Moist Banana Bread Crumb Cake

What Makes This Banana Coffee Cake So Great

• Put those overripe bananas to good use. I’m always looking for recipes using bananas, especially the ones in my fruit bowl that are barely past their prime. Overripe bananas are perfect for baking banana bread, banana muffins, and, yes, crumb cake!
• Two favorite treats in one. This recipe is a delicious mash-up of banana bread with crumb cake, made in a pan and layered with crunchy streusel. It’s a match made in baking heaven!
• It’s super easy to make. This cake requires simple pantry ingredients and only a handful of steps. It comes together with just 15 minutes of prep.
• It pairs perfectly with coffee or a glass of milk. So you can literally have your cake for breakfast, and eat it, too. Not to mention, this soft, tender crumb cake also makes a fabulous dessert topped with a scoop of ice cream.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Here’s what you’ll need to make this amazing banana coffee cake. I’ve included notes and substitutions here, and you’ll find the full printable recipe with the amounts in the recipe card after the post.

• Bananas – This cake is the perfect occasion to use any ripe or just over-ripe bananas you have, the senior citizens of the bunch. 
• Butter – For best results, bring the butter to room temperature.
• Granulated Sugar – When it comes to a moist and fluffy cake, white granulated sugar is always the most reliable. You could also use light brown sugar.
• Dry Ingredients – All-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt. Check the expiration date on your baking powder to make sure it’s fresh.
• Vanilla – Pure vanilla extract will give the best and most natural flavor.
• Milk and Eggs – You can use any kind of milk you’d like. For even more flavor, try substituting regular milk with buttermilk.

For the Streusel

• Butter – Make sure it’s cold from the fridge and cut into cubes.
• Brown Sugar – Light or dark brown sugar both work well here.
• Flour

How to Make Banana Crumb Cake

The secret to this banana cake is in the delicious crumb that’s not just sprinkled over the top, but also swirled throughout the cake. It’s easy to do following the steps below. Scroll down to the recipe card for the printable instructions.

• Mix the batter. Start by whisking flour with baking powder and salt. In a separate bowl, mash your bananas, then mix in the butter, sugar, eggs, and vanilla. Then, add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, alternating with the milk, until the batter is just combined.
• Prepare the streusel. In a new bowl, combine the crumb ingredients and cut in the butter with a fork (or a pastry cutter, if you have one). 
• Assemble the cake. Now, pour about half of the batter into a greased 9×13″ baking pan. Sprinkle a layer of streusel over the top, and add the remaining batter over the crumb layer. Lastly, top with one last layer of crumb mixture.
• Bake. Bake this banana crumb cake at 350ºF for 50-55 minutes. When a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, your cake is done!

Recipe Tips

• Measure correctly. When it comes to baking, the number one misstep is too much flour packed into the measuring cup. If you’re using a measuring cup and not a kitchen scale, rather spoon the flour into the cup and then level it off with a knife, to avoid adding too much flour to the batter.
• Don’t overmix. Another cardinal rule is not to overmix the batter! When mixing in the flour, add it in gradually, alternating with the milk, and mix until the batter is just combined. This will yield the best possible texture when the cake is baked.
• Add a glaze. After the cake has cooled for a few minutes, whisk 1 cup of powdered sugar with 1-2 tablespoons of milk, and drizzle it over the cake.

How to Store

• On the counter. Store this coffee cake airtight at room temperature for up to 2 days.
• Freeze. Wrap the cake tightly in a double layer of plastic wrap or aluminum foil, then store frozen for up to 2 months. Thaw the crumb cake in the fridge overnight and then allow it to come to room temperature before serving.

More Banana Recipes

• Banana Blueberry Muffins
• Chocolate Chip Banana Bread
• Banana Scones
• Peanut Butter Banana Bread
• Moist Banana Pound Cake