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    Home » Recipes » Breakfast » Banana Coffee Cake recipe

    LAST UPDATED: November 4, 2022 • FIRST PUBLISHED: October 13, 2019 By Toni Dash 71 Comments

    Banana Coffee Cake recipe

    Jump to Recipe

    This post may include affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Banana Coffee Cake

    Banana Coffee Cake is moist, buttery with a sugary cinnamon ribbon in the middle and toasty crunchy top. Whoever said you can’t have cake for breakfast hasn’t tried this coffee cake recipe. Easy for breakfast and holidays.

    Banana Coffee Cake

    Whether starting off a weekend brunch or a Christmas morning, coffee cake is always a perfect choice. 

    Moist, sweet cake with a ribbon of sugary cinnamon in the middle that felt like finding an extra special present inside. It’s so easy to make and so delicious it needs to be enjoyed more often than holidays!

    This Banana Coffee Cake is a cozy recipe with homey flavors that feel being wrapped in a cozy blanket.

    Jump to:
    • What is Coffee Cake?
    • Banana Coffee Cake Ingredients
    • What Type of Bananas to Use for Banana Coffee Cake
    • How to Make Gluten-Free Banana Coffee Cake
    • How to Make a Coffee Cake Recipe
    • Chef’s Notes
    • How to Make Banana Coffee Cake – Step by Step
    • How to Store Coffee Cake
    • More Banana Recipes You’ll Love
    • Recipe
    banana coffee cake whole cake

    What is Coffee Cake?

    Coffee cake is a light, sweet cake intended to be eaten with coffee!

    It’s a great recipe for special breakfast or brunch. Easy to make and always a fun surprise. Coffee cake recipes usually have a ripple of sweet cinnamon in the middle and a toasty sweet topping.

    Their familiar sweetness is offset by the bitter flavor of coffee (but you can certainly enjoy them without coffee too).

    banana coffee cake sliced

    Banana Coffee Cake Ingredients

    The ingredients in coffee cake are the same found regular cakes and are easy to find.

    • all-purpose flour (regular or gluten-free)
    • granulated sugar
    • baking soda
    • ½ teaspoon salt
    • vegetable oil
    • eggs
    • bananas
    • cinnamon
    • light brown sugar
    • unsalted butter

    Optional: Add Nuts to the Streusel

    If you love nuts, add a 1/3 cup of chopped walnuts or pecans to the streusel topping for additional flavor and crunch!

    What Type of Bananas to Use for Banana Coffee Cake

    Ripe bananas are needed for this coffee cake recipe to give the best flavor.

    Ripe Bananas (no brown spots)

    Naturally ripened bananas before they begin to brown is what I used in this recipe. They are sweet and slightly soft perfect for mashing.

    Ripened Bananas (with brown spots)

    It’s always a dilemma what to do with overly ripened bananas. This is a great recipe to use them up.

    Bananas with brown spots are very sweet and a strong banana flavor that works great in this coffee cake recipe.

    How to Make Gluten-Free Banana Coffee Cake

    This recipe can be made regular or gluten-free.

    The only ingredient that needs to be substituted is the flour in order to make the coffee cake gluten-free.

    To make gluten-free coffee cake use your favorite gluten-free measure for measure flour blend.

    A favorite flour I use often is Bob’s Red Mill Gluten-Free 1-to-1 Baking Flour.

    It has a very natural flavor and doesn’t make baked goods gummy as some binders can.

    banana coffee cake slice

    How to Make a Coffee Cake Recipe

    Most coffee cake recipes are made in three easy steps.

    STEP 1: Make the cake batter

    STEP 2: Make the cinnamon swirl layer to go into the middle of the cake

    STEP 3: Make the sugar-butter streusel layer for the top of the cake

    The result is a perfect combination of moist cake, a cinnamon ribbon and a crunch sweet topping.

    Chef’s Notes

    Batter Thickness

    Depending on the ripeness of the bananas and the type of flour being used, the batter can be thick.

    If so it will be more ‘spreadable’ than pourable into the pan.

    Follow the directions and use this PRO TIP for spreading the batter: lightly spray a spatula or your fingertips with non-stick cooking spray.

