Banana Bread with Crumb Topping

There’s something undeniably comforting about the sweet aroma of banana bread wafting through the air on a lazy Sunday afternoon. It’s like a warm hug for your senses, a nostalgic nod to simpler times when life’s greatest delight was a slice of mom’s homemade bread. But just when I thought this classic couldn’t get any better, I stumbled upon a little twist that transformed my banana bread game forever: a heavenly crumb topping.

Today, I’m glad to share with you not just a recipe but a comfort in the form of edible bliss: Banana Bread with Crumb Topping.

How to make Banana Bread with Crumb Topping

Banana bread with crumb topping is a delicious variation of traditional banana bread, enhanced with a sweet and crunchy crumbly topping. It typically consists of a moist banana bread base made with mashed ripe bananas, flour, sugar, eggs, and other ingredients like baking powder, baking soda, and vanilla extract. The crumb topping, often made with flour, butter, sugar, and sometimes nuts or oats, is sprinkled on top of the banana bread batter before baking.

Ingredients

For the Banana Bread:

• 1 3/4 cups (220g) all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 cup (115g) unsalted butter, at room temperature
• 1 cup (200g) granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs at room temperature
• 1/4 cup (60ml) sour cream or plain yogurt
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 3 ripe bananas, mashed (approximately 1 1/2 cups)
• 1/2 cup (60g) chopped walnuts or pecans (optional)

For the Crumb Topping:

• 1 cup (125g) all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup (100g) brown sugar, packed
• 1/4 cup (50g) granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup (115g) unsalted butter, melted

Instructions:

1. Prepare your pan and oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9×5-inch loaf pan. For easy removal, you can line it with parchment paper, allowing some overhang on the sides.
2. Mix dry ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the 1 3/4 cups of flour, baking soda, salt, and 1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon. These dry components will build the structure of your bread.
3. Cream butter and sugar: In a large bowl, cream the room-temperature butter and 1 cup of granulated sugar until light and fluffy. This process introduces air into the batter, ensuring a soft texture.
4. Add eggs and vanilla: Incorporate the eggs one at a time, followed by the vanilla extract, blending after each addition to maintain a silky consistency.
5. Combine with mashed bananas and sour cream: Stir in the mashed bananas and sour cream or yogurt, mixing until just combined. Keeping some lumps in the bananas adds character to your bread.
6. Blend dry and wet mixtures: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring until just combined. Avoid overmixing to prevent tough bread.
7. Add nuts (if using): Fold in the chopped walnuts or pecans for those who desire a nutty texture.
8. Prepare crumb topping: For the crumb topping, whisk together 1 cup of flour, brown sugar, 1/4 cup of granulated sugar, 1 teaspoon of cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt in a bowl. Pour the melted butter over the mixture and mix with a fork until crumbly.
9. Assemble: Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan. Evenly sprinkle the crumb topping over the batter.
10. Bake: Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for 60-70 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the bread comes out clean.
11. Cool: Allow the banana bread to cool in the pan for about 10 minutes, then transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely.

Baking Tips:

• Banana ripeness: The darker the banana, the better. Overripe bananas provide maximum sweetness and moisture.
• Sour cream substitute: If you’re out of sour cream or yogurt, buttermilk can be a good alternative; it contributes to the bread’s moistness.
• Crumb topping texture: Add a handful of rolled oats to the mix for a crunchier topping.
• Testing doneness: Always test with a toothpick or a skewer. The bread is cooked if it comes out with just a few moist crumbs.
• Storage: This bread tastes even better the next day as flavors meld together. Store it in an airtight container to maintain its moisture.

What to serve with

Serving your Banana Bread with Crumb Topping can elevate a simple snack into a delightful experience, depending on what you pair with it. Whether you’re enjoying a slice as a breakfast treat, an afternoon pick-me-up, or a dessert, here are some suggestions to complement its rich, moist texture and sweet, crunchy topping.

Breakfast and Brunch

• Greek Yogurt & Honey: A dollop of thick Greek yogurt and a drizzle of honey not only add a protein boost to your morning but also contrast beautifully with the banana bread’s sweetness.
• Fresh Fruit Salad: Serve a refreshing fruit salad on the side. The fruit’s acidity and freshness will balance the bread’s richness. Consider fruits like strawberries, blueberries, or even a citrus mix.
• Bacon or Sausage: For a savory twist, pair your banana bread with crispy bacon strips or breakfast sausages. The salty-smoky flavors complement the bread’s sweet, fruity notes wonderfully.

