Say hello to morning with a big slice of this tasty Banana Walnut Coffee Cake!
I’m a morning person. I always have been. Back when I was a little kid, I’d wake up at 5:30am. I couldn’t go back to sleep, so I’d get up and read comic books. (And eat powdered sugar doughnuts.) To be fair, I guess there was that spell in college when I didn’t wake up early. Since when is a 9:10am class too early!?
Even now, I’m an early riser. And I see this pattern repeating itself in Robbie. But that’s ok. We’ll just go downstairs, brew a cup of coffee (for Dad) and some milk (for Robbie) and eat a slice of Banana Walnut Coffee Cake. There may or may not be cartoons involved. And not those new-aged cartoons where everyone gets a trophy. I’m talking Tom & Jerry and Wile E. Coyote. Nothing beats an anvil materializing out of thin air and squishing the bad guy. (Although to be fair, I’ve always loved Wile E. And I still pull for him to get that darned Road Runner.) Thank goodness for the Boomerang network at 5:30am.
So Robbie has been on a serious banana kick lately. In fact, I’d count banana among his first 5 words. (And by banana, I mean him saying “nanana.” But he does point at the bananas on the counter when he says it.) We cut them into little pieces for him, and he initially struggled with the slimy texture. But then he got over it, and now he’s a banana-eating machine.
For me, banana bread was a staple growing up. My Mom always had a bunch of bananas on the counter ripening until they were well past a normal banana. But those are the best for baking! So this past week, I wondered what would happen if I merged my mom’s banana bread recipe with my coffee cake recipe. The result was this Banana Walnut Coffee Cake. And it was nothing short of amazing!
Even Laura (who readily admits that she doesn’t like breakfast food) was all about this Banana Walnut Coffee Cake. She’d sit on the floor with a slice, and Robbie would come over and try to pick up the crumbs off of her plate. The fact that this cake had a strong banana flavor only encouraged the little guy even more! We made sure Robbie ate a wholesome breakfast, but we did let him nibble on some of the crumbs from this cake.
If you like banana bread, then you owe it to yourself to try this Banana Walnut Coffee Cake! It’s the kind of cake that can be served for breakfast along with a steaming mug of coffee. Or you can pull this one out for dessert…again with a steaming mug of coffee. We may or may not have served it for both breakfast and dessert. Laura opted to have hers in the morning. I opted to have mine at night. No matter when you prefer your coffee cake, I hope you enjoy this one! It’s good. Like really good!
Ingredients
- ½ cup walnuts, finely chopped
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- 2 Tbsp granulated sugar
- 1½ tsp cinnamon
- ¼ tsp nutmeg
- 4 Tbsp unsalted butter, melted
- ¾ cup all-purpose flour
- 2½ cups all-purpose flour
- 2 tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp baking soda
- ½ tsp salt
- 1¼ cups granulated sugar
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- ¾ cup (12 Tbsp) unsalted butter, room temperature
- 3 large eggs, room temperature
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tsp lemon juice
- 1¼ cups sour cream
- 4 ripe bananas, mashed
- ¾ cup chopped walnuts
Instructions
- Using a medium bowl, add walnuts, brown sugar, granulated sugar, cinnamon and nutmeg; stir until well combined.
- Add the melted butter; stir until well combined.
- Add the flour; stir until well combined. Set Streusel aside.
- Preheat oven to 350°F.
- Grease and flour (or spray with nonstick spray) a a 9”x3” round cake pan; set pan aside. (Note: I use a 9" round and 3" tall springform pan for this recipe.)
- In medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt until well combined; set mixture aside.
- Using a countertop mixer, cream together the sugars and butter until light and fluffy (~2-3 minutes on medium speed).
- Add eggs, one at a time, mixing after each addition.
- Add vanilla, lemon juice, sour cream, mashed bananas and chopped walnuts; mix on low speed until well combined.
- Add dry ingredients to the bowl and mix on low until just combined.
- Pour half of the batter into greased cake pan. Crumble half of the Streusel on top of batter. Pour remaining batter on top. Finally, crumble remaining Streusel on top of batter. (Tip: Leave some bigger chunks of Streusel on top!)
- Bake at 350°F for 45 minutes. Open oven and tent the top of the cake with a piece of tin foil to prevent the streusel from burning. Continue baking for another 50-55 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into cake comes out mostly clean.
- Place cake on cooling rack for at least 30 minutes before slicing.