    This will allow easily spreading the batter in the pan without it sticking.

    Banana Flavor

    The ripeness of the bananas will determine the amount of banana flavor.

    I made this recipe once with still hard, barely ripe banana and the banana flavor was very faint (but the coffee cake still good!)

    Also the flavor will be stronger once the coffee cake cools after baking.

    Pan Size

    This coffee cake recipe makes an ample coffee cake.

    I recommend using a deeper 9-inch round cake pan or spring form pan to accommodate all the ingredients. Suggested depth: 2-inches or more.

    If using a pan that is less than 2-inches in depth, the full streusel amount may not fit.

    Make the coffee cake as directed. Use 2/3’s of the streusel or the amount that provides good coverage.

    Optional:  place a baking sheet on an oven rack below the coffee cake to catch any streusel that may fall off during baking.

    Pan Color and Baking Time

    If baking in a black baking pan check the temperature earlier. Dark pans speed up the baking time.

    Baking Time

    Bake the coffee cake between 45-55 minutes. It will be done when a knife inserted comes out clean.

    How to Prevent Browning of the Streusel

    Check the coffee cake at 30 minutes and 40 minutes.

    If the streusel is beginning to brown, a piece of foil can be placed on top (shiny side up, not facing the coffee cake) for the duration of the baking.

    How to Make Banana Coffee Cake – Step by Step

    This one-layer coffee cake recipe is very easy to make. The cinnamon swirl inside and streusel on top make is a perfect breakfast or brunch recipe.

    For a detailed printable recipe refer to the recipe card at the end of the blog post.

    STEP 1. Preparation

    Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease and flour a 9-inch round cake pan.

    STEP 2. Make the batter

    In a large bowl, whisk together: flour, sugar, baking soda and salt (photo 1).

    banana coffee cake recipe steps photo collage 1

    Make a well in the center of the flour mixture. Add the oil, eggs, vanilla and mashed bananas to the dry ingredients; stir until smooth (photos 2-4).

    STEP 3. Make the cinnamon sugar

    Whisk together the cinnamon and sugar for the cinnamon swirl.

    STEP 4. Assemble

    Pour half of the coffee cake batter into the prepared pan. Sprinkle with the cinnamon swirl (photo 5).

    banana coffee cake recipe steps photo collage 2

    Spoon remaining coffee cake batter on top of the cinnamon swirl.

    STEP 5. Make streusel topping

    In a small bowl whisk together the flour, sugar and cinnamon for the streusel topping.

    Add the cold butter to the dry streusel ingredients. Using a pastry cutter or two knives, cut the butter into the dry mixture to make small pea sized clumps.

    Sprinkle streusel over the top of the coffee cake recipe (photo 6).

    STEP 6. Bake and Cool

    Bake the cake for 40-45 minutes or until a knife inserted into the center comes out clean.

    Cool completely on a wire cooling rack. Serve warm or at room temperature.

    banana coffee cake on a vintage plate

    How to Store Coffee Cake

    Storing at room temperature

    Bake the coffee cake and allow too cool. Store at room temperature, covered with plastic wrap for 1-2 days.

    Storing in the refrigerator

    For longer storage, cover tightly with plastic wrap and store in the refrigerator for up to a week.

    NOTE: baked goods can dry out in the refrigerator. Seal the banana coffee cake well.

    How to Freeze Coffee Cake

    Bake and cool the coffee cake. Cover tightly with a layer of plastic wrap followed by foil. Freeze for 2-3 months.

    Thaw in the refrigerator before serving.

    More Banana Recipes You’ll Love

    • Chocolate Chip Banana Bread: An Easy Favorite Comfort Food recipe
    • Homemade Banana Pudding: Decadent Comfort Food that Can’t Be Beat!
    • Gluten-Free Bananas Foster Bread Pudding
    • Pumpkin Roasted-Banana Quick Bread

    banana coffee cake slice on a plate

    Did you make it? Please RATE THE RECIPE below!

