Coffee Cake Banana Bread – A Buttery, Crumb-Topped Twist on Classic Banana Bread

🎉 Introduction

Banana bread has always been a classic comfort bake. But what if we took it one step further—adding a sweet cinnamon crumble topping and a ribbon of streusel inside? The result is this unforgettable Coffee Cake Banana Bread: soft, moist, layered with buttery cinnamon streusel, and topped with a crumbly brown sugar topping.

It’s everything you love about banana bread and coffee cake, baked into one indulgent loaf. Whether you’re sipping a latte on a cozy morning, hosting brunch, or needing an afternoon pick-me-up, this treat pairs perfectly with coffee or tea.

The best part? It’s all made with pantry staples and ripe bananas—so you can whip it up without a trip to the store.

🧰 Equipment Needed

• Loaf pan (9×5 or 8.5×4.5)
• Two mixing bowls
• Whisk or fork
• Wooden spoon or rubber spatula
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Cooling rack
• Oven preheated to 350°F (175°C)

🛒 Ingredients

🍌 For the Banana Bread

• 3 ripe bananas, mashed
• 1 large egg
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1/2 tsp salt

🍯 For the Streusel Filling & Topping

• 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 1/2 tsp cinnamon
• 1/4 cup cold butter, cubed

👩‍🍳 Directions

Step 1. Preheat Oven & Prep Pan

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Grease a loaf pan or line it with parchment paper.

Step 2. Make the Cinnamon Streusel

1. In a small bowl, mix:
   • 1/2 cup brown sugar
   • 1/2 cup flour
   • 1 1/2 tsp cinnamon
2. Cut in 1/4 cup cold butter using a fork or pastry cutter until crumbly.
3. Set aside 2/3 of the mixture for the topping, and keep 1/3 for the filling.

Step 3. Make the Banana Bread Batter

1. In a large bowl, mash 3 ripe bananas.
2. Add and whisk in:
   • 1 large egg
   • 1/2 cup melted butter
   • 1 tsp vanilla
   • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
   • 1/2 cup brown sugar
3. Sprinkle in:
   • 1 1/2 cups flour
   • 1 tsp baking soda
   • 1/2 tsp salt
4. Stir just until combined. Don’t overmix.

Step 4. Assemble the Loaf

1. Pour half the banana batter into the loaf pan.
2. Sprinkle the reserved 1/3 of streusel filling evenly over the batter.
3. Add the remaining banana batter on top.
4. Finish by sprinkling the rest of the cinnamon streusel topping over the surface.

Step 5. Bake

1. Bake at 350°F for 55–65 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out mostly clean.
2. Cover loosely with foil in the last 15 minutes if the top is browning too quickly.

Step 6. Cool and Slice

1. Let the loaf cool in the pan for 15 minutes.
2. Transfer to a wire rack to cool completely before slicing.

🍽️ Servings & Timing

• Servings: 8–10 slices
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 60 minutes
• Total Time: ~1 hour 15 minutes

🧊 Storage & Reheating

Storage

• Store wrapped or in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
• Refrigerate up to 5 days.

Freezing

• Wrap tightly in plastic + foil. Freeze for up to 3 months.
• Thaw at room temperature overnight.

Reheating

• Microwave individual slices for 10–15 seconds for a warm, soft texture.
• Toast with butter for a crisp edge.

🥄 Variations

• Chocolate Chip Twist: Fold in 1/2 cup chocolate chips for added richness.
• Nutty Crunch: Add chopped walnuts or pecans to the streusel.
• Cream Cheese Swirl: Mix 4 oz cream cheese with 2 tbsp sugar and swirl into the batter.
• Gluten-Free Version: Use a 1:1 gluten-free baking flour.
• Spiced Loaf: Add 1/2 tsp nutmeg and a pinch of cloves for deeper spice flavor.

❓ 10 FAQs

1. Can I make this into muffins?
Yes! Bake in muffin tins for 18–22 minutes at 350°F.

2. Can I use frozen bananas?
Yes, thaw first and drain excess liquid before mashing.

3. What’s the best way to ripen bananas quickly?
Bake unpeeled bananas at 300°F for 15–20 minutes until blackened and soft.

4. Can I reduce the sugar?
Yes. Try using 1/3 cup each of granulated and brown sugar for a less sweet loaf.

5. Can I make this dairy-free?
Yes—use plant-based butter and replace the egg with a flax egg if needed.

6. Why did my bread sink in the middle?
Overmixing or underbaking can cause sinking. Make sure it’s fully baked and don’t overwork the batter.

7. Can I add a glaze on top?
Absolutely. A simple vanilla glaze (powdered sugar + milk + vanilla) is perfect.

8. Can I double this recipe?
Yes! Use two loaf pans or a 9×13″ baking dish. Adjust baking time as needed.

9. What’s the texture like?
It’s super moist from bananas and rich butter, with a crisp streusel crunch.

10. Can I make this ahead?
Yes. It tastes even better the next day once the flavors settle.

🏁 Conclusion

Coffee Cake Banana Bread is the perfect way to elevate your classic banana loaf. The warm cinnamon, buttery crumb topping, and soft banana center make this a guaranteed hit. It’s a versatile recipe you’ll want to bake again and again—for brunch tables, holiday mornings, or whenever you’re craving something sweet with your coffee.

