“We had company staying over and I made this… We all loved it! So much better than banana bread, I think.”

Banana Bread Crumb Cake

This Banana Bread Crumb Cake combines the soft, moist richness of classic banana bread with a thick, buttery crumb topping for extra texture and sweetness. It’s cozy, flavorful, and works just as well for breakfast as it does for dessert or an afternoon treat.

Layers of banana batter and brown sugar crumb bake together into a tender cake with a golden, slightly crisp topping that makes every bite feel indulgent yet familiar.

Ingredients

Cake

Ingredient	Quantity
All-purpose flour	2 cups
Baking powder	3 tsp
Salt	½ tsp
Cinnamon	½ tsp
Very ripe bananas (lightly spotted)	3
Butter (room temperature)	½ cup (1 stick)
Granulated sugar	1½ cups
Large eggs	2
Vanilla extract	1 tsp
Milk	1 cup

Crumb Topping

Ingredient	Quantity
Cold butter, cubed	1 cup (2 sticks)
Light brown sugar	2 cups
All-purpose flour	2 cups

Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the Oven and Pan

Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with butter or nonstick spray.

Step 2: Mix Dry Ingredients (Cake Batter)

In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon.

Step 3: Mix Wet Ingredients

In a large bowl, mash the ripe bananas. Stir in softened butter, granulated sugar, eggs, and vanilla extract until smooth and well combined.

Step 4: Combine Batter

Gradually add the dry mixture and milk to the banana mixture, alternating additions. Stir gently until just combined—avoid overmixing.

Step 5: Make the Crumb Topping

In a separate bowl, combine cold butter, brown sugar, and flour. Use a fork or pastry cutter to mix until a coarse, crumbly texture forms.

Step 6: Assemble the Cake

Spread half of the batter into the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle about one-third of the crumb mixture over it. Add the remaining batter on top and smooth gently. Finish with the remaining crumb topping.