๐ Introduction
What do you get when you cross a soft, moist banana bread with the crumbly, sweet topping of a classic coffee cake? Coffee Cake Banana Bread! This beautiful hybrid is the ultimate anytime treat: moist banana bread base, topped with buttery cinnamon streusel and finished with a drizzle of glaze. Itโs dessert. Itโs breakfast. Itโs snack time. And itโs 100% crave-worthy.
This recipe is perfect for using up ripe bananas, impressing guests at brunch, or freezing ahead for busy mornings. The magic lies in the textureโthe soft banana crumb meets the crunchy, cinnamon-spiced topping in every bite. Itโs comforting, nostalgic, and surprisingly easy to make.
๐งฐ Equipment Needed
- 9ร5-inch loaf pan
- Mixing bowls (large and small)
- Whisk
- Rubber spatula
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Cooling rack
- Fork (for streusel)
- Optional: piping bag or spoon for glaze drizzle
๐ Ingredients
For the Banana Bread Base:
- 3 medium ripe bananas, mashed
- ยฝ cup unsalted butter, melted
- ยพ cup brown sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1ยฝ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking soda
- ยผ tsp salt
- ยฝ tsp cinnamon
- ยผ cup sour cream or Greek yogurt
For the Streusel Topping:
- โ cup brown sugar
- ยผ cup all-purpose flour
- ยฝ tsp cinnamon
- 2 Tbsp unsalted butter, cold and cubed
For the Vanilla Glaze (Optional):
- ยฝ cup powdered sugar
- 1โ2 Tbsp milk
- ยฝ tsp vanilla extract
๐ฉโ๐ณ Directions
- Preheat & Prepare Pan
- Preheat oven to 350ยฐF (175ยฐC).
- Grease a 9ร5-inch loaf pan and line with parchment for easy removal.
- Make the Streusel Topping
- In a small bowl, combine brown sugar, flour, and cinnamon.
- Cut in cold butter using a fork until crumbly. Refrigerate until ready.
- Prepare Banana Bread Batter
- In a large bowl, mash bananas. Whisk in melted butter, brown sugar, eggs, and vanilla.
- Stir in sour cream or yogurt until smooth.
- Add Dry Ingredients
- Add flour, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon. Stir gently until just combinedโdo not overmix.
- Assemble in Pan
- Pour batter into prepared loaf pan.
- Sprinkle streusel topping evenly over the batter.
- Bake
- Bake for 55โ65 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- If the top browns too fast, loosely tent with foil after 40 minutes.
- Cool & Glaze
- Let cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a rack.
- Mix glaze ingredients and drizzle over the cooled loaf.
๐ฝ๏ธ Servings & Timing
- Servings: 8โ10 slices
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Bake Time: 60 minutes
- Total Time: ~1 hour 15 minutes
Ideal for cozy mornings, gifting, or anytime banana bread cravings strike.
๐ง Storage & Reheating
- Room Temp: Store covered for up to 3 days.
- Refrigerator: Keeps fresh for up to 1 week in an airtight container.
- Freezer: Freeze slices or whole loaf (unfrosted) for up to 3 months. Wrap tightly.
- Reheat: Warm slices in the microwave for 15โ20 seconds before serving.
๐ฅ Variations
- Add Nuts: Mix in ยฝ cup chopped walnuts or pecans.
- Chocolate Twist: Fold in ยฝ cup mini chocolate chips to the batter.
- Maple Glaze: Swap milk in the glaze for maple syrup for fall vibes.
- Mini Loaves: Bake in mini loaf pans for 25โ30 minutesโgreat for gifting.
- Cream Cheese Swirl: Add spoonfuls of sweetened cream cheese and swirl into the batter before baking.
โ 10 FAQs
- Can I use frozen bananas?
Yesโthaw them completely and drain any excess liquid before using. - Can I double the streusel?
Absolutely! If you love extra crumble, double the topping and press it lightly into the batter. - Why add sour cream or yogurt?
It makes the bread extra moist and gives a subtle tang. - What if I donโt have brown sugar?
Substitute with white sugar and a tablespoon of molasses if available. - Can I make this gluten-free?
Use a 1:1 gluten-free baking blend and check that all mix-ins are certified GF. - Is the glaze necessary?
Optional, but it adds a delicious sweetness and polished look. - Can I bake this in a cake pan?
Yes, use an 8-inch square pan and reduce bake time to about 40โ45 minutes. - How ripe should the bananas be?
Very ripeโdeep yellow with brown spots or even completely brown is best. - Can I make it vegan?
Yesโuse flax eggs, dairy-free yogurt, and plant-based butter. - Why did my bread sink in the middle?
It may be underbaked or overmixed. Be sure to bake until fully set and donโt over-stir.
๐ Conclusion
Coffee Cake Banana Bread is the best of both worldsโcomforting, cinnamon-scented streusel paired with moist banana flavor. Itโs the kind of loaf that makes your kitchen smell amazing and your taste buds do a happy dance. Whether you’re serving it for brunch or enjoying a slice with coffee, this recipe is sure to become a repeat favorite.
๐โ Coffee Cake Banana Bread โ Moist Banana Loaf with Cinnamon Streusel Crumble
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Preheat oven to 350ยฐF (175ยฐC).
- Grease a 9ร5-inch loaf pan and line with parchment for easy removal.
- In a small bowl, combine brown sugar, flour, and cinnamon.
- Cut in cold butter using a fork until crumbly. Refrigerate until ready.
- In a large bowl, mash bananas. Whisk in melted butter, brown sugar, eggs, and vanilla.
- Stir in sour cream or yogurt until smooth.
- Add flour, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon. Stir gently until just combinedโdo not overmix.
- Assemble in Pan
- Pour batter into prepared loaf pan.
- Sprinkle streusel topping evenly over the batter.
- Bake for 55โ65 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- If the top browns too fast, loosely tent with foil after 40 minutes.
- Let cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a rack.
- Mix glaze ingredients and drizzle over the cooled loaf.
Notes
Yesโthaw them completely and drain any excess liquid before using. Can I double the streusel?
Absolutely! If you love extra crumble, double the topping and press it lightly into the batter. Why add sour cream or yogurt?
It makes the bread extra moist and gives a subtle tang. What if I donโt have brown sugar?
Substitute with white sugar and a tablespoon of molasses if available. Can I make this gluten-free?
Use a 1:1 gluten-free baking blend and check that all mix-ins are certified GF. Is the glaze necessary?
Optional, but it adds a delicious sweetness and polished look. Can I bake this in a cake pan?
Yes, use an 8-inch square pan and reduce bake time to about 40โ45 minutes. How ripe should the bananas be?
Very ripeโdeep yellow with brown spots or even completely brown is best. Can I make it vegan?
Yesโuse flax eggs, dairy-free yogurt, and plant-based butter. Why did my bread sink in the middle?
It may be underbaked or overmixed. Be sure to bake until fully set and donโt over-stir. ๐ Conclusion Coffee Cake Banana Bread is the best of both worldsโcomforting, cinnamon-scented streusel paired with moist banana flavor. Itโs the kind of loaf that makes your kitchen smell amazing and your taste buds do a happy dance. Whether you’re serving it for brunch or enjoying a slice with coffee, this recipe is sure to become a repeat favorite.