using perfectly overripe bananas, coupled with rich ingredients and a thoughtful mixing technique that keeps the batter light and prevents over-development of gluten. Plus, the convenience of a one-bowl method for the batter means less cleanup and more time to enjoy your delicious creation.
- Irresistible Cinnamon Swirl Filling: What’s a classic coffee cake without a decadent swirl? This recipe features a luscious cinnamon swirl generously layered within the cake. As it bakes, this sweet spice mixture caramelizes slightly, creating pockets of intense cinnamon flavor and a beautiful visual appeal that runs through the heart of each slice. It’s the essential element that transforms a simple banana bread into an extraordinary coffee cake.
- Perfectly Crunchy Streusel Crumb Topping: A hallmark of any great coffee cake is its crumb topping, and this recipe delivers a truly exceptional one. The easy-to-make streusel creates a delightful textural contrast. While baking, the top achieves a beautiful golden crunch, offering a satisfying bite against the soft cake beneath. This duality – crunchy on top, soft and buttery just below – adds another layer of complexity and pleasure to every piece.
- Sweet Vanilla Glaze Finish: To complete this culinary masterpiece, a simple yet elegant vanilla glaze is drizzled generously over the warm cake. This glaze isn’t just for show; it adds a subtle layer of sweetness and a touch of creamy vanilla that perfectly complements the rich banana and spicy cinnamon flavors. As it melts into the warm streusel and cake, it creates little pockets of extra deliciousness, enhancing both flavor and moisture.
Essential Ingredient Notes for the Best Banana Bread Coffee Cake
Selecting the right ingredients and preparing them properly is key to achieving the perfect texture and flavor in your **banana bread coffee cake**. Here are some detailed notes on the crucial ingredients. For a complete list of quantities, please refer to the recipe card below.
- Unsalted Butter: For both the streusel and the banana bread batter, the butter needs to be melted and then cooled to room temperature. This is crucial. If the butter is too warm when added, it can negatively affect the texture of both the streusel (making it too greasy or hard) and the cake batter (potentially causing a dense or oily crumb). Allowing it to cool ensures proper incorporation and a tender result.
- Brown Sugar: We recommend using light brown sugar for this recipe. Its molasses content adds a lovely depth of flavor and contributes significantly to the cake’s moistness and chewiness. While dark brown sugar can be used, it will impart a stronger molasses flavor. Ensure it is packed firmly when measuring.
- Eggs: Always use large eggs for consistent results. It’s essential that your eggs are at room temperature before you begin mixing. Room temperature eggs emulsify more easily with other ingredients, creating a smoother, more uniform batter and a lighter, more voluminous cake structure. Take them out of the refrigerator at least 2 hours before you plan to start baking.
- Sour Cream: Sour cream is a secret weapon for achieving an incredibly moist and tender cake. Its acidity reacts with the baking soda, helping the cake rise, while its fat content contributes to a rich, soft crumb. Like the eggs, allow the sour cream to come to room temperature for better incorporation. If sour cream isn’t available, plain full-fat Greek yogurt can be used as a suitable substitute, offering similar moisture and tang.
- Overripe Bananas: The star of the show! The success of this **banana bread coffee cake** heavily relies on using truly overripe bananas. Look for bananas with abundant brown spots, or even almost entirely brown/black peels. These bananas are naturally sweeter, much easier to mash, and infuse the cake with a more intense, authentic banana flavor. Underripe bananas will result in a less flavorful and potentially drier cake.
- Powdered Sugar: For the vanilla glaze, always sift your powdered sugar. Powdered sugar often contains small lumps, which can lead to a grainy or inconsistent glaze. Sifting ensures a perfectly smooth, pourable glaze that will beautifully coat your cake.
- Milk: Any type of milk will work perfectly for the vanilla glaze. Whole milk will provide a slightly richer, creamier glaze, while skim or plant-based milks will yield a lighter consistency. Adjust the amount to achieve your desired pourable thickness.
Step-by-Step Instructions: Crafting Your Banana Bread Coffee Cake
Get ready to bake a masterpiece! This section will guide you through each step to create this incredible **banana bread coffee cake**. Remember, no electric mixer is needed, making this a truly hands-on and rewarding baking experience. You will need a 9×9-inch square baking pan for best results.
STEP 1: Prepare the Irresistible Streusel Topping. In a medium-sized mixing bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, both brown and white granulated sugars, ground cinnamon, and a pinch of salt. Pour in the melted and cooled unsalted butter. Begin by mixing these ingredients with a fork. As the butter incorporates, the mixture will start to clump. For the best streusel texture, switch to using your fingertips to gently rub the ingredients together, forming distinct crumbs and larger clumps. This manual mixing creates that perfect varied texture. Once prepared, transfer the streusel to a small bowl and chill it in the refrigerator while you prepare the rest of the cake components. Chilling helps the streusel hold its shape and ensures a crispier bake.