Afternoon Tea or Coffee

• Coffee or Tea: A classic pairing, the warmth and bitterness of the coffee or the subtleness of tea provide a comforting balance to the sweetness of the bread. Earl Grey, English Breakfast, or a robust Espresso are perfect choices.
• Cheese Plate: For a sophisticated snack pairing, a selection of cheeses, especially those with nutty or tangy profiles, such as Brie, Gouda, or goat cheese, can accompany the banana bread.

Dessert

• Ice Cream or Whipped Cream: For a decadent dessert, add a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream. The cold, creamy texture against the moist bread and crunchy topping creates a lovely contrast.
• Caramel or Chocolate Sauce: Drizzle caramel or warm chocolate sauce over your banana bread slice to take it to the next level of dessert indulgence.
• Nut Butter or Mascarpone: Spread a layer of almond butter, peanut butter, or mascarpone cheese on a warm slice for a creamy, rich addition.

Drink Pairings

• Port or Dessert Wine: If you’re serving banana bread as a dessert, consider pairing it with a small glass of port or dessert wine. The sweet, rich flavors of these beverages can enhance the banana and cinnamon notes in the bread.
• Milk or Nut Milk: A simple glass of milk or almond milk provides a comforting, nostalgic feel that perfectly complements the homely warmth of banana bread.

Innovative Ideas

• Banana Bread French Toast: For a lavish breakfast, use thick slices of banana bread to make French Toast. Serve with maple syrup and fresh berries for an unforgettable start to your day.
• Banana Bread PB&J: Spread peanut butter and your favorite jelly on a slice of banana bread for a playful, delicious twist on the classic PB&J sandwich.

Ingredients substitutes

Substituting ingredients in your banana bread can either be out of necessity (like dietary restrictions) or simply to experiment with flavors. Here’s a guide on substitutes for the main ingredients of Banana Bread with Crumb Topping.

All-Purpose Flour:

• Whole Wheat Flour: Substitute in equal amounts for a denser, nuttier banana bread.
• Gluten-free All-Purpose Flour: Brands like Bob’s Red Mill have 1:1 substitutes for gluten-sensitive consumers.

Baking Soda:

• Baking Powder: Use 3 times the amount of baking powder. However, this could affect the flavor, so it’s recommended only if you’ve run out of baking soda.

Salt:

• Sea Salt/Himalayan Pink Salt: You can exchange the table salt for these in an even 1:1 ratio.

Cinnamon:

• Nutmeg/Allspice/Pumpkin Spice: These can make for similar autumnal flavors.

Room Temperature Butter:

• Applesauce: Use half the amount of unsweetened applesauce for a healthier option.
• Oil: Canola or vegetable oil can be substituted in equal amounts.

Granulated Sugar:

• Honey/Maple Syrup/Agave Nectar: Use these in a 3:4 ratio (i.e., for every 1 cup of sugar, use 3/4 cup of these substitutes).
• Coconut/Brown Sugar: Substitute in equal amounts, providing different depths of flavor.

Eggs:

• Flaxseed or Chia Seeds: For each egg, mix 1 tablespoon of ground flaxseed/chia seeds with 3 tablespoons of water, let it sit until it gels, and then use.
• Applesauce: Substitute 1/4 cup of unsweetened applesauce per egg.

Sour Cream/Yogurt:

• Buttermilk: Substitute in equal amounts.
• Coconut Cream: A non-dairy substitute with a consolatory richness.

Ripe Bananas:

• Applesauce: If you don’t have bananas, use equal amounts of applesauce. Be mindful that this substitutes bananas completely and removes the classic banana flavor.
• Pumpkin Puree: Use in equal amounts for a different flavor depth.

Nuts:

• Seeds: Sunflower or pumpkin seeds can be used as a nut-free option.
• Chocolate Chips: If you’re not nuts about nuts, substitute with the same amount of chocolate chips for a different kind of crunch.

Brown Sugar for Topping:

• Coconut Sugar: Substitute in equal amounts. The flavor may vary slightly.

Final Thoughts

No matter how you serve it, Banana Bread with Crumbs Topping is versatile enough to adapt to any accompaniment, enhancing its flavors and making your culinary experience even more delightful.

More Bread Recipes:

• Can You Make Cornbread Without Eggs?