Banana Crumb Cake
If you've got overripe bananas on the counter, this Banana Crumb Cake is a great way to turn them into something everyone will want a second piece of. Fans of coffee cake, banana bread, and crumb-topped desserts are going to be all over this one.
Banana Crumb Cake
Banana Crumb Cake brings together the best parts of banana bread and classic crumb cake in one easy recipe. The bananas keep the cake tender and flavorful, and the brown sugar crumb adds a rich finish with a little cinnamon warmth. It's a natural fit for breakfast gatherings, weekend baking, potlucks, or those times when you want something homemade that feels comforting and familiar.
Why You'll Love This Dish
- Uses Overripe Bananas Well - This is a smart way to turn soft bananas into a baked treat that tastes far more exciting than letting them go to waste.
- Great For A Crowd - A 9x13 cake gives you plenty of slices, so it works well for brunch tables, family gatherings, and bake sales.
- Soft Cake With Plenty Of Crumb - The layered topping gives the cake a rich texture that makes each bite more interesting.
- Simple Pantry Ingredients - Most of what you need is already common in home kitchens, which makes this recipe easy to pull together.
- Works For Breakfast Or Dessert - It feels right with coffee in the morning, yet it's sweet enough to plate up after dinner.
- Easy To Make Ahead - Bake it earlier in the day and warm slices before serving for a fresh-from-the-oven feel.
Recipe Shopping List
Wondering if you have to hit the store? Here's the list of items you'll need to make this recipe. For specific amounts, please refer to the printable recipe card at the bottom of the post.
- Cold Butter - Forms the base of the crumb topping and brings rich flavor to the cake batter. Cold butter helps create that chunky crumb texture. Salted butter works in the cake, though unsalted can be used if that's what you keep on hand.
- Light Brown Sugar - Gives the crumb its deep sweetness and soft caramel note. It pairs especially well with banana and cinnamon.
- All-Purpose Flour - Builds the structure for both the crumb and the cake. It's reliable, easy to find, and ideal for tender everyday baking.
- Cinnamon - Adds warm spice to the crumb topping without taking over the banana flavor. Nutmeg can be used for a different warm note.
- Oats - Mixed into the top crumb layer for texture and a hearty finish. Old-fashioned oats work best here.
- Baking Powder - Helps the cake rise and keeps the crumb from feeling too dense. Fresh baking powder matters for a good lift.
- Salt - Balances the sweetness and rounds out the banana flavor. A small amount makes a big difference in baked goods.
- Overripe Bananas - The star ingredient. Soft, spotty bananas bring natural sweetness, moisture, and full banana flavor.
- Sugar - Sweetens the cake batter and helps create a soft, tender crumb.
- Eggs - Give the batter structure and richness. Room temperature eggs blend more smoothly into the mix.
- Vanilla - Brings warmth and rounds out the sweet flavors in the cake.
- Milk - Loosens the batter and helps keep the cake soft. Whole milk is a good fit, though lower-fat milk can work in a pinch.
- Heavy Cream - Adds richness to the batter and forms the base of the glaze. Half-and-half can stand in for the glaze if needed.
- Powdered Sugar - Creates a smooth, simple glaze that finishes the cake with just the right touch of sweetness.
How To Make This Recipe
This is just the overview so you can see what you're actually getting into here. When you are cooking, you'll want to use the full recipe at the bottom of the page.
- Prep The Pan And Oven - Heat the oven to 350°F and coat a 9x13-inch pan with baking spray.
- Make The Crumb Mixture - Mix the cold butter, brown sugar, flour, and cinnamon until crumbly. Set it aside before stirring oats into the portion reserved for the top.
- Mix The Dry And Wet Ingredients - Whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt in one bowl. In the mixer, blend the bananas until smooth, then mix in the butter, sugar, eggs, and vanilla.