I do get up early, but probably not 5:30am early and on the weekend I like to sleep in a little. So fun watching cartoons, though, even now. Love the old school classics and even more modern ones, like Adventure Time (have you seen that one?? It’s good). I do really enjoy breakfast, especially on the weekend when I typically have something a little more indulgent. Morning or night, this cake would be perfect to me, but I bet that it’s extra tasty in the morning with coffee. I eat a banana pretty much every day and love how Robbie calls them – nanana – too cute! Cheers to a great week, David 🙂
We used to sleep in a little bit…like 7 or 7:30. But Robbie has no interest in sleeping that late, so we’re up and at ’em early now. But like I said, the Boomerang Network on tv has been awesome. They show all the retro cartoons, and I’ve been loving it…even if Robbie still has a rather small attention span. I found the Bugs Bunny “Hair Raising Hare” episode last week. Talk about a classic!! I haven’t seen Adventure Time yet, though. I’ll have to look for it.
Do give this coffee cake a shot sometime, Dawn. Laura calls this one of my best creations of all time. Actually, her quote was “This cake would make a bakery in the South famous.” 🙂 Hope your week is off to a good start, my friend!
You’re definitely speaking my language here, both with the coffee cake and the early mornings. My favorite part of the day is always 5 am, when it’s quiet and I’m the only one awake. Coffee tastes better in silence, I think. Banana bread is one of my favorite things in life, so your having made it into a coffee cake has me all kinds of excited! Bananas are totally my jam–and I’m so glad they’re Robbie’s too. He’s clearly one bright kid :). Have a wonderful week!
Yes! I love the early mornings, too. Granted, I loved them more when it was nice and quiet, but watching Robbie play is fun in a different way. So you and Robbie both have the banana thing going on! Do you call yours “nananas”? Don’t lie! Thanks, Kelsie!
I am a definite morning person! I love it because everyone else is still sleeping, so it’s my time. I’d love to start the day with this banana walnut coffee cake! It would be a perfect way to start the day.
I agree with you totally, Kathy! The morning quiet is just so peaceful and awesome. I guess there is an evening quiet, too, but I’m usually long asleep by the time that comes around. Hope your week is off to a great start!
Are the baking times correctly written? Seems 1 hour, 45 minutes is an extensive bake time…I want to bake this today, I will just monitor it after the first 45 minutes, I can see maybe another 10-15 making sense but maybe its a very deep pan full of batter. If the oven were set lower I can see it baking for longer, however, you say 350 and that is considered a moderate oven…..recipe sounds heavenly!
Hey Cheer! Yes, indeed, these baking times are correct. The moderate temperature (350°F) causes quite a long baking time. I agree that it sounds a bit funny to say 1 hour, 45 minutes…but that’s indeed how long it took. (The deep pan full of batter is another culprit.) But trust me that the results are worth it! Just check the cake with a toothpick to make sure it’s done. 🙂 I hope you enjoy this one as much as we did. My wife calls this one a recipe that would make a Southern bakery famous. Haha!
I am here to say, it is wonderful, thank you, I agree with your wife, its going to make me pretty famous today:)
Awww…thanks so much for coming back and leaving this comment, Cheer! I’ll have to let Laura (my wife) know that you agree with her. I’m really honored that you made this one yesterday, and I hope you enjoy it as much as we do! Have a great rest of the week, my baking friend!
Hi David. I make quite a bit of banana bread as we have two good friends who can’t seem to get along without it. This coffee cake sounds wonderful, I can almost smell it baking! Now I just need to get some bananas.
Do give this banana bread/coffee cake a shot, Dorothy! Laura called this a cake “that would make a bakery in the South famous.” 🙂 It’s seriously one of my favorites, and I need to make another one sometime soon. Happy Tuesday, my Tennessee friend!
I do love bananas and banana baked goodies too, David. However, I cannot say banana bread was a staple when I was growing. Back to that years, when I was a kid, bananas were mostly a unique thing in Russia having been in stores just a couple of times a year. But I didn’t really remember those years – by the time I grown up a little, bananas had stopped being that exotic thing. And this cake is seriously delicious. I would wake up at 6 or even 5 a.m. if anyone bakes this for me (But I might or might not continue my sleep afrer a few slices).
Wow. Bananas were only available a couple of times a year in Russia? I mean you guys probably had other ingredients that we don’t have…but still! I say it’s time to make up for lost time. Start baking up banana bread every weekend! And then mix it up and make this banana bread coffee cake. I promise it’s worth it! 🙂
I love bananas too and I have two grandchildren that love bananas. I am sure that this banana walnut coffee cake would be a hit at my house. I with you on the cartoon too, the older ones are the best!
The older cartoons are always the best! But I’m sure Robbie will find some new cartoons that he loves…despite the fact that I want him to watch only the old classics. Haha! Cheers to bananas and delicious banana bread! Thanks so much, Dawn!
