This Coffee Cake Banana Bread is a tasty mix of soft banana bread and crumbly coffee cake. It’s perfect for breakfast or a snack with your favorite drink!
Trust me, the sweet cinnamon topping makes it extra special. I can never resist a slice (or two) with my morning coffee! ☕🍌
Key Ingredients & Substitutions
Ripe Bananas: You need two ripe bananas for this recipe. The riper they are, the sweeter and more flavorful your bread will be. If you don’t have ripe bananas, you can place them in a brown bag for a day or two to speed up the ripening process.
Unsalted Butter: This is essential for a rich taste. You can use coconut oil or a dairy-free butter substitute if you’re looking for a healthier or vegan option.
Granulated Sugar: Regular sugar works best here, but you can also use coconut sugar as a healthier alternative. It will add a slight caramel flavor.
Chopped Walnuts: Walnuts add a nice crunch and flavor. If you have nut allergies, try using sunflower seeds or omit them completely for a nut-free version.
Cinnamon: This adds warmth and depth to your banana bread. If you’re not a fan of cinnamon, you could try nutmeg or skip it altogether for a more straightforward banana taste.
How Do You Cream Butter and Sugar Properly?
Creaming butter and sugar is crucial for light and fluffy banana bread. Start by ensuring your butter is softened, not melted. This will help incorporate air into the mixture, which creates a nice rise during baking.
- Beat the softened butter and sugar together in a bowl using an electric mixer on medium speed for 2-3 minutes.
- Look for a light and fluffy texture – the mixture should turn pale in color.
- Stop and scrape down the sides of the bowl to ensure everything is well combined.
Taking this step seriously leads to a better texture in your coffee cake banana bread!
How to Make Coffee Cake Banana Bread?
Ingredients You’ll Need:
For the Banana Bread:
- 2 ripe bananas, mashed
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/2 cup chopped walnuts (plus extra for topping)
For the Topping:
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 1/4 cup oats
- Extra chopped walnuts for topping
- Sliced bananas for garnish (optional)
How Much Time Will You Need?
This delicious coffee cake banana bread takes about 15 minutes to prepare and 30-35 minutes to bake. You’ll want to let it cool for about 10 minutes before serving, so plan for a total of around 1 hour from start to finish. Perfect for a cozy afternoon treat!
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Preheat the Oven:
First, set your oven to preheat at 350°F (175°C). While it’s heating up, grease an 8×8 inch baking pan so your banana bread comes out easily once it’s baked.
2. Cream the Butter and Sugar:
In a large mixing bowl, take the softened butter and granulated sugar. Use a mixer or a spatula to cream them together until the mixture is light and fluffy. This step is important for getting a nice texture in your banana bread!
3. Add Bananas, Eggs, and Vanilla:
Now, add in the mashed bananas, eggs, and vanilla extract to your butter mixture. Mix it all together until everything is well combined. You should have a nice, smooth mix.
4. Combine Dry Ingredients:
In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon. Make sure they are mixed well; this helps your bread rise perfectly.
5. Mix Dry Ingredients with Wet Ingredients:
Gradually add the dry ingredients to your banana mixture. Stir it gently until just combined. Be careful not to overmix, or your bread might turn out dense!
6. Fold in Walnuts:
Now it’s time to fold in the chopped walnuts. Use a spatula to gently mix them into the batter for a delightful crunch.
7. Pour into the Baking Pan:
Pour your banana bread batter into the prepared baking pan. Spread it out evenly so it bakes nicely.
8. Prepare the Topping:
In a small bowl, mix the brown sugar, oats, and extra walnuts together. Sprinkle this delicious topping evenly over the batter in the baking pan.
9. Bake:
Place the baking pan in your preheated oven and bake for 30-35 minutes. To check if it’s done, insert a toothpick into the center; if it comes out clean, your banana bread is ready!
10. Cool and Garnish:
Once baked, let the coffee cake banana bread cool in the pan for about 10 minutes. If you like, add some sliced bananas on top for an extra touch before serving.
11. Serve and Enjoy:
Finally, slice your coffee cake banana bread and serve it warm or at room temperature. Each bite is sure to be a hit—enjoy!
Can I Substitute the Bananas for Something Else?
While bananas add unique flavor and moisture to this recipe, you can use applesauce as a substitute if you’re looking for a variation. Use 1/2 cup of applesauce to replace the bananas, keeping in mind that the flavor will change a bit. You might also want to add a hint of cinnamon to enhance the taste!
How Can I Store Leftovers?
Store any leftover coffee cake banana bread in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, or in the fridge for up to a week. To keep it fresh longer, you can also freeze individual slices wrapped in plastic wrap and then in aluminum foil; they’ll last up to 3 months! Just thaw at room temperature when you’re ready to enjoy a slice.
Can I Add Other Ingredients to This Recipe?
Absolutely! Feel free to mix in or substitute with other ingredients such as chocolate chips, dried fruit, or even different nuts like pecans. Just be careful not to overfill the batter with extras, as it may affect the cooking time.
What Can I Use Instead of Walnuts?
If you aren’t a fan of walnuts or have a nut allergy, you can easily omit them or replace them with sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, or even coconut flakes. Just make sure to adjust for the texture if you’re substituting with a different ingredient!