- Finish The Batter And Layer The Cake - Add the dry ingredients, milk, and heavy cream to the banana mixture. Spread half the batter in the pan, cover with half the crumb, then spread the rest of the batter on top and finish with the oat crumb mixture.
- Bake And Glaze - Bake for 50 to 60 minutes, until a tester comes out with a few soft crumbs. Let the cake cool for 15 minutes, then drizzle with the glaze and serve warm.
Recipe FAQ
Cover the pan tightly or transfer slices to an airtight container. It will keep at room temperature for up to 2 days. For longer storage, refrigerate it for up to 5 days. The crumb topping stays best when the cake is kept well covered.
Warm individual slices in the microwave for about 10 to 20 seconds. You can reheat larger portions in a low oven until warmed through. Serving it warm brings back the soft cake texture and makes the glaze feel fresh again.
Yes. You can bake the cake earlier in the day or the night before. Hold the glaze until closer to serving if you want the cleanest finish. A quick warm-up before serving helps bring the texture back to its best.
You can add chopped nuts to the topping for extra crunch or bump up the cinnamon for a spicier crumb. A little nutmeg would work nicely too. If you want a lighter finish, leave off the glaze and dust the top with powdered sugar right before serving.
More Banana Recipes
Pin For Later
Banana Crumb Cake
This cake is one of the best cakes I've ever had or eaten, and that includes chocolate and marble cake. The actual desert cakes. This is more like a breakfast cake than one you would frost, but still full of delicious sweet flavors and ALL of the banana.
Ingredients
Crumb:
- 1 ½ cups cold butter, cubed
- 2 cups light brown sugar
- 1 ½ cups flour
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 cup oats
Cake:
- 2 cups flour, all purpose
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 3 overripe bananas
- ½ cup butter, salted, softened
- 2 cups sugar
- 2 eggs
- 2 teaspoon vanilla
- ½ cup milk
- ½ cup heavy cream
Glaze:
- 1 cup powdered sugar, sifted
- 2 tablespoons cream
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F and spray a 9x13 inch pan with baking spray.
- Add all crumb ingredients except the oats to a mixer and mix until crumbly. Set aside.
- In separate bowl combine flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
- Place bananas in mixer. Mix until pulverized and liquified. Add butter and sugar. Mix until combined. Next add eggs and vanilla. Mix until combined.
- Add flour, milk, and cream. Mix until combined.
- Pour half of batter into baking pan. Top with half of crumb. Spread remaining half of batter on top. Add 1 cup of oats to remaining crumb. Spread on top of cake.
- Bake for 50-60 minutes, or until a tester comes out with moist crumbs.
- Let cool for 15 minutes and then drizzle with glaze.
- Serve WARM!
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
12Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 750Total Fat: 29gSaturated Fat: 18gTrans Fat: 1gUnsaturated Fat: 9gCholesterol: 107mgSodium: 432mgCarbohydrates: 117gFiber: 3gSugar: 76gProtein: 8g
Nutrition data provided here is only an estimate. If you are tracking these things for medical purposes please consult an outside, trusted source. Thanks!
Love this! Thanks for the link back 🙂 Your cake looks fantastic!
Thanks Shelly!
I love banana treats! this could be the end of me!!!!
Right? Let me know when you try it!
My friend made this recipe and I had to have it. Absolutely amazing. I'll be making it again and again.
Isn't it amazing! Love it!
This looks so good! Must try 🙂
http://www.dailyinakitchen.com
Thanks so much! Let me know how you like it when you do!
I just love your cooking
Thanks, Grace! I appreciate your support!
Made this again tonight for my dinner guest.... and they loved it. No matter what this cake is always so moist. I never put the glaze on, because I find glazes too sweet and it is still the perfect banana crumb cake. I have even made it once where I substituted crushed pecans for the oats in the crumb topping.... yum!
Hey Renee,
That's awesome! Thanks so much for taking the time to stop by and let us know. I'm so glad that you and your guest enjoyed it! <3