Description
This Banana Bread Coffee Cake combines the moist, rich flavor of classic banana bread with a crumbly cinnamon streusel topping and a sweet vanilla glaze. Perfect for breakfast or dessert, this American-style coffee cake is easy to prepare and delivers comforting, delicious layers of banana and buttery streusel in every bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Banana Bread Layer
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup mashed ripe bananas (about 2–3 bananas)
- 1/2 cup sour cream or Greek yogurt
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Streusel Topping
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 cup cold unsalted butter, cubed
Glaze
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 1–2 tablespoons milk
- 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Prepare the Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9-inch square baking pan with butter or nonstick spray, or line it with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
- Cream Butter and Sugars: In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened unsalted butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar together until the mixture becomes light and fluffy, which creates the perfect base for a tender cake.
- Add Eggs and Wet Ingredients: Beat in the eggs one at a time, ensuring each is fully incorporated before adding the next. Then mix in the vanilla extract, mashed ripe bananas, and sour cream or Greek yogurt until the batter is smooth and well combined.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt. This ensures even distribution of leavening agents and seasoning.
- Mix Wet and Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet banana mixture, folding gently until just combined to maintain a tender texture without overmixing.
- Assemble the Batter: Pour the batter into the prepared baking pan and use a spatula to smooth the surface evenly for uniform baking.
- Prepare Streusel Topping: In a small bowl, mix the brown sugar, flour, and ground cinnamon. Cut in the cold cubed unsalted butter using a fork or pastry cutter until the mixture reaches a coarse crumb texture.
- Add Streusel Topping: Evenly sprinkle the streusel mixture over the batter, providing a sweet, crunchy contrast to the soft cake.
- Bake the Cake: Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for 35 to 40 minutes. Check doneness by inserting a toothpick into the center; it should come out clean or with a few moist crumbs.
- Cool the Cake: Remove the cake from the oven and allow it to cool completely in the pan on a wire rack to set the texture and prevent the glaze from melting.
- Make the Glaze: In a small bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar, milk (start with 1 tablespoon and add more if needed for desired consistency), and vanilla extract until smooth and pourable.
- Glaze the Cake: Drizzle the vanilla glaze evenly over the cooled cake. Slice into squares and serve for a delightful treat.
Notes
- Use overripe bananas for the best flavor and moist texture.
- For added crunch and flavor, fold in chopped walnuts or pecans into the batter or sprinkle some into the streusel topping before baking.
- Store leftovers covered at room temperature for up to 2 days to maintain freshness.
