About
Look into the depths of the Banana Swirl Coffee Cake. Within the depths of its swirling sweetness are a beautiful breakfast and a wonderful day ahead of you! The cake itself is as tender as any banana bread, with a tangy, creamy, and luscious cream cheese filling in each slice. On top is a buttery, crunchy, and nutty streusel topping that tastes like the best of any coffee cake. Even better, there's a smooth, rich vanilla glaze just like a scone or a muffin. Wait a minute, it sounds like the Banana Swirl Coffee Cake is like the best of all brunch confections rolled into one! And it is!
Ingredients
- For the cinnamon walnut streusel:
- 1/2 cup walnuts
- 1/2 cup flour
- 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
- 1/2 tablespoon cinnamon
- 4 tablespoons cold butter, cubed
- For the banana cake:
- 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 1/4 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 1/4 teaspoons baking soda
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/2 cup butter, softened
- 1 1/2 cups sugar
- 2 large eggs, at room temperature
- 1 cup bananas, mashed
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 1 1/4 cups sour cream, not nonfat, at room temperature
- 1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips, optional
- 1/2 cup walnuts, chopped, optional
- For the cream cheese filling:
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1/4 cup reserved batter from the banana cake
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- For the vanilla glaze:
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 tablespoons milk
- For the optional garnish:
- mini chocolate chips, to taste
Directions
Step 1 -Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
Step 2 -Spray all the surfaces of a 16-cup nonstick angel food cake pan with nonstick cooking spray.
Step 3 -Flour the inside of the pan.
Step 4 -Add 1/2 cup of the walnuts to a food processor and pulse 3 times.
Step 5 -Add 1/2 cup of the flour, the brown sugar, 1/2 tablespoon of the cinnamon, pulsing a few times to combine.
Step 6 -Sprinkle 4 tablespoons of the cold butter over the top of the mixture and pulse until the walnuts are completely chopped and the mixture resembles small pebbles.
Step 7 -Place the streusel mixture in the fridge while you make the other parts of the cake.
Step 8 -In a medium bowl, whisk the remaining flour, the baking powder, the baking soda, the salt, and the remaining cinnamon.
Step 9 -In the bowl of a stand mixer, beat the remaining butter and 1 1/2 cups of the sugar until fluffy on medium-high speed, about 3 minutes.
Step 10 -Add the eggs one at a time, beating just until the yellow disappears after each egg before adding the next one.
Step 11 -Mix in 1 tablespoon of the vanilla extract and the bananas until just combined.
Step 12 -Gradually add the flour mixture to the banana mixture in thirds alternating with the sour cream between each third, beating until just combined.
Step 13 -Measure out 1/4 cup of the batter, setting it aside for the cream cheese filling.
Step 14 -Stir in the chocolate chips and the remaining walnuts into the remaining batter until just combined.
Step 15 -Measure out 1 cup of the batter to top the cream cheese layer, spooning the rest of the batter into the prepared pan.
Step 16 -In a mixing bowl, add the cream cheese, 1/4 cup of the reserved batter, 1/4 cup of the sugar, and 1 teaspoon of the vanilla extract.
Step 17 -Beat the cream cheese mixture on medium-high speed until smooth and creamy, about 1 minute.
Step 18 -Spoon the cream cheese filling over the batter in the pan and gently smooth it out without touching the sides of the pan. Leave at least 1/4-inch of space on all sides.
Step 19 -Spread the reserved 1 cup of the batter evenly over the filling.
Step 20 -Gently tap the pan on the counter a few times to remove any air bubbles.
Step 21 -Sprinkle the top of the batter evenly with the streusel.
Step 22 -Bake until a toothpick inserted into the cake (without going through the cream cheese center) comes out clean, about 55-60 minutes.
Step 23 -Transfer the cake to a wire rack and allow to cool for 1 hour.
Step 24 -Gently transfer the cake from the pan and allow it to cool on the wire rack until room temperature.
Step 25 -Whisk the powdered sugar, the remaining vanilla, and the milk together in a medium bowl.
Step 26 -Drizzle the glaze over the cake.
Step 27 -Sprinkle the mini chocolate chips over the top.
Step 28 -Serve.
