Easy Banana Bread Crumb Cake - Best Crumb Cake Recipe! (2024)

Shelly 409 Comments

★★★★★5 from 108 reviews

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This Banana Bread Crumb Cake is a fun twist on a classic crumb cake recipe! Moist and tender banana bread layers are filled and topped with a perfectly irresistible buttery streusel crumb. The result is an easy cake recipe that you’ll love to enjoy for breakfast, brunch, or even dessert!

Easy Banana Bread Crumb Cake - Best Crumb Cake Recipe! (1)

Table of Contents

  • My Favorite Banana Crumb Cake
  • What Makes this Recipe so Good?
  • Ingredients You’ll Need
  • How to Make Banana Crumb Cake
  • Tips for Success
  • How to Store
  • Can I Freeze a Crumb Cake?
  • More Banana Desserts
  • Get the Recipe

My Favorite Banana Crumb Cake

Oh my sweetness – this could very well be my favorite recipe for crumb cake, or any breakfast cake for that matter! Possibly ever. It has everything a perfect crumb cake should have: a moist and tender cake texture, a crumbly, buttery streusel topping, and all those delicious cinnamon-sugary flavors. With one major, life-changing twist: bananas!

I am always looking for recipes using bananas, especially ones in my fruit bowl that are barely past their prime. Overripe bananas are perfect for recipes like banana bread, banana muffins, etc. And crumb cakes are just plain perfect. Which is what inspired this incredible, mouthwatering Banana Bread Crumb Cake with a delicious streusel filling. The combination is pure magic!

Easy Banana Bread Crumb Cake - Best Crumb Cake Recipe! (2)

What Makes this Recipe so Good?

A Banana Bread Crumb Cake may sound like a confusing breakfast/dessert recipe. But trust me, it makes total sense as soon as it touches your tastebuds! Here’s why I love this recipe, and why you will, too:

  • Banana Crumb Cake is a fun twist on two classic recipes. This recipe involves a soft and moist banana bread-cake, made in a pan and layered with a decadent streusel crumb filling/topping. The contrast is a match made in baking heaven!
  • It’s super easy to make. This cake requires simple pantry ingredients and only a handful of steps. It comes together in no time!
  • It pairs perfectly with coffee or a glass of milk. So you can literally have your cake for breakfast, and eat it, too. Not to mention, it also makes a fabulous dessert.
Easy Banana Bread Crumb Cake - Best Crumb Cake Recipe! (3)

Ingredients You’ll Need

To make things even better, this recipe calls for basic pantry ingredients. Here’s what you’ll need:

For the Cake

  • Bananas: This is the perfect occasion to use any ripe or just over-ripe bananas you have; the “senior citizens” of the bunch.
  • Butter: For best results, bring the butter to room temperature.
  • Granulated Sugar: When it comes to a moist and fluffy cake, white granulated sugar is always the most reliable!
  • Flour: I use all purpose flour for this recipe. If you’re making a gluten free crumb cake, you can substitute this with your preferred alternative (almond flour, oat flour, etc.)
  • Vanilla: Pure vanilla extract will give the best and most natural flavor.
  • Milk
  • Eggs
  • Baking Powder
  • Salt

For the Crumb Filling and Topping

  • Butter: Cold from the fridge and cubed.
  • Light Brown Sugar
  • Flour

You’ll also need powdered sugar and a couple teaspoons of milk if you’re planning to make a glaze.

How to Make Banana Crumb Cake

The secret to this fabulous breakfast cake is in the delicious crumb. Not just sprinkled over top, but also layered in between the banana bread. The resulting cake is moist and buttery and just plain amazing!

Make the Banana Bread Batter: Whisk together the flour with baking powder and salt. In a separate bowl, mash your bananas until you reach a smooth consistency, then mix in the butter, followed by the sugar, eggs, and vanilla. Gradually add in the milk and flour mixture until the batter is just combined.

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Make the Crumb: Combine all the crumb ingredients and cut them together with a fork (if you have a pastry cutter, all the better!).

Fill the Pan: Pour one half of the batter into a prepared baking pan, then sprinkle a layer of crumbs over top. Pour the remaining batter over the crumb layer, and then top with one last layer of crumb mixture.