I put myself through college working at Starbucks, it was one of the best times of my life. I loved every minute of it, seriously I really did. We used to have this classic coffee cake that was insanely good, Starbuck has since changed the recipe and the vendor makes their pastries so I haven’t had coffee cake in over 15 years. The addition of bananas and walnuts sounds AMAZEBALLS! I’m not too sure what kind of person I am. I can stay up late and I can get up early. I like getting up but sometimes I love sleeping in. Those new age cartoons suck! Bring on the looney tunes! 🙂 I bet Robbie eating a banana is insanely cute.
Wait! I had no idea you worked at Starbucks! Did you drink a ton of coffee every day? I would be so wired if I worked there…either that or I would just stop drinking coffee entirely. Haha! You should totally splurge and have a slice of coffee cake sometime, Mary. Coffee cakes are seriously one of my all-time favorite treats…and this banana version is amazing. Laura called it a “cake that would make a bakery in the South famous.” 🙂
Dang David! How EPIC is this! I knew you had mad baking skills…but, today I realized those skills aren’t just mad – they are epically mad! I love coffee cake, and I love banana cake – never had the two together – what a dream! I’m a morning person too – so I second Laura’s choice for having this for breakfast – makes for a good morning indeed!
Oh, and this “And not those new-aged cartoons where everyone gets a trophy. I’m talking Tom & Jerry and Wile E. Coyote” freakin best line ever!
Happy Tuesday, my Upstate NYC friend – hope this week is off to a wonderful start for y’all!
So this banana bread coffee cake kinda came about randomly. I wanted to make a coffee cake, but I had some bananas up in the kitchen. So I thought, hmm…I wonder. And I’m glad I wondered! Because this one is legit good! Laura called this “a cake that would make a bakery in the South famous.” Haha! Bring on the coffee cake and old-school cartoons! Thanks so much, Shashi. Hope you gals are having a great week so far!
I don´t think I´ve ever been a morning person (like ever!) but I might wake up for a slice of this banana walnut coffee cake with a big mug of coffeee… It seriously looks delish!! 🙂
Oh, that sounds like heaven right about now, Johlene! A nice big slice of cake and a big mug of strong coffee. I’m already up in the morning, but I might be willing to stay up late for that one, too! Haha! Thanks so much, my friend!
Wow! All I need for breakfast is in this wonderful combination. I need banana for my low-cab diet, I need coffee to wake me up in the morning and I need a cake for light breakfast. What a brilliant idea! Thank you so much for sharing!
Haha! See, this cake was just made for you then, Lucy! Seriously, though, it is one of my favorites, and I think it’s about time to make another one as the first one is all gone. Thank you SO much for stopping by and commenting!
David, I love this banana walnut coffee cake! In fact I love any cake that has anything to do with coffee (the coffee being IN the actual cake or just eating cake with coffee 😉 ).
I say YES to those Tom and Jerry cartoons! So much better than modern cartoon offerings. And are they Fred Quimby ones? Those were my favourite and ones I still consider the best!
I’d happily join you guys at those early hours for a slice of this cake too. Are you up at 4am though. Too early? 😀
I’m right there with ya on the coffee and cake thing, Neil. I love a good cup of strong coffee, and there’s no better treat alongside that cup than a slice of coffee cake…or in this case Banana Bread Coffee Cake! Also, I couldn’t agree with you more about the state of cartoons. The classics are just so much better…not even close!
So 4am might be pushing it a little bit, but we can do 4:45am. Does that work? 🙂
I love Wile E. Coyote. and road runner!! ahhh those simpler times when I used to watch those cartoons where everything was ACME brand! I am an early riser too David! so can I came over for coffee and a piece of this beautiful cake too?
You and me, both, Gaila! And I still love me some ACME brand everything. Like the Rocket-powered Pogo Stick. Sounds dangerous…but also really fun, right? Haha! Or the Acme Tornado Seeds. Hah! Anyways, let’s get together one of these mornings for come coffee and cake, ok? 🙂
I’m almost afraid to make this! I LOVE banana-walnut anything, and I have a feeling I would eat it all–by myself. Well, the recipe is bookmarked now, so I’m sure it will be baked soon. (Maybe I’ll make it in small pans and freeze or give away.) My son loved bananas. I think I fed them to him twice a day since he was a baby, and as a toddler, he always had a banana in his lunch box. One day he came home from nursery school and said, “Mommy, I don’t like bananas any more.” It kinda broke my heart, me being such a banana lover and all. He just turned 29, and I know for a fact he hasn’t eaten a banana since that day in 1991. (But in spite of the weird banana loathing, he’s a foodie– and he still calls me Mommy, so there’s that!)
