If you have brown bananas sitting on your counter, this strawberry banana cake needs to happen. Every bite is moist and tender, swirled with strawberry pie filling, and topped with a buttery crumb topping. Perfect for breakfast, brunch, or honestly any time you need a little something sweet!
This banana split coffee cake was first published in May 2015. The photos and text were updated and republished in April 2026.
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I'm a huge fan of banana splits and have been adding those flavors to desserts for years! Two of our favorites are this banana split fluff and a banana split pie.
So the last time we had a few overripe bananas, I decided to make another banana split treat. I gave this banana toffee cake a delicious makeover by adding mini chocolate chips, nuts, and strawberry pie filling. Since then, we have been making this strawberry banana coffee cake on repeat.
Fair warning, though, this cake gets better with time. I've been sneaking bites every time I walk through the kitchen. Someone has to be the chief taste tester, right?
Why You'll Love This Banana Coffee Cake
- Perfect for ripe bananas. The browner they get, the sweeter and more flavorful this cake turns out. Honestly, it's the best excuse to "forget" about them for a few extra days.
- Soft, moist, and so hard to stop eating! The cream cheese baked into the batter is the secret that makes every slice rich and tender.
- Sweet strawberry swirl. Ribbons of pie filling running through the cake give you sweet, fruity bites in every bite. It's so pretty and delicious!
- Crunchy buttery crumb topping. The oat crumble adds the perfect little crunch on top.
- Great anytime! Breakfast, brunch, or dessert? Yes to all of the above. This cake works anytime you need something sweet with your coffee.
If you love easy coffee cake recipes, you might also want to try this cherry coffee cake or this blueberry pecan coffee cake.
Ingredients Needed
This strawberry banana crumb cake comes together with simple pantry staples and a few extra ingredients. Scroll down to the printable recipe card for the exact amounts and full instructions.
- Unsalted Butter and Cream Cheese: The combination of both gives this cake a rich, moist crumb. Make sure both are softened before mixing.
- Brown Sugar and Granulated Sugar: Using both adds sweetness and keeps the cake moist.
- Large Eggs: Help bind everything together and add richness to the batter.
- Bananas: The star of the show! Ripe bananas give this cake its natural sweetness and classic banana flavor. The riper the better here.
- Vanilla Extract: Adds a warm flavor.
- All Purpose Flour: Gives the cake its structure. Make sure to measure correctly by spooning and leveling for the best results.
- Baking Powder and Baking Soda: Using both gives the cake a nice rise and fluffy texture.
- Mini Chocolate Chips: Stirred into the batter for little pockets of chocolate goodness in every bite.
- Nuts: Finely chopped and mixed into the batter for a little crunch and nutty flavor.
- Strawberry Pie Filling: You can use store-bought or try this homemade strawberry pie filling for an even fresher flavor.
- Crumb Topping: Stir together flour, oats, cinnamon, sugar, nuts, and melted butter. Sprinkle the topping over the batter before baking.
- Glaze: Whisk together powdered sugar and water, then drizzle over the cooled cake for a sweet finishing touch.
Fun Variations
How To Make Strawberry Banana Coffee Cake
This easy banana crumb cake comes together in just a few simple steps. Get ready because your kitchen is going to smell amazing!
Make the cake batter. Beat the softened cream cheese, butter, and sugar in a large bowl until creamy. Add the eggs, mashed bananas, and vanilla, and mix again.
Add the dry ingredients. Stir together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Slowly mix the dry ingredients into the butter mixture until just combined. Do not overmix.
Fold in the mix-ins. Gently stir the chocolate chips and chopped nuts into the batter.
Assemble the cake. Spread the batter evenly into a greased 9x13 baking pan. Drop spoonfuls of pie filling onto the batter, then use a knife to gently swirl it. You want pockets of strawberry throughout, so do not over swirl.
Add the crumb topping. Stir the topping ingredients together until the mixture clumps. Sprinkle it evenly over the top of the cake.
