For my Mother’s Day brunch, I decided to whip up this Brown Butter Banana Coffee Cake, and it was a huge hit among my entire family. This recipe is not only perfect for brunch or breakfast gatherings but also makes a delightful dessert, of course! The cinnamony crunchy topping adds a perfect touch to the moist and flavorful cake. If you have overripe bananas on hand, this recipe is a must-try. I’ve always loved experimenting with banana butter recipes, and this one, in particular, has become a bit of a signature dish for me. The combination of brown butter and banana is simply irresistible!
Ingredients:
Unsalted Butter: Butter is essential for adding richness and moisture to the cake. In this recipe, browning the butter enhances its flavor, adding a nutty, caramel-like depth that elevates the overall taste. The fat in butter also helps to create a tender crumb by coating the flour proteins, which limits gluten formation.
Brown Sugar: Brown sugar provides sweetness and adds moisture due to its molasses content, which helps keep the cake soft and flavorful. It also contributes to the cake’s rich, caramel-like flavor, complementing the browned butter. The molasses in brown sugar can enhance the cake’s color, giving it a slightly darker and more appealing appearance.
Egg: The egg acts as a binder, holding the ingredients together and providing structure to the cake. It also adds moisture, contributing to the cake’s tender texture. The proteins in the egg help the cake to rise and maintain its shape while baking.
Overripe Bananas: Bananas add natural sweetness and moisture, which helps keep the cake soft and moist. Their high sugar content enhances the overall flavor, while their spottiness indicates ripeness, providing a more intense banana flavor. Bananas also act as a binding agent, helping to hold the cake together.
Vanilla Extract:Â Vanilla extract enhances the flavor profile of the cake by adding a sweet, aromatic note. It complements the flavors of the browned butter and bananas, making the cake more fragrant and flavorful. A good vanilla extract can round out the sweetness and add depth to the overall taste.
Whole Milk: Milk adds moisture to the cake batter, ensuring a soft and tender crumb. The fat and proteins in whole milk help to create a finer texture and improve the cake’s overall mouthfeel. It also helps to dissolve the sugar and distribute the flavors evenly throughout the batter.
Sour Cream or High-Fat Greek Yogurt: Sour cream or Greek yogurt adds moisture and a slight tanginess, which balances the sweetness of the cake. The acidity in these ingredients reacts with the baking powder, helping the cake to rise and creating a light, fluffy texture. The fat content also contributes to a richer, more tender crumb.
All-Purpose Flour: Flour provides the structure and foundation of the cake by forming the batter’s base. The gluten in the flour helps to hold the cake together, giving it shape and stability. All-purpose flour is versatile and provides a balance between strength and tenderness.
Baking Powder: Baking powder is a leavening agent that helps the cake to rise by producing carbon dioxide gas when it reacts with the wet ingredients. This gas creates air pockets, making the cake light and fluffy. It is crucial for ensuring the cake has a proper rise and texture.
Salt: Salt enhances the overall flavor of the cake by balancing the sweetness and intensifying the other flavors. It helps to bring out the nuances of the browned butter, bananas, and vanilla. Salt also strengthens the gluten network, contributing to the cake’s structure.
Melted Butter (for the crumble): Melted butter in the crumble mixture binds the ingredients together, creating a cohesive topping. It adds richness and helps the crumble to become golden and crispy during baking. The butter also infuses the crumble with a delicious, buttery flavor.
Brown Sugar (for the crumble): Brown sugar in the crumble mixture adds sweetness and a moist, chewy texture due to its molasses content. It helps the crumble to caramelize slightly, adding depth and richness to the topping. The molasses also enhances the overall flavor of the crumble.
All-Purpose Flour (for the crumble): Flour in the crumble mixture provides structure and bulk, helping to create a crumbly texture. It absorbs some of the moisture from the melted butter, resulting in a mixture that can be easily sprinkled over the cake batter. The flour also helps to bind the other ingredients together.
Ground Cinnamon (for the crumble): Cinnamon adds a warm, spicy flavor to the crumble, complementing the sweetness of the brown sugar and the richness of the butter. It enhances the overall flavor profile of the cake by adding a comforting, aromatic note. Cinnamon also pairs well with the flavors of banana and browned butter.
What is Coffee Cake?
Brown Butter Banana Coffee Cake Recipe (With VIDEO)
Video
Ingredients
For the Cake
- ½ cup unsalted butter
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 1 large egg
- 3 overripe bananas, mashed the spottier, the better
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- ¼ cup whole milk
- ¼ cup sour cream or high-fat Greek yogurt
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
For the Crumble
- 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- â…” cup brown sugar
- ¾ cup all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
Optional Glaze
- ½ cup powdered sugar
- 2-3 tablespoons milk
Instructions
- Preheat and Prep: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9-inch round cake pan and set it aside.
- Brown the Butter: In a medium saucepan over medium-low heat, melt 1/2 cup (115g) of unsalted butter. Continue cooking, stirring frequently, until the butter turns golden brown and develops a nutty aroma. This should take about 5-7 minutes. Be careful not to burn the butter. Remove from heat and let it cool for 5-10 minutes.
- Mix Wet Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the browned butter with 1 cup (200g) of brown sugar. Beat until well combined. Add in 1 large egg and 1 tablespoon (15ml) of vanilla extract, mixing until smooth. Stir in the mashed bananas until fully incorporated. Then, add 1/4 cup (60ml) of milk and 1/4 cup (60g) of sour cream or Greek yogurt, mixing until the batter is smooth.
- Prepare Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together 2 cups (240g) of all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon (4g) of baking powder, and 1/4 teaspoon (1g) of salt.
- Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients: Gradually fold the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. Be careful not to overmix, as this can result in a dense cake.
- Layer the Cake: Pour half of the cake batter into the prepared 9-inch round cake pan, spreading it evenly.
- Make the Crumble: In a medium bowl, combine 6 tablespoons (85g) of melted butter, 2/3 cup (133g) of brown sugar, 3/4 cup (95g) of flour, and 2 teaspoons (4g) of ground cinnamon. Mix until the ingredients are well combined and form a crumbly texture.
- Assemble the Cake: Sprinkle half of the crumble mixture evenly over the batter in the cake pan. Then, pour the remaining cake batter over the crumble layer, spreading it gently. Top with the remaining crumble mixture.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 45 to 55 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean.
- Cool and Slice: Allow the cake to cool in the pan on a wire rack for about 15 minutes. Then, remove the cake from the pan and let it cool completely before slicing into 12 equal pieces.
- Optional Glaze: If desired, make a glaze by whisking together 1/2 cup (60g) of powdered sugar and 2-3 tablespoons (30-45ml) of milk until smooth. Drizzle over the cooled cake before serving.
Nutrition
Storage Instructions
Conclusion
This Brown Butter Banana Coffee Cake is a delightful treat that perfectly balances the rich, nutty flavor of brown butter with the sweet, fruity taste of ripe bananas. The moist and tender crumb, along with the sweet cinnamon crumble topping, makes this cake a standout dessert or snack that pairs perfectly with a cup of coffee. Whether you’re looking for a comforting treat or a delicious dessert to impress your guests, this banana coffee cake bread recipe is sure to delight your taste buds.
If you enjoyed this recipe, be sure to check out my other baking creations on my blog. Don’t forget to subscribe to my newsletter for monthly updates, exclusive recipes, and baking tips. Happy baking!
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