Banana Coffee Cake
This Banana Coffee Cake transforms classic banana bread into a showstopping Summer Recipe with its layered decadence. The moist banana cake, studded with optional chocolate chips and walnuts, is swirled with a creamy cream cheese filling that’s almost cheesecake-like. Topped with a buttery cinnamon walnut streusel and a drizzle of vanilla glaze, this Crumb Coffee Cakes creation offers a perfect balance of sweet, creamy, and crunchy. Whether served at a summer brunch or as a dessert, this Coffee Cake Recipe is sure to impress banana lovers and skeptics alike.
Ingredients
For the Cinnamon Walnut Streusel:
- 1/2 cup walnuts
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup brown sugar packed
- 1/2 tbsp cinnamon
- 4 tbsp cold unsalted butter cubed
For the Banana Cake:
- 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 1/4 tsp baking powder
- 1 1/4 tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter softened
- 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs room temperature
- 1 cup mashed ripe bananas about 2 large bananas
- 1 tbsp vanilla extract
- 1 1/4 cups full-fat sour cream room temperature
- 1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips optional
- 1/2 cup walnuts chopped (optional)
For the Cream Cheese Filling:
- 8 oz full-fat cream cheese softened
- 1/4 cup reserved banana cake batter
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
For the Vanilla Glaze:
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 tbsp milk
- Mini chocolate chips optional, for garnish
Instructions
Prepare the Pan:
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Spray a 9.5/10-inch (16-cup capacity) angel food cake pan with nonstick cooking spray with flour, or grease and flour thoroughly.
Make the Streusel:
- In a food processor, pulse 1/2 cup walnuts 3 times. Add 1/2 cup flour, 1/2 cup brown sugar, and 1/2 tbsp cinnamon; pulse to combine.
- Add 4 tbsp cold butter cubes and pulse until the mixture resembles small pebbles. Refrigerate until ready to use.
Mix Dry Ingredients:
- In a medium bowl, whisk together 2 1/4 cups flour, 1 1/4 tsp baking powder, 1 1/4 tsp baking soda, 1 tsp salt, and 1 tsp cinnamon. Set aside.
Cream Wet Ingredients:
- In a large bowl, beat 1/2 cup softened butter and 1 1/2 cups sugar on medium-high speed for 3 minutes until light and fluffy.
- AddAdd 2 eggs one at a time, beating until just incorporated. Mix in 1 cup mashed bananas and 1 tbsp vanilla extract until combined.
Combine Batter:
- Gradually add flour mixture to the banana mixture in thirds, alternating with 1 1/4 cups sour cream (start and end with flour). Mix until just combined.
- Reserve 1/4 cup batter for the cream cheese filling and 1 cup batter for topping. Stir in 1/2 cup chocolate chips and 1/2 cup walnuts (if using) to the remaining batter.
Assemble the Cake:
- Spoon the main batter into the prepared pan, spreading evenly.
- For the cream cheese filling, beat 8 oz cream cheese, 1/4 cup reserved batter, 1/4 cup sugar, and 1 tsp vanilla until smooth. Spread over the batter, avoiding the pan’s edges.
- Spread the reserved 1 cup batter thinly over the cream cheese layer.
- Sprinkle chilled streusel evenly over the top.
Bake:
- Bake for 55-65 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center (avoiding cream cheese) comes out clean. Check at 60 minutes and bake longer if needed.
- Cool in the pan on a wire rack for 1 hour. Tap the pan to loosen, then invert onto a baking sheet and back onto a cooling rack to cool completely.
Make the Glaze and Serve:
- Whisk together 1 cup powdered sugar, 1 tsp vanilla, and 2 tbsp milk until smooth. Drizzle over the cooled cake.
- Garnish with mini chocolate chips if desired. Slice and serve this Banana Coffee Cake for a delightful Summer Recipe.
Notes
- Use Ripe Bananas: Overripe bananas add sweetness; bake unripe ones to ripen quickly for this Banana Coffee Cake.
- Room Temperature Ingredients: Ensure eggs, butter, and sour cream are at room temperature for a fluffy Coffee Cake Recipe.
- Don’t Overmix: Mix batter just until combined to avoid a dense Crumb Coffee Cakes texture.
- Chill Streusel: Refrigerate streusel for a crisp topping in this Coffee Cake Recipes Easy dish.
- Check Doneness: Bake until a toothpick is clean, as ovens vary; avoid cutting while warm to let the Summer Recipe set.