I totally understand where you are coming from here, Kim. This cake is indeed dangerous because it’s so darned good! The smaller pans and/or giving some away is always a good idea. I like to send half of my cakes off to my wife’s coworkers. (Although I kept this whole cake around the house…my Mom was in town, and that required coffee cake!) Awww, your son sounds adorable with all of those bananas. At least until the bananas stopped one day. I hope that never happens for Robbie…he gets SO excited for his “nananas”! Thanks so much, Kim. Hope you have a great Wednesday!
Wow this looks amazing, I wish I had this for breakfast in stead of the boring oatmeal :/
Haha! I agree that coffee cake is hard to compete with. I mean I love me some oatmeal, but Banana Bread Coffee Cake. Mmmmm… 🙂 Thanks, Manali!
Ohh yum! I love banana bread, and coffee cake is delicious. I haven’t had it in awhile, but this recipe sounds awesome! It’s great that Robbie loves bananas – healthy for him & easy to transport around for when he needs a snack! 😉
That is such a good point about bananas being easy to transport! And Robbie’s love for bananas is here to stay. Just last night, he was sitting in his chair practically screaming for more bananas. 🙂 Thanks, Nicole!
I never thought to add coffee to banana bread, I am a absolute coffee and banana bread fanatic ….what a genius recipe, putting them together. I love it…definitely saving to bake this weekend.
Why thank you very much, Ashika! This coffee cake + banana bread combo turned out SO well…and now it’s a favorite in our house. I do hope you enjoy this one as much as we do. And thanks for stopping by and commenting. Happy baking this weekend!
Am I being blind?!
There is no coffee in that recipe ANYWHERE …
Hey Joanna! Coffee cake traditionally does not include coffee. Instead, coffee cakes get their name because they are served with a cup of coffee. I did, however, create a coffee cake a while back that actually included coffee (and espresso powder) in it…just for a fun twist. Check it out: http://spicedblog.com/cappuccino-coffee-cake.html Thanks, and enjoy!
Doh! I live in UK and coffee and walnut cake is very popular here. I’ve got loads of over-ripe bananas so thought of a twist of banana bread with a coffee and walnut cake and was looking for recipes as someone must have thought of it before! Thought I hit a jackpot with this one- never mind, thanks!
Sorry, Joanna! I’m not familiar with that coffee and walnut cake that you mention…but good luck in your search! It sounds delicious! 🙂
That looks like seriously delicious cake, David!
Why thank you, my good man! It’s hard to beat banana bread or coffee cake…but when you combine them, they become an unstoppable force!
Very true, I think early morning is the best time to monitor what we are doing in our life. At this time when there is no disturbance, no outside noise, no office, no phone calls!!! Just a dedicated time to ourself.
And you have coffee as companion, nothing can be great than this.
This is not just an article for banana walnut coffee cake but lost a feeling that we all have lost somewhere in life.
I couldn’t agree more, Dimple! In fact, I was up early this morning, and it was just, the dogs and the birds outside. (The little guy was still asleep.) And it was awesome! Now if only I had some of this Banana Walnut Coffee Cake leftover, then that would have been the perfect morning! Thanks so much for your comment. 🙂
Yes I agree with you. It’s surely the most dedicated time ourself
I couldn’t agree more! Thanks, Dimple!
Very Nice Article .
I will definitely try it today.
Thanks for sharing it with us
Why thank you very much, Madhvi! This coffee cake is seriously one of my favorites! Do give it a shot. 🙂
David, just stumbled o to your blog, loving it! Can’t wait to try banana coffee cake. I convert regular recipes to gluten free usually with success. My only hang up is with banana recipes (it’s a me thing) in that in that when say4 bananas are listed how much would that measure? I’m guessing 1/12 cups? It’s that moisture can make or break a recipe! Finding lots of things to try, can’t wait, linda
Hey Linda! I am so glad you found my blog! 🙂 I do love talking and writing about (and eating!) food, and I love chatting with readers, too. You’ve stumbled onto one of my all-time favorite recipes here on the blog, too. Seriously! So I get your point about the bananas and volume thing. I came up with this recipe starting with my classic banana bread recipe which calls for 3 bananas…the volume here is more, so thus the 4 bananas. Honestly, it’s a pretty forgiving base so I think you’d be ok with either 4 small bananas or 4 large ones. I usually try to pick out “medium-sized” bananas at the store, though. I looked back at some notes on another recipe, and I’d estimate that 4 mashed bananas would be about 1 1/3 to 1 1/2 cups. That’s a rough starting point, but I’d guess it would be pretty close! Also, I saw your note about gluten-free. Have you ever used Bob’s Red Mill’s 1-1 Gluten Free flour? It’s literally a perfect 1-1 replacement for all-purpose flour, and I’ve used it a number of times with great success! Just a tip if you ever need it! 🙂 Thank you again, and I really am honored that you chose to stop by my blog. Happy baking, my friend!