STEP 2: Create the Aromatic Cinnamon Filling. In a separate small bowl, simply combine the packed brown sugar and ground cinnamon. Use a fork or a small whisk to mix them thoroughly until the cinnamon is evenly distributed throughout the sugar. Set this aromatic filling aside; it will be layered into the cake later to create that signature coffee cake swirl.
STEP 3: Combine the Wet Ingredients for the Banana Bread Batter. In a large mixing bowl, the heart of your banana bread batter comes to life. Start by adding the melted and cooled unsalted butter, packed brown sugar, white granulated sugar, large room temperature eggs, room temperature sour cream (or Greek yogurt), and pure vanilla extract. Finally, add the well-mashed overripe bananas. Using a whisk, vigorously mix these wet ingredients together until they are fully combined and the mixture appears smooth and homogenous. Ensure there are no large lumps of banana remaining.
STEP 4: Gently Fold in the Dry Ingredients. To the wet ingredient mixture, add the dry components: all-purpose flour (properly measured!), baking soda, salt, and ground cinnamon. With a rubber spatula or a wooden spoon, gently fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture. Mix until just combined. It’s crucial not to overmix the batter at this stage, as overmixing can develop the gluten in the flour, leading to a tough and dry cake. A few small streaks of flour are perfectly acceptable and will disappear during baking.
STEP 5: Layer the Cake for a Stunning Swirl. Begin by pouring exactly half of your prepared banana bread batter into the greased and parchment-lined 9×9-inch square pan. Use a rubber spatula to gently spread the batter evenly across the bottom of the pan, ensuring a consistent base for your filling. Next, take all of the cinnamon filling you prepared in Step 2 and sprinkle it generously and evenly over this first layer of batter. Avoid pressing it down. Then, carefully spread the remaining half of the banana batter over the cinnamon filling. This step requires a gentle hand to prevent disturbing the cinnamon layer too much. Finally, retrieve the chilled streusel topping from the fridge. Use your hands to break apart any large clumps, then generously sprinkle it evenly over the top of the cake batter. This creates a beautiful, textural crown for your **banana bread coffee cake**.
STEP 6: Bake to Golden Perfection and Glaze. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Place the prepared pan into the preheated oven and bake for approximately 40-45 minutes. The baking time can vary slightly depending on your oven, so always rely on visual cues and a toothpick test. The cake is done when the streusel topping is golden brown and a wooden toothpick inserted into the center of the cake (avoiding the streusel clumps or cinnamon swirl) comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs attached, but no wet batter. Once baked, remove the pan from the oven and let the cake cool in the hot pan for a minimum of 10 minutes. This resting period allows the cake to set and prevents it from crumbling when moved. After 10 minutes, carefully lift the cake out of the pan using the parchment paper overhangs and transfer it to a wire cooling rack. While the cake is still warm (but not piping hot), prepare the vanilla glaze and drizzle it generously over the entire surface of the cake. The warmth of the cake will allow the glaze to melt slightly, seep into the streusel cracks, and create a beautiful, glossy finish. Allow the cake to cool completely before slicing and serving for the best texture and flavor.
Expert Baking Tips for a Flawless Banana Bread Coffee Cake
Achieving baking perfection often comes down to a few key techniques and insider knowledge. Follow these expert tips to ensure your **banana bread coffee cake** turns out absolutely phenomenal every time:
- Properly Measure Your Flour: This is perhaps one of the most critical steps in baking. Always use the “spoon and level” method for flour. Gently spoon the all-purpose flour into your measuring cup until it overflows, then use the straight edge of a knife or a bench scraper to level it off. Never scoop the measuring cup directly into the flour bag, as this compacts the flour, adding too much to your recipe. Excess flour is a common culprit for dry, dense cakes. For ultimate precision, consider using a kitchen scale to measure flour by weight.
- Effortless Cake Removal: To ensure your beautiful **banana bread coffee cake** comes out of the pan cleanly and easily, proper pan preparation is key. First, generously spray the inside of your 9×9-inch pan with a good quality baking nonstick spray. Then, line the bottom and two opposite sides of the pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang to create “handles.” Spray the parchment paper again. This double layer of protection ensures that once the cake has cooled slightly, you can simply lift it out of the pan by the parchment paper handles without any sticking or breakage.
- The Warm Glaze Advantage: For the most visually appealing and flavorful result, apply the vanilla glaze when the cake is still warm (after its initial 10-minute cooling period). The residual heat of the cake will cause the glaze to melt slightly and beautifully seep into all the nooks and crannies of the streusel topping. This creates a more cohesive finish and infuses extra moisture and sweetness into every bite.
