Banana Walnut Coffee Cake with Cinnamon Streusel

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Moist banana coffee cake loaded with crunchy walnuts and topped with a cinnamon-scented streusel, perfect for breakfast or dessert. This american-inspired desserts ready in about 65 minutes layers medium mashed ripe bananas, all-purpose flour, granulated sugar into a dessert worth slowing down for — great for weekend baking, holiday tables, or any time you want a sweet payoff at the end of a meal. Each serving lands at about 320 calories and feeds 8, so it slots into a weekend bake or a special-occasion dessert tray. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 15 min Cook: 50 min Serves 8 American cuisine 320 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat oven to 350°F and grease a 9-inch square baking pan with butter.
  2. Step 2: In a medium bowl, whisk together 2 cups all-purpose flour, 1 tsp baking powder, 1/2 tsp baking soda, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1 tbsp ground cinnamon until combined.
  3. Step 3: In a large bowl, cream 1/2 cup softened unsalted butter with 3/4 cup granulated sugar and 1/4 cup packed brown sugar using an electric mixer until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes.
  4. Step 4: Beat in 2 large eggs one at a time, then add 1 tsp vanilla extract and 1/2 cup sour cream, mixing until smooth.
  5. Step 5: Stir in 3 medium mashed ripe bananas until evenly incorporated.
  6. Step 6: Gradually add the dry flour mixture to the wet ingredients, folding in gently with a spatula until just combined.
  7. Step 7: Fold in 1 cup chopped walnuts evenly throughout the batter.
  8. Step 8: Pour batter into the prepared pan and smooth the top with a spatula.
  9. Step 9: For the streusel topping, mix 1/4 cup brown sugar, 1/4 cup chopped walnuts, 1/4 cup all-purpose flour, and 2 tbsp cold unsalted butter cut into small pieces until crumbly; sprinkle evenly over batter.
  10. Step 10: Bake for 45-50 minutes until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean and the top is golden brown.
  11. Step 11: Let cool in the pan for 15 minutes before slicing and serving.

Equipment for this recipe

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Banana Walnut Coffee Cake with Cinnamon Streusel take to make?

Total time is about 65 minutes (15 min prep + 50 min cook). Most home bakers find this fits a weekend afternoon; chill or store as the recipe directs before serving.

How do I store leftover Banana Walnut Coffee Cake with Cinnamon Streusel?

Cool fully before storing. Most baked desserts keep at room temperature in an airtight container for 2–3 days, or in the fridge for up to 5 days. Cream- or custard-based desserts must go in the fridge within 2 hours; reheat gently or serve cold per the recipe.

Can I substitute ingredients in Banana Walnut Coffee Cake with Cinnamon Streusel?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Banana Walnut Coffee Cake with Cinnamon Streusel for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 8 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 8). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

What goes well with Banana Walnut Coffee Cake with Cinnamon Streusel?

American desserts like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.

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