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    Recipe

    Banana Coffee Cake

    Banana Coffee Cake

    Easy Banana Coffee Cake has a homey flavor with a delicious cinnamon swirl. Perfect to whip up to make breakfast or brunch special.
    5 from 83 votes
    Print Save Recipe Recipe Saved! Pin Rate
    Course: Breakfast
    Cuisine: American
    Prep Time: 20 minutes
    Cook Time: 50 minutes
    Cooling Time (estimated): 20 minutes
    Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
    Servings: 12 10-12 servings
    Calories: 366kcal
    Author: Toni Dash
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Ingredients

    Banana Cake

    • 2 cups all-purpose flour (regular or gluten-free measure-for-measure flour blend)
    • 1 ¼ cups granulated sugar
    • 2 teaspoons baking soda
    • ½ teaspoon salt
    • 1/3 cup vegetable oil
    • 2 eggs lightly beaten
    • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
    • 3 medium sized bananas mashed

    Cinnamon Swirl

    • 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
    • 2 teaspoons cinnamon

    Streusel

    • 1/2 cup all-purpose flour (regular or gluten-free blend) refer to notes on gluten-free flour suggestion
    • 1/2 cup light brown sugar
    • 1 teaspoon cinnamon
    • 6 tablespoons unsalted butter cold and sliced into tablespoons (6 slices)
    • 1/3 cup chopped walnuts or pecans OPTIONAL

    Instructions

    • Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease and flour a 9-inch round pan.

    Making the Coffee Cake

    • In a large bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, baking soda, and salt.
    • Create a well in the center of the flour mixture and add the oil, eggs, vanilla and mashed banana; stir until smooth.
    • Whisk together the cinnamon and sugar to make the swirl.
    • Pour half of the banana cake batter into the pan and sprinkle with the cinnamon swirl filling. Top filling with remaining batter.

    Making the Streusel

    • Whisk together the dry ingredients. Using a pastry cutter or two knives, cut cold butter pieces into the dry mixture until small pea sized clumps form. NOTE: if adding nuts, stir them in after the butter has been cut into the streusel ingredients.
    • Using clean hands squeeze the ingredients together to incorporate any dry ingredients on the bottom of the bowl.
    • Using a fork cut the clumps into crumbles. Spoon the crumbles evenly over the banana cake batter.
    • Bake cake for 45 to 55 minutes or until a knife is inserted into the center and comes out clean. Cool to room temperature (especially important if making the coffee cake gluten-free) before slicing. Serve warm or at room temperature.

    Video

    Notes

    Batter Thickness
    Depending on the ripeness of the bananas and the type of flour being used, the batter can be thick. If so it will be more ‘spreadable’ than pourable into the pan.
    Follow the directions and use this PRO TIP for spreading the batter: lightly spray a spatula or your fingertips with non-stick cooking spray. This will allow easily spreading the batter in the pan without it sticking.
    Banana Flavor
    The ripeness of the bananas will determine the amount of banana flavor. If bananas are not ripe the flavor will be very faint (but the coffee cake still tastes great!)
    Pan Size
    I recommend using a deeper 9-inch round cake pan or springform pan (suggested depth: 2-inches or more).
    If using a pan that is less than 2-inches in depth, use 2/3’s of the streusel. Optional:  place a baking sheet on an oven rack below the coffee cake to catch any streusel that may fall off during baking.
    Pan Color and Baking Time
    If baking in a black baking pan check the temperature earlier. Dark pans speed up the baking time.
    How to Prevent Browning of the Streusel
    Check the coffee cake at 30 minutes and 40 minutes. If the streusel is beginning to brown, a piece of foil can be placed on top (shiny side up, not facing the coffee cake) for the duration of the baking.

    Streusel Shortcut

    • Reduce the butter amount to 4 tablespoons (instead of 6 tablespoons) and melt it.
    • Add all the streusel ingredients into a mixing bowl and mix together with a fork or pastry cutter.
    • Spoon over the banana cake and bake.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 366kcal | Carbohydrates: 61g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 13g | Saturated Fat: 9g | Cholesterol: 42mg | Sodium: 294mg | Potassium: 156mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 37g | Vitamin A: 233IU | Vitamin C: 3mg | Calcium: 28mg | Iron: 2mg
    Did you make this recipe?Mention @boulderlocavore or tag #boulderlocavore!