Bake: Bake the crumb cake in a preheated oven until the center is set. The cake is ready when a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

Easy Banana Bread Crumb Cake - Best Crumb Cake Recipe! (5)

Glaze: After the cake has cooled for a few minutes, drizzle the top with sweet glaze if desired.

Serve this Banana Crumb Cake either warm or at room temperature, and revel in it’s deliciousness!

Tips for Success

  • Measure the Flour Correctly: When it comes to baking, the number one misstep is too much flour packed into the measuring cup. If you’re using a measuring cup and not a kitchen scale, rather spoon the flour into the cup and then level it off with a knife, to avoid adding too much flour to the batter!
  • Don’t Over Mix the Batter: Another cardinal rule is not to over mix the batter! When mixing in the flour, add it in gradually and mix until the batter is just combined, for the best possible texture when the cake is baked.
Easy Banana Bread Crumb Cake - Best Crumb Cake Recipe! (6)

How to Store

This Banana Bread Crumb Cake can be stored airtight at room temperature for up to 2 days.

Can I Freeze a Crumb Cake?

You can! Wrap the cake tightly in a double layer of plastic wrap or aluminum foil, then store frozen for up to 2 months. Thaw the crumb cake in the fridge overnight and then allow it to come to room temperature before serving.

More Banana Desserts

  • Banana Blondies
  • Pumpkin Banana Bread
  • Banana Pudding Cheesecake
  • Moist Banana Pound Cake
  • Peanut Butter Banana Fudge

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    Easy Banana Bread Crumb Cake - Best Crumb Cake Recipe! (7)

    Banana Bread Crumb Cake

    5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 4.7 from 108 reviews

    • Author: Shelly
    • Prep Time: 15 minutes
    • Cook Time: 50 minutes
    • Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
    • Yield: 12 1x
    • Category: Cake
    • Method: Baking
    • Cuisine: Breakfast

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    Description

    This Banana Bread Crumb Cake recipe is made with moist and tender banana bread layers filled and topped with a perfectly irresistible buttery streusel crumb. An easy cake recipe that you’ll love to enjoy for breakfast, brunch, or even dessert!

    Ingredients

    Scale

    Cake:

    • 2 cups all purpose flour
    • 3 teaspoons baking powder
    • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
    • 3 ripe bananas, mashed
    • 1/2 cup butter, room temperature
    • 2 cups granulated sugar
    • 2 large eggs
    • 1 teaspoons vanilla
    • 1 cup milk

    Crumb Filling/Topping:

    • 1 cup cold butter, cubed
    • 2 cups light brown sugar
    • 2 cups all purpose flour

    *optional glaze

    • 1 cup powdered sugar
    • 12 tablespoons milk

    Instructions

    1. Cake: Preheat oven to 350°F. Coat a 9×13 baking dish with baking spray, set aside
    2. In a medium bowl whisk together flour, baking powder and salt. Set aside.
    3. In a large bowl stir together the mashed bananas, butter, sugar, eggs and vanilla until mixed well.
    4. Add in the flour mixture and milk in alternating portions and stir until combined. Set batter aside while you make your crumb mixture.
    5. Crumb Filling/Topping: In a large bowl combine the cold, cubed butter, light brown sugar, and flour using a fork or pastry cutter until a coarse crumb forms.
    6. Assemble: Pour 1/2 of the batter into the prepared pan. Top with 1/3 of the crumb mixture. Cover the filling with the remaining batter and then top with remaining crumb mixture.
    7. Bake for 50-55 minutes until the center is set and a toothpick comes out clean.
    8. If desired mix powdered sugar and milk together and drizzle on top of slightly cooled cake.
    9. Can be served warm or at room temperature.

    Notes

    Can be served room temperature or warm.

    Store airtight for up to 2 days.

    Nutrition

    • Serving Size: 1 slice
    • Calories: 658
    • Sugar: 69.8 g
    • Sodium: 229.1 mg
    • Fat: 24.3 g
    • Carbohydrates: 106.3 g
    • Protein: 6.7 g
    • Cholesterol: 92.5 mg

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    FAQs

    What is the top of crumb cake made of? ›

    For the Crumb Topping

    In a large bowl, whisk together the melted butter, granulated sugar, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt. Using a spoon, stir in the cake flour one cup at a time, until the mixture forms a cohesive dough, like a very thick and clumpy cookie dough.

