Banana Bread with Streusel Topping: The Ultimate Comfort Food

Let’s be real—there’s something magical about the combination of ripe bananas and warm, cinnamon-y sweetness. Banana bread is one of those comforting classics that makes your whole kitchen smell like heaven. But what if we could make it even better? Enter banana bread with a cinnamon streusel topping—the ultimate upgrade to a beloved treat!

The beauty of this banana bread isn’t just in its flavour, though it’s certainly packed with banana goodness, but in that irresistible streusel topping. It's sweet, crunchy, and slightly caramelized, perfectly complementing the soft, moist banana bread beneath it. Every bite is a little piece of heaven, and trust me, this recipe is one you're going to want to keep on hand for cozy mornings, afternoon snacks, or whenever you need a simple, feel-good dessert.

So grab your overripe bananas (the more brown spots, the better!), and let’s get baking!

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Why You’ll Love This Banana Bread 

• Soft, Moist, and Fluffy: The banana bread itself is wonderfully moist and tender, thanks to the sour cream and mashed bananas.

• Crispy Streusel: The cinnamon sugar streusel adds the perfect contrast with its crunchy texture and spicy sweetness.

• Simple Ingredients: This recipe uses everyday ingredients you probably already have in your pantry, so you can bake it up any time you need a quick sweet fix.

• Perfect for Breakfast or Dessert: It’s got the kind of flavours that work for both—whether you’re enjoying it with your morning coffee or as a treat after dinner.

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Banana Bread with Streusel Topping

Yield: 12

Author: Jennifer Cartier

Prep time: 15 MinCook time: 1 H & 10 MTotal time: 1 H & 25 M

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Ingredients

For the Streusel Topping

• 6 tablespoons butter, softened
• 1/2 cup flour
• 1/3 cup dark brown sugar
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon

For the Banana Bread

• 1/4 cup butter, softened
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 2 cups mashed bananas (about 4-5 medium bananas)
• 2 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup sour cream
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour

Instructions

1. Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9x5-inch loaf pan or line it with parchment paper for easy removal.
2. Make the Streusel Topping: In a small bowl, combine butter, flour, brown sugar, granulated sugar, salt, and cinnamon. Use a fork or your fingers to mix everything together until it forms a crumbly mixture. Set aside—this is the crunchy magic that’s going to top your banana bread!
3. Mix the Banana Bread Ingredients: In a large bowl, cream together softened butter and granulated sugar. Beat until light and fluffy—about 2-3 minutes. Add in the mashed bananas, eggs, and vanilla extract. Mix everything together until well combined. Stir in the sour cream, baking soda, and salt. Gradually add in the flour, mixing just until combined. Be careful not to overmix, as that can make the bread dense. You want the batter to be nice and thick.
4. Assemble the Bread: Pour the banana bread batter into your prepared loaf pan, spreading it evenly. Sprinkle the streusel topping evenly over the top of the batter. The streusel will spread out as it bakes, creating that perfect golden, crunchy top.
5. Bake: Place the loaf pan in the preheated oven and bake for 60-70 minutes. Check for doneness by inserting a toothpick or skewer into the center—if it comes out clean (or with just a few moist crumbs), it’s done. If the top is getting too dark but the bread is still uncooked in the center, cover the loaf with aluminum foil and continue baking.
6. Cool & Enjoy: Let the banana bread cool in the pan for about 10 minutes, then remove it from the pan and allow it to cool completely on a wire rack. Slice it up and enjoy! (Pro tip: It’s amazing warm with a little pat of butter on top!)

Nutrition Facts

Calories

306

Fat

13 g

Sat. Fat

7 g

Carbs

46 g

Fiber

2 g

Net carbs

44 g

Sugar

23 g

Protein

4 g

Sodium

378 mg

Cholesterol

62 mg

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Tips for the Perfect Banana Bread 

• Banana Quality: The riper the bananas, the better! You want those spots of brown sugar-sweet goodness for maximum banana flavour. Overripe bananas give the bread that perfect sweetness and moisture.

• Don't Overmix: When adding the flour, mix just until combined. Overmixing can make the bread dense and less fluffy.

• Streusel Texture: If you want extra crunchy streusel, you can refrigerate it for a few minutes before sprinkling it on top of the batter. This helps the crumbly topping maintain its texture as it bakes.

• Make It Your Own: Want to add a little something extra? Toss in some chopped nuts (walnuts are my fave!), chocolate chips, or even a handful of dried fruit like cranberries for an extra special twist.

Why You’ll Keep Coming Back for More

This banana bread with streusel topping is the perfect combo of soft, sweet, and crunchy. The moist, flavorful banana bread pairs so beautifully with the spicy-sweet cinnamon streusel, giving each bite the kind of balance that makes you want to keep coming back for more.

Whether you’re baking it to share with friends, wrapping it up as a gift for someone special, or just sneaking a slice while watching your favourite show (we’ve all been there), this banana bread recipe is sure to satisfy.

Got any banana bread hacks or secret ingredients of your own? Let me know in the comments—I’m always up for a new twist on a classic!