Coffee Cake Banana Bread combines the comforting moistness of classic banana bread with a generous cinnamon crumb topping that delivers irresistible crunch. This easy recipe uses simple pantry staples and overripe bananas for maximum flavor and tenderness, perfect for breakfast, brunch, or dessert.
3–4 medium overripe bananas (about 1 1/2 cups mashed) 2 Tbsp brown sugar 1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract 3/4 tsp ground cinnamon 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened 1 cup granulated sugar 2 large eggs 2 cups all-purpose flour 1 tsp baking soda 1/4 tsp salt 2 Tbsp sour cream or Greek yogurt Crumb Topping: 2 tsp ground cinnamon 2 cups all-purpose flour 2 cups brown sugar, packed 12 Tbsp (1 1/2 sticks) cold unsalted butter, cubed Optional Add-Ins: 1/2 cup chopped pecans or walnuts for the streusel; chocolate chips for the batter.
1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease two 8×4-inch loaf pans or line with parchment. In a small bowl, mash bananas with brown sugar, vanilla, and 3/4 tsp cinnamon until mostly smooth (leave some chunks for texture). Set aside. In a large bowl, beat softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes. Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each. In a separate bowl, whisk flour, baking soda, and salt. Gradually add dry ingredients to wet, mixing just until combined. Fold in sour cream, then banana mixture—avoid overmixing for tenderness. For the crumb topping: In a medium bowl, combine cinnamon, flour, and brown sugar. Cut in cold butter using a pastry blender or fork until crumbly (pea-sized pieces). Divide batter between pans, then generously pile topping over each (use all of it!). Bake 35-40 minutes, until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with moist crumbs (not wet batter). Cool in pans 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack. Slice once fully cooled.
Mash bananas with a fork for visible flecks or puree for smoothness—both work great. For ultra-moist results, use very ripe (spotted) bananas and measure flour by spooning into the cup (don’t pack). Don’t skip sour cream; it tenderizes the crumb. Four Easy Variations: • Cream Cheese Swirl: Mix 8 oz softened cream cheese, 1/4 cup sugar, 1 egg. Dollop over batter before topping; bake as directed. • Pecan Streusel: Add 3/4 cup toasted pecans to the topping mix. • Glazed Finish: Drizzle with maple or peanut butter icing after cooling. • Muffin Style: Bake in lined muffin tins 20-25 minutes for grab-and-go treats. Troubleshooting: • Too dry? Add an extra banana next time. • Topping sinking? Chill streusel 10 minutes before baking. • High altitude? Increase flour by 2 Tbsp and bake at 325°F. Store at room temp up to 2 days, fridge 5 days, or freeze slices up to 3 months (thaw overnight). Warm slices in a toaster oven for fresh-baked texture.