- Mashing Bananas Like a Pro: For perfectly mashed bananas without too much effort, place your overripe bananas on a plate or in a sturdy bowl. Use either a fork or a potato masher to mash them until smooth, with just a few small lumps for texture if you prefer. Ensure they are thoroughly mashed before adding them to the wet ingredients.
- High Altitude Baking Adjustment: If you reside at a higher altitude (generally above 3,500 feet or 1,000 meters), the decreased atmospheric pressure can affect how baked goods rise. To compensate and ensure your **banana bread coffee cake** doesn’t rise too quickly and then collapse, add an extra 2 tablespoons of all-purpose flour to the banana bread batter. This slight increase in dry ingredients helps to stabilize the cake’s structure.
- Room Temperature Ingredients Are a Must: Beyond the eggs and sour cream mentioned earlier, ensure all dairy ingredients (and butter for the cake batter) are at room temperature. This allows them to emulsify better, creating a smooth, lump-free batter that bakes evenly and results in a superior, more tender texture.
- Don’t Overmix the Batter: After adding the dry ingredients to the wet, mix only until just combined. Overmixing develops gluten, which can lead to a tough, chewy cake rather than the desired soft and moist crumb. A few small streaks of flour are fine; they will disappear during baking.
Frequently Asked Questions About Banana Bread Coffee Cake
Here are answers to some common questions you might have when making this delicious **banana bread coffee cake**:
While the recipe is optimized for a 9×9-inch square pan, an 8×8-inch square pan will not work well for this recipe. The batter would be too thick in an 8×8-inch pan, making it difficult for the cake to bake through properly and resulting in a dense, possibly undercooked center. However, you can absolutely double the recipe to utilize a larger 9×13-inch baking pan. If doubling, ensure you adjust the baking time, which will likely be longer, and continue to use the toothpick test for doneness.
Traditionally, a coffee cake is defined by its characteristic features: it’s typically a single-layer cake, often flavored with cinnamon, and almost always topped with a streusel or crumb topping. It’s designed to be enjoyed alongside coffee, especially for breakfast or brunch. Our **banana bread coffee cake** perfectly fits this description, delivering all those classic elements – the cinnamon, the streusel, the single layer – but with the added delightful twist of moist, flavorful banana bread as its base, making it a unique and satisfying treat.
Yes, you certainly can! This versatile **banana bread coffee cake** batter adapts wonderfully to muffins. This recipe will yield approximately 24 standard-sized muffins. To bake, line a muffin tin with paper liners, fill each cup about two-thirds full, and bake for a shorter duration, typically between 16-20 minutes. Keep a close eye on them, as baking times can vary. A toothpick inserted into the center of a muffin should come out clean when they’re done.
Absolutely! Frozen overripe bananas are excellent for this recipe. Just make sure to thaw them completely before mashing. As they thaw, they will release a lot of liquid; drain off any excess liquid before mashing to avoid an overly wet batter that could affect the cake’s texture.
Yes, you can! For added flavor and texture, feel free to fold in about ½ to 1 cup of chopped walnuts, pecans, or chocolate chips (milk, semi-sweet, or dark) into the banana bread batter during Step 4, just before pouring into the pan. This will add another delightful dimension to your coffee cake.
Storing and Freezing Your Banana Bread Coffee Cake
Proper storage is essential to keep your **banana bread coffee cake** fresh and delicious for as long as possible, allowing you to enjoy its delightful flavors for days to come.
Storing
To maintain its optimal freshness, moisture, and flavor, store the **banana bread coffee cake** in an airtight container at room temperature. Placed on your countertop, it will stay wonderfully moist and flavorful for up to 5 days. Ensure the container is truly airtight to prevent the cake from drying out and the streusel from losing its crispness.
Freezing
This **banana bread coffee cake** freezes beautifully, making it perfect for meal prep or enjoying a slice whenever a craving strikes. For best results, allow the cake to cool completely after baking and glazing. Once cool, wrap individual slices tightly in plastic wrap, then place them in a freezer-safe airtight container or a heavy-duty freezer bag. This double-layer protection helps prevent freezer burn. The cake can be frozen for up to 30 days without significant loss of quality.
To enjoy, simply remove a slice from the freezer and thaw it on the kitchen counter for 1-2 hours until it reaches room temperature. You can also gently warm it in the microwave for a few seconds for a freshly baked experience.
Other Irresistible Cinnamon Recipes To Try
If you’ve enjoyed the warm, comforting spices in this **banana bread coffee cake**, you’ll love exploring more of our cinnamon-infused recipes. Make sure to leave a STAR REVIEW if you loved this recipe! We’d love to see your creations – tag us on Instagram @stephaniesweettreats. To get more delicious baking ideas and inspiration, be sure to follow us on Pinterest.
