This easy banana coffee cake is soft, moist, and full of sweet banana flavor with a delicious buttery cinnamon crumb topping. It is the perfect homemade treat for breakfast, brunch, or an afternoon snack with a warm cup of coffee.
Made with ripe bananas and simple pantry ingredients, this coffee cake has a tender banana cake base topped with a sweet cinnamon streusel. Every bite is soft, flavorful, and comforting.
If you have a few overripe bananas sitting on your kitchen counter, this easy banana coffee cake is a delicious way to use them.
Why You’ll Love This Banana Coffee Cake
- Soft and moist
- Delicious banana flavor
- Buttery cinnamon crumb topping
- Easy to make
- Made with simple pantry ingredients
- Perfect for breakfast or brunch
- Great with coffee or tea
- Family-friendly
- Perfect for using ripe bananas
- Freezer-friendly
Ingredients
For the Banana Coffee Cake
- 2 large ripe bananas, mashed
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
For the Cinnamon Crumb Topping
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/3 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
Ingredient Notes
Use Ripe Bananas
Very ripe bananas with brown spots work best for this recipe.
They are sweeter, softer, and add plenty of moisture and natural banana flavor to the cake.
Sour Cream
Sour cream helps create a soft and moist cake texture.
You can use plain Greek yogurt as an alternative.
Brown Sugar
Brown sugar gives the crumb topping a warm caramel-like flavor.
How to Make Banana Coffee Cake
1. Preheat the Oven
Preheat your oven to 350°F.
Grease an 8×8-inch baking pan or line it with parchment paper.
2. Prepare the Cinnamon Crumb Topping
In a medium bowl, combine:
- Flour
- Brown sugar
- Cinnamon
Pour in the melted butter.
Use a fork to mix everything together until large crumbs form.
Set aside.
3. Mash the Bananas
Place the ripe bananas in a bowl.
Mash them with a fork until mostly smooth.
A few small pieces are completely fine.
4. Cream the Butter and Sugar
In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter and granulated sugar together until light and creamy.
5. Add the Eggs and Vanilla
Add the eggs one at a time.
Mix well after each addition.
Add the vanilla extract and mix again.
6. Add the Banana and Sour Cream
Add the mashed bananas and sour cream.
Mix until everything is well combined.
7. Mix the Dry Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk together:
- Flour
- Baking powder
- Baking soda
- Cinnamon
- Salt
8. Make the Cake Batter
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the banana mixture.
Mix gently until just combined.
Do not overmix.
The batter should be thick and smooth.
9. Add the Batter to the Pan
Spread the banana cake batter evenly into the prepared baking pan.
10. Add the Crumb Topping
Sprinkle the cinnamon crumb topping evenly over the batter.
Make sure the crumbs are spread across the entire surface.
11. Bake
Bake for approximately 35–40 minutes.
The cake is ready when a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs.
12. Cool and Serve
Allow the banana coffee cake to cool slightly before slicing.
Serve warm or at room temperature.
Tips for the Best Banana Coffee Cake
Use Very Ripe Bananas
Ripe bananas create a sweeter and more flavorful cake.
Avoid using firm green bananas.
Don’t Overmix the Batter
Mix the batter only until the dry ingredients are incorporated.
Overmixing can make the cake dense.
Make Sure the Butter Is Softened
Softened butter blends smoothly with the sugar and helps create a tender cake.
Check the Cake Early
Start checking the cake around the 35-minute mark because oven temperatures can vary.
Banana Coffee Cake Variations
Chocolate Chip Banana Coffee Cake
Fold 1/2 cup chocolate chips into the banana cake batter before baking.
Banana Nut Coffee Cake
Add 1/2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans to the batter or crumb topping.
Cream Cheese Banana Coffee Cake
Add small spoonfuls of sweetened cream cheese mixture between the batter and crumb topping.
Maple Banana Coffee Cake
Replace the vanilla extract with a small amount of maple extract for a warm fall-inspired flavor.
Blueberry Banana Coffee Cake
Gently fold 1/2 cup fresh blueberries into the batter.
How to Store Banana Coffee Cake
Allow the cake to cool completely.
Store it in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
For longer storage, refrigerate for up to 1 week.
Can You Freeze Banana Coffee Cake?
Yes.
Allow the cake to cool completely.
Wrap individual slices or the entire cake tightly.
Place in a freezer-safe container or bag.
Freeze for up to 2 months for the best quality.
Thaw at room temperature before serving.
What to Serve with Banana Coffee Cake
This delicious cake pairs well with:
- Hot coffee
- Iced coffee
- Tea
- Cold milk
- Fresh berries
- Greek yogurt
Frequently Asked Questions
Why Is It Called Coffee Cake?
Coffee cake usually refers to a sweet cake designed to be enjoyed with coffee.
Most traditional coffee cakes do not actually contain coffee.
Can I Use Frozen Bananas?
Yes.
Allow frozen bananas to thaw completely before using them.
Mash them well before adding them to the batter.
Can I Use Greek Yogurt Instead of Sour Cream?
Yes.
Plain Greek yogurt is a good substitute for sour cream.
It may create a slightly different flavor and texture.
Can I Make This in a Loaf Pan?
Yes.
You can use a loaf pan, but the baking time may change.
Check the cake with a toothpick before removing it from the oven.
Why Is My Coffee Cake Dry?
Coffee cake can become dry if too much flour is used or if it is overbaked.
Measure carefully and start checking for doneness early.
Recipe Card
Easy Banana Coffee Cake
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 35–40 minutes
Total Time: About 55 minutes
Servings: 9
Ingredients
Banana Coffee Cake
- 2 large ripe bananas, mashed
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Cinnamon Crumb Topping
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/3 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F.
- Grease or line an 8×8-inch baking pan.
- Mix the crumb topping ingredients together until crumbs form.
- Mash the ripe bananas.
- Beat the softened butter and sugar until creamy.
- Add the eggs and vanilla extract.
- Mix in the mashed bananas and sour cream.
- In another bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt.
- Add the dry ingredients to the banana mixture and stir gently until combined.
- Spread the batter evenly into the prepared pan.
- Sprinkle the cinnamon crumb topping over the batter.
- Bake for 35–40 minutes.
- Cool slightly before slicing and serving.
Storage: Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.