Adam

Coffee Cake Banana Bread – A Buttery, Crumb-Topped Twist on Classic Banana Bread

Banana bread has always been a classic comfort bake. But what if we took it one step further—adding a sweet cinnamon crumble topping and a ribbon of streusel inside? The result is this unforgettable Coffee Cake Banana Bread: soft, moist, layered with buttery cinnamon streusel, and topped with a crumbly brown sugar topping. It’s everything you love about banana bread and coffee cake, baked into one indulgent loaf. Whether you’re sipping a latte on a cozy morning, hosting brunch, or needing an afternoon pick-me-up, this treat pairs perfectly with coffee or tea. The best part? It’s all made with pantry staples and ripe bananas—so you can whip it up without a trip to the store.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 1 hour hr

Total Time 1 hour hr 15 minutes mins

Servings: 10 slices

Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients

  

🍌 For the Banana Bread

• 3 ripe bananas mashed
• 1 large egg
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter melted
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup brown sugar packed
• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1/2 tsp salt

🍯 For the Streusel Filling & Topping

• 1/2 cup brown sugar packed
• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 1/2 tsp cinnamon
• 1/4 cup cold butter cubed

Equipment

• Loaf pan (9×5 or 8.5×4.5)
• Two mixing bowls
• Whisk or fork
• Wooden spoon or rubber spatula
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Cooling rack
• Oven preheated to 350°F (175°C)

Method

 

Step 1. Preheat Oven & Prep Pan

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Grease a loaf pan or line it with parchment paper.

Step 2. Make the Cinnamon Streusel

1. In a small bowl, mix:
2. 1/2 cup brown sugar
3. 1/2 cup flour
4. 1 1/2 tsp cinnamon
5. Cut in 1/4 cup cold butter using a fork or pastry cutter until crumbly.
6. Set aside 2/3 of the mixture for the topping, and keep 1/3 for the filling.

Step 3. Make the Banana Bread Batter

1. In a large bowl, mash 3 ripe bananas.
2. Add and whisk in:
3. 1 large egg
4. 1/2 cup melted butter
5. 1 tsp vanilla
6. 1/2 cup granulated sugar
7. 1/2 cup brown sugar
8. Sprinkle in:
9. 1 1/2 cups flour
10. 1 tsp baking soda
11. 1/2 tsp salt
12. Stir just until combined. Don’t overmix.

Step 4. Assemble the Loaf

1. Pour half the banana batter into the loaf pan.
2. Sprinkle the reserved 1/3 of streusel filling evenly over the batter.
3. Add the remaining banana batter on top.
4. Finish by sprinkling the rest of the cinnamon streusel topping over the surface.

Step 5. Bake

1. Bake at 350°F for 55–65 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out mostly clean.
2. Cover loosely with foil in the last 15 minutes if the top is browning too quickly.

Step 6. Cool and Slice

1. Let the loaf cool in the pan for 15 minutes.
2. Transfer to a wire rack to cool completely before slicing.

Notes

🧊 Storage & Reheating
Storage
Store wrapped or in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.

Refrigerate up to 5 days.

Freezing
Wrap tightly in plastic + foil. Freeze for up to 3 months.

Thaw at room temperature overnight.

Reheating
Microwave individual slices for 10–15 seconds for a warm, soft texture.

Toast with butter for a crisp edge.

🥄 Variations
Chocolate Chip Twist: Fold in 1/2 cup chocolate chips for added richness.

Nutty Crunch: Add chopped walnuts or pecans to the streusel.

Cream Cheese Swirl: Mix 4 oz cream cheese with 2 tbsp sugar and swirl into the batter.

Gluten-Free Version: Use a 1:1 gluten-free baking flour.

Spiced Loaf: Add 1/2 tsp nutmeg and a pinch of cloves for deeper spice flavor.

❓ 10 FAQs
1. Can I make this into muffins?
Yes! Bake in muffin tins for 18–22 minutes at 350°F.

2. Can I use frozen bananas?
Yes, thaw first and drain excess liquid before mashing.

3. What’s the best way to ripen bananas quickly?
Bake unpeeled bananas at 300°F for 15–20 minutes until blackened and soft.

4. Can I reduce the sugar?
Yes. Try using 1/3 cup each of granulated and brown sugar for a less sweet loaf.

5. Can I make this dairy-free?
Yes—use plant-based butter and replace the egg with a flax egg if needed.

6. Why did my bread sink in the middle?
Overmixing or underbaking can cause sinking. Make sure it’s fully baked and don’t overwork the batter.

7. Can I add a glaze on top?
Absolutely. A simple vanilla glaze (powdered sugar + milk + vanilla) is perfect.

8. Can I double this recipe?
Yes! Use two loaf pans or a 9×13″ baking dish. Adjust baking time as needed.

9. What’s the texture like?
It’s super moist from bananas and rich butter, with a crisp streusel crunch.

10. Can I make this ahead?
Yes. It tastes even better the next day once the flavors settle.

🏁 Conclusion
Coffee Cake Banana Bread is the perfect way to elevate your classic banana loaf. The warm cinnamon, buttery crumb topping, and soft banana center make this a guaranteed hit. It’s a versatile recipe you’ll want to bake again and again—for brunch tables, holiday mornings, or whenever you’re craving something sweet with your coffee.