CRANBERRY BANANA COFFEE CAKE

Cranberry Banana Coffee Cake is a delightful twist on the traditional coffee cake, combining the natural sweetness of ripe bananas with the tartness of cranberries. This moist, flavorful cake is topped with a buttery streusel that adds a satisfying crunch to every bite. Perfect for breakfast, brunch, or an afternoon treat, this coffee cake is a great way to enjoy seasonal flavors and make the most of overripe bananas. The combination of bananas and cranberries creates a balanced flavor profile that’s both sweet and tangy, making this cake an irresistible treat for any occasion.

Ingredients:

For the Cake:

• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 3/4 cup granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 ripe bananas, mashed
• 1/2 cup sour cream or Greek yogurt
• 1 cup fresh or frozen cranberries (if using frozen, do not thaw)

For the Streusel Topping:

• 1/3 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/4 cup brown sugar, packed
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 cup unsalted butter, cold and cubed
• 1/4 cup chopped nuts (optional, such as walnuts or pecans)

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9-inch square baking pan or line it with parchment paper.
2. Make the streusel topping: In a small bowl, combine the flour, brown sugar, and cinnamon. Add the cold, cubed butter and use a pastry cutter or your fingers to work the butter into the dry ingredients until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Stir in the chopped nuts if using, and set aside.
3. Prepare the cake batter: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
4. Cream the butter and sugar: In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes. Add the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Mix in the vanilla extract.
5. Combine the wet and dry ingredients: Add the mashed bananas and sour cream (or Greek yogurt) to the butter mixture and mix until well combined. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing just until combined. Fold in the cranberries.
6. Assemble the coffee cake: Pour the batter into the prepared baking pan and spread it out evenly. Sprinkle the streusel topping evenly over the batter.
7. Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 40-45 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean. If the top starts to brown too quickly, cover it loosely with foil.
8. Cool and serve: Allow the cake to cool in the pan on a wire rack. Once cooled, cut into squares and serve.

Cranberry Banana Coffee Cake is a moist and flavorful treat that’s perfect for any time of day. The combination of sweet bananas, tart cranberries, and a crunchy streusel topping makes this coffee cake a delightful addition to your baking repertoire.