Banana Bread Coffee Cake: The Ultimate Bundt Pan Pecan Crunch Delight
Welcome to a truly special treat that takes your beloved banana bread and elevates it to coffee cake perfection! This isn’t just any banana bread; it’s a magnificent Banana Bread Coffee Cake, meticulously baked in a bundt pan and finished with an irresistible, sweet and spicy pecan crunch topping. It’s the ideal indulgence for a leisurely brunch, a delightful companion to your morning coffee, or anytime you desire a little something extra special to brighten your day.
A Delicious Solution for Your Ripe Bananas
Like many home bakers, I often find myself with a growing stash of overly ripe bananas in the freezer. It’s a happy problem, really, as these brown-speckled beauties are the secret to the best banana baked goods! Just last week, my freezer was practically overflowing with them. While my classic Banana Bread recipe is truly a tried-and-true winner – consistently yielding perfect results – I felt inspired to try something new. The idea of transforming it into a coffee cake with a delightful streusel topping instantly sparked my culinary creativity.
Using ripe bananas is crucial for this recipe. The darker their peels, the sweeter and more flavorful they become, adding natural moisture and a rich aroma to your cake. If you’re wondering how best to handle and store your ripe bananas, here’s a helpful guide:
How To: Freeze and Use Ripe Bananas
Understanding the Texture: Bread or Cake?
When you hear “coffee cake,” you might automatically picture something light and airy. However, this particular recipe truly leans into the comforting, dense, and moist texture of a classic banana bread, rather than a super light and fluffy cake. If you’re seeking that delicate, cloud-like crumb, this might not be your first choice. BUT – if you, like me, are a dedicated fan of substantial, flavorful banana bread and appreciate a hearty slice with your coffee, then you absolutely must give this recipe a try! It perfectly balances the best qualities of both a coffee cake and banana bread, creating a unique and satisfying experience.
For those times when a true, frosted banana cake is what you’re craving, I highly recommend my Banana Bread Cake with Brown Butter Cream Cheese Frosting. It’s an absolute dream! The brown butter cream cheese frosting alone is worth every bit of effort – truly superb and a holy yum moment!
The Irresistible Pecan Crunch Topping
When I typically think of nuts in banana bread, my mind usually goes straight to walnuts. They pair wonderfully with bananas. However, for this Banana Bread Coffee Cake, I decided to switch things up and use pecans for the crumble topping – and scattered a generous amount inside the batter as well. This was an inspired choice! The pecans add a distinct, buttery flavor and a satisfying texture that perfectly complements the moist banana cake. Their crispness creates that delightful “crust” on the outside, a perfect amount of sweet and spicy crunch from the cinnamon-brown sugar mixture. The contrast between the crunchy topping and the dense, moist interior is truly what makes this coffee cake shine.
I sincerely hope the next time you find yourself with a few ripe bananas, you’ll seize the opportunity to give this incredible Banana Bread Coffee Cake a try. It’s a recipe that promises to impress and satisfy!
Discover More Banana Recipes!
I absolutely love baking with bananas, and my website is a treasure trove of banana-centric recipes. Did you know that you can easily search for recipes on my site by simply typing in an ingredient? That’s right! You don’t need the precise recipe name; just type “banana” or any other ingredient into the search bar, and a world of delicious possibilities will appear. It’s a convenient way to make the most of your pantry staples.
—>An Affair from the Heart’s Banana Recipes <—
If you’re looking for other exciting ways to use your ripe bananas beyond bread and cake, consider these fluffy Banana Bread Pancakes. They bring all the comforting flavors of banana bread to your breakfast table in pancake form!
Explore More Coffee Cake Delights
Beyond our featured Banana Bread Coffee Cake, there are so many delightful variations of coffee cake to explore. Each offers a unique flavor profile and a perfect reason to brew a fresh cup and settle in for a treat. Before we dive into today’s main recipe, here are a couple of other fantastic coffee cake recipes you might love:
I also have wonderful friends who are equally passionate about baking, and they’ve kindly shared some of their favorite coffee cake recipes with us today. Their creations offer even more variety and inspiration for your next baking adventure:
Ground Cherry Coffee Cake from PlatterTalk, Peanut Butter Coffee Cake from Hostess at Heart, and this delightful Blackberry Coffee Cake with Streusel Filling from Lisa’s Dinnertime Dish. Please do pay them a visit and explore their delicious recipes – you’re sure to find something new to love!
Ready to bake this extraordinary Banana Bread Coffee Cake? Let’s get to the recipe!
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Print Recipe
Banana Bread Coffee Cake
Ingredients
- 1 8 ounce package cream cheese, softened
- 1 stick unsalted butter (1/2 cup), softened
- 3 ripe bananas , mashed (about 1.5 cups)
- 1 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 2 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- For the Pecan Crunch Topping:
- 2 heaping Tablespoons light brown sugar
- 1 heaping teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 heaping cup chopped pecans
Instructions
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Thoroughly spray a 10-cup bundt pan with non-stick cooking spray, ensuring all crevices are coated. Alternatively, grease and flour the pan. Set aside. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
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Prepare the delicious pecan crunch topping: In a small bowl, mix together the brown sugar, cinnamon, and chopped pecans until well combined. Set this mixture aside.
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In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment (or using a hand mixer), cream the softened cream cheese until it’s light and smooth. Add the softened butter and continue to beat until the mixture is creamy and well incorporated. Next, add the mashed ripe bananas, granulated sugar, and vanilla extract. Beat until the mixture is smooth and evenly combined. Finally, beat in the eggs, one at a time, mixing well after each addition.
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In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, and ground cinnamon. Gradually add these dry ingredients to the wet mixture in the mixer, beating on low speed until just incorporated and no streaks of flour remain. Be careful not to overmix.
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Gently fold in about half of the prepared pecan crunch topping into the banana bread batter. Pour the remaining half of the topping mixture into the bottom of the prepared bundt pan, ensuring it’s evenly distributed.
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Carefully spoon or pour the banana bread batter over the topping in the bundt pan. Use a spatula to gently smooth out the top of the batter, ensuring it’s evenly spread.
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Bake for 60-70 minutes, or until a wooden toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean. If the topping starts to brown too quickly, you can loosely tent the pan with aluminum foil.
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Once baked, let the coffee cake cool in the bundt pan on a wire rack for about 10-15 minutes. Then, carefully invert the cake onto a serving plate or wire rack to cool completely. Serve warm or at room temperature. Enjoy every delicious slice!
Notes
Nutrition