Banana Chocolate Chip Crumb Cake

Banana chocolate chip crumb cake is the perfect balance of sweet ripe bananas with the indulgence of rich chocolate chips! Topped with a buttery crumbly streusel, this moist coffee cake is a family favorite for breakfast or dessert. 

 

Quick and easy to make this banana chocolate chip crumb cake might just be the best way to use ripe bananas! It’s the perfect balance of textures and tastes with sweet ripe bananas added to a coffee cake base and then topped with the best chocolate chip streusel!

While similar to my chocolate chip crumb cake, the addition of bananas keeps the cake super moist while also making it perfectly acceptable for a breakfast treat or snack and not just reserved for dessert. 

While I love a layered cake with thick buttercream and my Italian could eat multiple Nutella Oreo gelatos, this banana and chocolate chip cake is a favorite of all family members and the best way to satisfy any sweet cravings.

The Perfect Use for Ripe Bananas

I admit that sometimes I buy too many bananas on purpose just to have an excuse to use leftover overripe bananas to make classic banana bread, an old fashioned Banana Cake and this banana crumb cake recipe! 

Ripe and spotty bananas may not be so great to eat, in fact I have only known one person, my mother, who ate them with the black skin, but they are absolutely perfect to use in baked goods, especially quick breads! Their soft texture mashes better and they add a sweet taste!

Recipe Ingredients 

• Butter: Unsalted butter is best in baked goods Room temperature butter will cream better so plan accordingly. 
• Brown sugar: Adds a caramel-like sweet taste and additional moisture to this banana coffee cake recipe.
• Vanilla extract: Adds a rich layer of flavor.
• Egg: One large egg adds moisture and binding.
• Mashed bananas: Two ripe, spotty bananas are best for banana crumb cake! 
• Flour: All-purpose flour, cake flour or pastry flour can be used.
• Baking powder and baking soda: Two leavening agents for lift and rise.
• Salt: Enhances the taste of the other ingredients.
• Greek yogurt: You can use full fat Greek yogurt, 0% Greek yogurt or even plain regular yogurt!
• Crumb topping: For the streusel topping you will need chocolate chips, brown sugar, flour, cinnamon and softened butter. 

Why use room temperature ingredients?

With cakes and other baking, it’s always better to use room temperature ingredients. So, take any cold ingredients out of the refrigerator an hour ahead of time or sooner if it’s cool in your kitchen.

Why use cake flour?

I like to use cake/pastry flour in most of my cake recipes because it makes a cake softer and more tender. You can easily make your own – for every cup of all purpose flour, remove two tablespoons and replace with two tablespoons of corn starch. Be sure to sift the flour and cornstarch together a couple of times, this way it is sure to be properly combined and lump free.

How to Make Banana Chocolate Chip Crumb Cake

To start, make the crumb topping by mixing together the chocolate chips, brown sugar, flour and cinnamon in a medium sized bowl. Cut in the butter until it resembles coarse crumbs then set aside.

Whisk dry ingredients of flour baking powder, baking soda and salt in another bowl to remove any lumps then set aside.

Cream butter, brown sugar and vanilla in the bowl of an electric mixer until light and fluffy. Add the egg and then the mashed banana. 

Add flour mixture into the wet ingredients alternately with the Greek yogurt, starting and ending with sifted ingredients then beat until smooth, being careful not to over mix. 

Pour into the prepared cake pan, sprinkle with the reserved streusel crumb topping.

Bake until done, check for doneness with a toothpick. Cool before serving.

Variations and Substitutions

• Extra chocolate chips: Add up to a 1 cup of mini chocolate chips or stir semisweet chocolate chips into the banana chocolate chip cake batter. For extra rich taste use milk chocolate chips!
• Nutty: Add up to 1 cup of chopped pecan pieces or walnuts to the batter. 
• Greek yogurt: Substitute equal amounts of sour cream. 
• Flavor of Greek yogurt: I use plain Greek yogurt in this moist banana cake but you can also use vanilla flavored yogurt if preferred. 
• Warm spices: I love this with cinnamon in the chocolate chip streusel but you can also add up to ½ teaspoon of cinnamon to the crumb cake batter. 
• Double the streusel: For a banana chocolate chip coffee cake, double the streusel and layer half of streusel in between layers of the batter plus more crumbly topping on top! 

Baking Tips

• Easily mash your bananas: Use either a fork or potato masher to mash your bananas before adding them to the banana crumb cake batter.
• Too dry streusel crumble: If your crumble topping seems dry, add a little milk and place in the refrigerator for 10-15 minutes to improve the texture.
• Avoid a dry cake: Check for doneness with a toothpick around 45 minutes. If the toothpick comes out clean with only a few crumbs your cake is done. 
• Room temperature ingredients: Softened butter and room temperature eggs and Greek yogurt will incorporate more fully into the crumb cake batter. 

Recipe FAQs

Is this crumb cake similar to a coffee cake?

While similar, there is a difference between the two. Crumb cake will often have a thicker layer of streusel topping while coffee cake is more cake with a lighter topping of streusel. Both are delicious! 

What size pan is best to use for this banana crumb cake?

For this delicious coffee cake recipe, I used my small deep springform pan so it would rise high! If you don’t have a springform cake pan, a normal 8 inch cake pan. You could also use a 9-inch square pan. Double the recipe and make it in a 9×13 baking pan if you have lots of bananas!

How long does this crumb cake stay fresh?

You can store leftover crumb cake in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days.

Can I freeze leftover banana chocolate chip coffee cake? 

Yes! Bake and then cool completely. Wrap whole cake in plastic wrap then foil and store in the freezer for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and bring to room temperature before enjoying. 

Whether enjoyed with a steaming cup of coffee in the morning or savored as an after-dinner delight, this cake never fails to bring smiles and satisfaction. So, next time you find yourself with ripe bananas and a craving for something extraordinary, remember the magic of banana chocolate chip crumb cake—a dessert that turns ordinary moments into extraordinary memories.

Updated from June 14, 2015.