Banana Bread Coffee Cake
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Ingredients
Cinnamon Streusel Topping
- 1/2 cup Brown sugar, packed light or dark
- 1/4 cup White granulated sugar
- 1 1/2 tsp Ground cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp Salt
- 1 1/4 cup All-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup Unsalted butter, melted
Cinnamon Filling
- 3 TBSP Brown sugar, packed
- 1 1/2 tsp Ground cinnamon
Banana Bread
- 1/2 cup Unsalted butter, melted and cooled
- 1/2 cup Brown sugar, packed
- 1/4 cup White granulated sugar
- 2 Large eggs, room temperature
- 1/4 cup Sour cream, room temperature
- 1 tsp Pure vanilla extract
- 3 Medium over ripe bananas, mashed
- 2 cups All-purpose flour
- 1 tsp Baking soda
- 1/2 tsp Salt
- 1 tsp Ground cinnamon
Vanilla Glaze
- 1 cup Powdered sugar, sifted
- 1/2 tsp Pure vanilla extract
- 1-2 TBSP Milk
Instructions
Cinnamon Streusel Topping
- In a medium bowl, thoroughly combine the brown sugar, white granulated sugar, cinnamon, salt, all-purpose flour, and melted butter using a fork until a crumbly, clumpy mixture forms. For the best texture, use your hands to further clump the streusel together. Place the bowl in the fridge to chill while you proceed with preparing the rest of the cake.1/2 cup Brown sugar, 1/4 cup White granulated sugar, 1 1/2 tsp Ground cinnamon, 1/4 tsp Salt, 1 1/4 cup All-purpose flour, 1/2 cup Unsalted butter
Cinnamon Filling
- In a small bowl, mix the brown sugar and ground cinnamon together until well combined. Set this mixture aside.3 TBSP Brown sugar, 1 1/2 tsp Ground cinnamon
Banana Bread
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Prepare your 9×9-inch square pan by spraying it thoroughly with baking nonstick spray. Line the bottom and two opposite sides with parchment paper, leaving an overhang to create handles, and spray the parchment paper again for easy removal.
- In a large bowl, combine the melted butter (ensuring it has cooled to room temperature), brown sugar, white granulated sugar, pure vanilla extract, room temperature eggs, room temperature sour cream, and the well-mashed overripe bananas. Use a whisk to mix these wet ingredients until they are thoroughly combined and the mixture is smooth.1/2 cup Unsalted butter, 1/2 cup Brown sugar, 1/4 cup White granulated sugar, 2 Large eggs, 1/4 cup Sour cream, 1 tsp Pure vanilla extract, 3 Medium over ripe bananas
- Add the all-purpose flour (spooned and leveled), baking soda, salt, and ground cinnamon to the wet ingredients. Gently fold these dry ingredients into the mixture with a rubber spatula until they are just combined. Be careful not to overmix the batter; a few small streaks of flour are acceptable.2 cups All-purpose flour, 1 tsp Baking soda, 1/2 tsp Salt, 1 tsp Ground cinnamon
- Pour half of the banana batter into the prepared pan and use a rubber spatula to smooth it into an even layer. Generously sprinkle all of the cinnamon filling evenly over this first layer of batter. Then, carefully spread the remaining banana batter on top of the cinnamon filling, smoothing it gently to cover completely.
- Retrieve the chilled cinnamon streusel topping from the fridge. Use your hands to break up any larger clumps, then sprinkle the entire amount evenly over the top layer of banana batter.
- Bake the cake for 35-45 minutes. The cake is done when a wooden toothpick inserted into the center (avoiding the cinnamon swirl) comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs attached.
- Allow the cake to sit in the hot pan for 10 minutes to set. After 10 minutes, carefully transfer the cake to a wire cooling rack by holding onto the parchment paper handles to lift it out of the pan.
Vanilla Glaze
- In a small bowl, whisk together the sifted powdered sugar, pure vanilla extract, and milk. Begin by adding 1 tablespoon of milk, then add more incrementally (up to 2 tablespoons total) until the glaze reaches a smooth, pourable consistency.1 cup Powdered sugar, 1/2 tsp Pure vanilla extract, 1-2 TBSP Milk
- Generously pour the vanilla glaze over the top of the warm cake. Allow the cake to cool completely on the wire rack before slicing and serving.
Notes
High Altitude Baking: For baking at high altitudes, add an extra 2 tablespoons of all-purpose flour to the banana bread batter for better cake structure.
Room Temperature Ingredients: For optimal emulsification and a tender cake, pull out all cold dairy ingredients (eggs, sour cream) at least 2 hours before you plan to start baking.