    Banana Coffee Cake is always a treat for brunch or holiday breakfasts!

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    ABOUT THE AUTHOR

    TONI DASH
    Toni Dash head shot

    Toni Dash, is a Certified Nutrition Coach and the writer/blogger, photographer, recipe developer and creator of Boulder Locavore®. She has been developing easy to make, well-tested recipes since 2010. Her seasonal recipes bring excitement to the dining table for both gluten-free and gluten diners. Toni has been featured in numerous publications and on culinary websites for her creative, delicious recipes and travel features. For more details, check out her About page.

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    Comments

    1. peggy stivason says

      February 25, 2022 at 9:20 am

      Hello Toni , Can the brown sugar be substituted for the streusel? My husband can’t eat brown sugar . Tends to break him out .

      Reply
      • Toni Dash says

        February 25, 2022 at 6:53 pm

        Hi Peggy. Brown sugar is a streusel classic so unfortunately I’ve only made it that way. But you certainly could experiment with white sugar or another granulated sugar you like! The flavor won’t exactly be the same but I think it should work!

        Reply
        • peggy stivason says

          February 28, 2022 at 11:07 am

          5 stars
          Good Idea , Thanks Toni . Happy Cookin 🙂

    2. Christine says

      August 15, 2020 at 7:07 pm

      Is it the same Locavore businesses as here in Denver?

      Reply
      • Toni Dash says

        August 17, 2020 at 7:37 am

        Hi Christine! I’m afraid I don’t understand your question. Locavorism is an international thing and a universally used term for eating within your locality. I am located in Boulder Colorado close to Denver though our website is not tied with a brick and mortar business. Let me know if I can help further!

        Reply
    3. Carol says

      June 05, 2020 at 7:16 am

      5 stars
      I made this today and it is perfect! I love it! I reduced sugar from 1.5 cup to 3/4 cup. Just the right sweetness for me. will share my banana Coffee cake to my friends. Thank you so much for sharing your recipe!!

      Reply
    4. KC says

      June 04, 2020 at 10:03 pm

      5 stars
      Baked this for family and they absolutely LOVED it. Made it a second time for friends and I kept getting compliments on it. Super easy to make too! Definitely going in my permanent bookmark! Thank you for posting 🙂

      Reply
      • Toni Dash says

        June 04, 2020 at 10:11 pm

        KC this makes me so happy!

        Reply
    5. Oly says

      May 20, 2020 at 5:39 pm

      My husband has started buying too many bananas so I have to make this to keep from wasting them! I half the recipe since it’s just the two of us and it’s perfect. Obviously it’s good since he’s manipulating me just to get more. ?

      Reply
      • Toni Dash says

        May 20, 2020 at 5:41 pm

        Lol! Sounds like a very smart husband!

        Reply
    6. Sandy Midgley says

      May 18, 2020 at 6:59 pm

      5 stars
      Wow! So yummy. We had it for breakfast, and then warmed it up and had it with vanilla ice cream for dessert. It was a hit, and is going into my permanent recipe collection.

      Reply
    7. Suzy says

      April 20, 2020 at 10:28 am

      5 stars
      My kind of breakfast! Perfect way to use up bananas that are going bad!

      Reply
    8. wilhelmina says

      April 17, 2020 at 11:16 am

      5 stars
      This coffee cake made my husband so very happy! He says it was the perfect blend of two of his favorites, banana bread and traditional coffee cake.

      Reply
    9. Cookilicious says

      April 17, 2020 at 10:41 am

      5 stars
      wow..love the idea of mixing banana and coffee together. This bread looks absolutely delicious

      Reply
      • Toni Dash says

        April 17, 2020 at 1:00 pm

        You mean eating banana coffee cake with a cup of coffee? There actually isn’t coffee IN the cake.

        Reply
    10. Charla says

      April 17, 2020 at 10:35 am

      5 stars
      What a scrumptious looking cake. I would love a slice or two while reading a good book.

      Reply
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    About Toni Dash

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    Welcome! I’m Toni. I’m a Certified Nutrition Coach and my goal is to MAKE YOUR LIFE EASIER with delicious, well-tested recipes and travel tips! More About Me …

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