    What happens when you add too much banana to banana bread? ›

    Banana bread recipes typically ask you to use overripe bananas so that they're easier to mush. This means it's tempting to toss all your bananas into the mix when you're ready to bake, to avoid food waste. But if you add too much of the fruit into your batter, your bread could turn out mushy, heavy, and wet.

    Why is my banana cake not fluffy? ›

    It's important to make sure your bananas are well mashed. If they aren't broken down well enough less moisture is released from the fruit, effecting the texture of your cake. That being said you don't want to blitz it to a banana puree either! A few chunks here and there adds some variety and texture.

    Why is my banana bread not moist enough? ›

    You Measure Flour the Wrong Way

    Moisture is key when it comes to banana bread, and the ratio of flour to banana makes all the difference. If you use too much flour, you'll end up with dry bread. If you don't use enough, your bread will be too wet. The secret is actually in how you measure the flour.

    Is it better to crumble with cold or melted butter? ›

    A well-made crumb should be firm yet tender, and chewy, with big chunks—like granola. The best way to achieve this is to use cold cubed butter. Using room-temperature or melted butter will cause the topping to spread out and flatten when it bakes, rather than standing pert and perky.

    How to make a crumb layer cake? ›

    To crumb coat a cake, add a small amount of icing to the sides and top of your cake, spreading with your bench scraper or offset spatula to cover the cake evenly. You are only aiming to use a small amount of frosting here: This layer is purely intended to seal in the crumbs and create a smooth surface for frosting.

    At what point should you not use bananas for banana bread? ›

    If the bananas have any visible signs of mold, throw them out. If they smell off, that's another good indicator that they are no longer okay to use. Rotten bananas will often have a fermented or alcohol-like smell.

    How long should you leave bananas for banana bread? ›

    These bananas may be a bit too ripe for your cereal, but they're just beginning to come into their own for banana bread. Let the bananas ripen (and overripen) at room temperature. Depending on the weather, this could take a few days, or up to a week. The best bananas for banana bread aren't yellow; they're black.

    What happens if you put too many eggs in banana bread? ›

    Adding more eggs makes for a spongy, less flavorful banana bread. Doubling the number of eggs I was using resulted in a spongy cake with a moist texture.

    Can I use both butter and oil in cake? ›

    If you were to use exclusively oil, the cake would turn out much denser than you may have intended. If you're unsure, it's safest to use a 50/50 combination of butter and oil instead of replacing the butter completely.

    What are the black lines in banana bread? ›

    Short Answer: The alkaline environment of a batter with baking soda results in discoloration of the pulp fibers. Short Answer: The alkaline environment of a batter with baking soda results in discoloration of the pulp fibers.

    What happens if you don't let banana bread cool? ›

    Once a loaf of banana bread is fully baked and taken out of the oven, it's crucial to allow it to fully cool. Banana bread retains heat, especially in the center of the loaf. If the loaf is still warm once it's wrapped for storage, condensation can form, which can lead to mold.

    Why is my banana bread still gooey in the middle? ›

    Banana bread is made with a very wet batter. It's important to use a tester to make sure it's fully baked. Cutting it before it is completely cooled can lead to the gummy texture. Cooling the bread to room temperature allow us the starch that gels during baking to set again.

    What is the streusel on crumb topping made of? ›

    Streusel is a crumbly topping usually made with real butter, flour, and sugar.

    What is the topping of the cake called? ›

    Icing, or frosting, is a sweet, often creamy glaze made of sugar with a liquid, such as water or milk, that is often enriched with ingredients like butter, egg whites, cream cheese, or flavorings. It is used to coat or decorate baked goods, such as cakes.

    What is the difference between a crumb topping and streusel? ›

    Ingredients: Streusel is typically made with a 1:1:2 ratio of flour, sugar, and butter. Crumble topping, on the other hand, has a higher ratio of sugar to flour, typically 1:1 or 1:1.5. This gives crumble topping a sweeter and more crumbly texture. Texture: Streusel is denser and more chewy than crumble topping.

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