Gluten-Free Banana Crumb Cake with Brown Sugar Topping
A moist, tender banana cake made with gluten-free flour and topped with a golden brown sugar crumb layer. The combination of mashed ripe bananas and vanilla creates a naturally sweet base, while the buttery crumb topping adds delightful texture contrast. Perfect for breakfast, afternoon tea, or dessert, this cake offers all the comfort of traditional banana bread in an elegant crumb cake format. The gluten-free flour blend ensures those with dietary restrictions can enjoy every bite without compromising on flavor or texture.
Ingredients
- 2 cups Gluten-Free FlourAll-purpose flour1:1Use if gluten tolerance allowsadds gluten
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- 1 teaspoon Baking Soda
- ½ teaspoon Salt
- 3 Ripe Bananas, mashed
- ½ cup Butter, melted
- 1 cup Sugar
- 2 Eggs, beaten
- 1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract
- ½ cup Brown Sugar
- ½ cup Gluten-Free FlourAll-purpose flour1:1Use if gluten tolerance allowsadds gluten
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- ¼ cup Butter, cold, cubed
Instructions
- 1
Preheat oven to 350°F and grease a baking pan
- 2
Combine gluten-free flour, baking soda, and salt in a mixing bowl
- 3
Mix mashed bananas, melted butter, sugar, beaten eggs, and vanilla extract in another bowl
- 4
Combine wet and dry ingredients and pour into prepared baking pan
- 5
Mix brown sugar, gluten-free flour, and cold cubed butter until crumbly for topping
- 6
Sprinkle crumb topping over cake batter
- 7
Bake for 45 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean
- 8
Cool completely before serving
Tips
Use very ripe bananas with brown spots for maximum sweetness and flavor in your cake.
Keep butter cold when making the crumb topping to achieve the best crumbly texture.
Test doneness with a toothpick in multiple spots since banana cakes can have moist pockets.
Good to Know
Store covered at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerate for up to 1 week.
Can be made 1 day ahead. Wrap tightly and store at room temperature.
Serve at room temperature. Pairs well with coffee or tea.
Common Mistakes
Don't overmix the batter to avoid dense cake texture
Ensure butter is cold for crumb topping to prevent melting during mixing
Substitutions
Dairy-Free Swaps
Gluten-Free Swaps
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General Alternatives
FAQ
Can I freeze this banana crumb cake?
Yes, wrap tightly and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature before serving for best texture.
What if I don't have gluten-free flour?
You can substitute with all-purpose flour in equal amounts, though the cake will no longer be gluten-free.
How ripe should the bananas be?
Use very ripe bananas with brown spots for maximum sweetness and easier mashing. Overripe bananas work perfectly.