Easy banana crumb cake is made with ripe bananas topped with crunchy pecans and boxed crumb cake mix for a delicious, crowd pleasing dessert.

From the recipe collection of Tara Ippolito

Easy Banana Crumb Cake is the perfect way to use ripe bananas in a cozy, comforting treat. It’s soft and moist inside with a buttery cinnamon crumb topping and the pecans add just the right amount of crunch. It’s simple to make, smells incredible while baking, and tastes like something straight from a cafe. This is definitely a dessert everyone will want a second slice of.

I’ve tested this recipe to get the perfect balance of moist banana flavor and buttery crumb topping every single time. It uses simple ingredients but delivers a bakery quality texture and taste that other versions just can’t match. One bite and you’ll see why this is the only banana crumb cake recipe you’ll ever need.

Ingredients

• Bananas- The riper they are, the better!
• Vanilla Extract- Brings a warm. Sweet flavor to the bananas.
• Sweetened Condensed Milk- Mixed with the bananas, it brings lots of rich and creamy texture and sweetness.
• Chopped Pecans- For the perfect amount of crunch. Feel free to omit them if you are avoiding nuts.
• Cinnamon Swirl Crumb Cake & Muffin Mix- I use the Krusteaz brand because I feel it’s the best for this recipe. You can use other brands but try to get your hands on this one if you can.
• Salted Butter- Brings out the sweetness of the dessert. Unsalted is ok to use as a substitute.
• Caramel Sauce- This is optional and adds another delicious flavor layer. It is very sweet so if you’re sensitive to sugar, it may be best to omit it.
• Whipped Cream- Love this for a topping option. You can also replace this with some vanilla ice cream.

How To Make It

Preheat the oven to 350°

First, in a large bowl, mash the bananas but be sure to leave a few chunks for texture. Don’t puree it. Add the vanilla extract and sweetened condensed milk. Stir them together and add the mixture to a greased 9 x 13” baking dish.

Now, top the banana mixture with chopped pecans. Evenly sprinkle the cake mix on top.

Then, take the brown sugar packet (included in the crumb cake box) and sprinkle that on top of the cake mix. Pour the melted butter on top as evenly as you can. Try to get all the cake mix moist.

Next, place it into the center rack of the oven for 45-50 minutes. Let it cool slightly and drizzle the top with the caramel sauce (optional).

Finally, serve with whipped cream (optional) and enjoy!

Pro Tips

• Bananas- If your bananas look like they’re on their way out, they’re the best ones to use. The darker the better for this recipe.
• Oven Placement- Bake this in the center rack of the oven for even heat distribution.
• Cake Mix- Really be sure to distribute the butter onto the cake mix as evenly as possible. This will help to avoid dry spots and help bake it evenly.

Storage

Let the crumb cake cool completely. Place it into an air tight container and into the refrigerator for 3-4 days. It can also be frozen for up to 2 months.

Featured Products

Shop the products featured in this recipe tutorial on my Amazon Store.

• Mixing Bowls- These glass mixing bowls come with lids and are great for preparing dishes like this one.
• Storage Containers- These are my favorite! They’re BPA Free and come with air tight lids.
• Krusteaz Cinnamon Swirl Crumb Cake and Muffin Mix- If you’re having trouble fining the cake mix, you can get it HERE for under $3.

Other Easy Desserts

If you like super easy to make desserts like this one, you have to try my Chocolate Earthquake Cake, Chocolate Raspberry Crumb Cake and Chessman Banana Pudding.