I had a bunch of overripe bananas that I didn’t want to go to waste, so I was going to make some banana bread. That’s what you do with overripe bananas, right? But I couldn’t help thinking how boring that is. I have a great banana bread recipe from my mom, but that’s the point, everyone and their mom already has a great banana bread recipe on hand. So I made it my mission to find something different to make with overripe bananas and boy did I hit gold. This banana coffee cake recipe is AWESOME! I’ll be making this again and again. If I have kids, they will have this recipe from me, just like I have my mom’s banana bread recipe. That’s how good this stuff is.
The one fault issue nit pick, I have with the recipe is that it’s actually too good. Seriously. It’s almost too rich to eat in the morning. That could just be me, though. I’m used to eating very light in the mornings, and the amount of chocolate in this recipe is just way too much for me. Maybe it would be more appropriate for dessert with some decaf coffee?
Next time I will definitely be reducing the amount of chocolate in the recipe and even the amount of sugar. The recipe posted below will reflect the new amounts. You could probably even take out the chocolate chips altogether if you wanted, but I think they really make the dish, so I wouldn’t want to take them out completely.
Banana Coffee Cake with Cinnamon-Chocolate Chip Streusel
adapted from Bon Appétit
Breakfast | Servings: 6
Prep time: 20 min | Cook time: 45 min | Total time: 1 hour 5 min
Ingredients
- 3/4 to 1 cup chocolate chips (depends on how chocolatey you want it)
- 1/2 to 3/4 cup packed brown sugar (depends on how sweet you want it)
- 1/2 cup chopped walnuts (optional, I didn’t put these in mine)
- 1 tbsp. cinnamon
- 1 1/2 cups flour
- 3/4 tsp. baking soda
- 3/4 tsp. baking powder
- 1/4 tsp. salt
- 3/4 cup sugar
- 1/2 cup (4 oz. – 1 stick) unsalted butter, room temperature
- 1 large egg
- 1 1/3 cups mashed very ripe bananas (about 3 large)*
- 3 tbsp. buttermilk or plain yogurt (I used the yogurt)
*Your bananas should be as ripe as possible. I’m not talking a few black spots, I’m talking almost completely black on the outside. The riper your bananas the better the flavor of the cake will be, this applies to making banana bread as well.
Process
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Butter and flour 8x8x2-inch metal baking pan.
- Stir chocolate chips, brown sugar, walnuts (if using), and cinnamon in small bowl until well blended; set streusal aside.
- Sift all purpose flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt into medium bowl.
- Using electric mixer, beat sugar, room temperature butter, and egg in large bowl until fluffy. Beat in mashed bananas and buttermilk. Add dry ingredients and blend well.
- Spread half of batter (about 2 cups) in prepared baking pan. Sprinkle with half of streusal. Repeat with remaining batter and streusal.
- Bake coffee cake until toothpick inserted into center comes out clean, about 45 minutes. Let cool for at least 10 minutes.
i have such a high tolerance for sugar, i’d probably go ahead and eat this for breakfast AND dessert after lunch. 🙂
great recipe.
mmm, this looks SO good! i hear ya on the too chocolatey though, i feel like that about some baked goods, too. but i’m sure it would be great with some whip cream after dinner! the pictures are beautiful! i can’t get over that streusel.
Yum! This cake looks delicious!! I just found your blog and I love it!!
Thanks! I remember making this years ago – it came in a little pullout from a Homemaker’s magazine and I lost it.
Okay, Chocolate Lovers out there; listen up! Do I have a recipe for you! This great old recipe is from the folks at Hershey’s Chocolate. Chocolate and cherries just seem to go together and this recipe is more proof of that. When you serve these tasty squares to your friends, be sure to have a copy of the recipe handy. They are sure to ask for it. Or you can be secretive, if you want, and tell them it’s one of your vintage recipes that you just don’t share. But be warned, they will be expecting you to make them anytime you get together.
I made this and posted it on my blog too – it’s a favorite!
https://mignardise.blogspot.com/2008/11/going-bananas.html
This coffee cake looks really good. I’d probably serve it more of a dessert as I’m stuck on my oatmeal for almost every morning breakfast. Thanks for the recipe, it looks awesome!
Hi! I adapted your recipe to make it more healthy but I think there’s still too much chocolate here– https://ibakewhoeats.wordpress.com/2010/10/17/healthified-banana-coffee-cake-with-cinnamon-chocolate-chip-streusel/
Thank you for your recipe! You are an awesome baker!
You could use mini-chips, that might cut the richness of the chocolate a little but still keep the flavor. I’m going to make this now and report back.
Guys, Thanks For sharing this Great Recipe. My Family Loved it. I am definitely sharing this recipe and this website with my friend. Hope they also love it. Thank you again for sharing such a great recipe.