Bake and cool. Bake in a preheated oven until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with just a few moist crumbs. Do not overbake!
Add the glaze. Whisk together the powdered sugar and water until smooth. Drizzle over the cooled cake and let it set before slicing and serving.
BruCrew Tips
- Use extra ripe bananas. The more brown spots, the better! Ripe bananas are sweeter, giving the cake a more intense banana flavor.
- Smash the bananas well. Use a fork to mash the bananas before adding them to the batter. A few small lumps are fine, but you want it mostly smooth so it mixes in evenly.
- Do not over-swirl the pie filling. A few gentle passes with a knife are all you need. If you swirl too much, it will mix into the batter instead of leaving big pockets of strawberry flavor.
- Let it cool completely before glazing. If the cake is even slightly warm, the glaze will melt into the topping instead of sitting on top.
- Can I use fresh strawberries instead of pie filling? Fresh berries release moisture as the cake bakes, which can affect the texture. Strawberry pie filling is the best option here because it holds its shape and adds sweetness without extra liquid.
Storing and Freezing
On the Counter: Store the banana strawberry cake in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days.
In the Refrigerator: Place the covered container in the fridge for up to 6 days. Let it come to room temperature before serving for the best texture.
In the Freezer: Wrap individual squares in plastic wrap and place in a freezer bag for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before serving. For best results, freeze without the glaze, then add it after thawing.
Can I make this banana coffee cake ahead of time? Absolutely! This cake actually tastes even better the next day after the flavors have had time to settle. Make it the night before and store it covered on the counter.
More Coffee Cake Recipes
- Apple Butter Coffee Cake
- Cinnamon Roll Pumpkin Cake
- Apple French Toast Casserole
- Sour Cream Coffee Cake
- Cranberry Coffee Cake
Do you love a recipe you tried from Inside BruCrew Life?
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Recipe
Strawberry Banana Cake
If you have brown bananas sitting on your counter, this strawberry banana cake needs to happen. Every bite is moist and tender, swirled with strawberry pie filling, and topped with a buttery crumb topping. Perfect for breakfast, brunch, or honestly any time you need a little something sweet!
Ingredients
For the Cake
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 - 8 ounce package cream cheese, softened
- ¾ cup packed light brown sugar
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup mashed banana (2-3)
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2 ¼ cups all purpose flour
- 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon table salt
- ½ cup mini chocolate chips
- ½ cup finely chopped nuts (walnuts or pecans)
- 1 cup strawberry pie filling
For the Topping
- ¼ cup all purpose flour
- ¼ cup quick oats
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- ¼ cup packed light brown sugar
- ¼ cup finely chopped nuts
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
For the Glaze
- ¾ cup powdered sugar
- 2-3 teaspoons water
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Spray a glass 9x13 pan with nonstick spray.
- Beat the cream cheese, butter, and sugars until creamy. Add the eggs, banana, and vanilla and beat again.
- Stir together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Slowly mix the dry ingredients into the butter mixture until smooth.
- Stir in the chocolate chips and nuts by hand.
- Spread the batter in the prepared pan. Drop the pie filling by spoonfuls onto the batter. Gently swirl the pie filling into the batter using a knife.
- Stir together the crumble topping until you have pea-sized crumbs. Sprinkle the topping over the batter.
- Bake for 42 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with a few moist crumbs. Remove and let cool completely.
- Stir together the glaze ingredients and drizzle over the top. Let it set before serving.
Notes
- Use extra ripe bananas. The more brown spots, the better! Ripe bananas are sweeter, giving the cake a more intense banana flavor.
- Smash the bananas well. Use a fork to mash the bananas before adding them to the batter. A few small lumps are fine, but you want it mostly smooth so it mixes in evenly.
- Do not over-swirl the pie filling. A few gentle passes with a knife are all you need. If you swirl too much, it will mix into the batter instead of leaving big pockets of strawberry flavor.
- Let it cool completely before glazing. If the cake is even slightly warm, the glaze will melt into the topping instead of sitting on top.
- Can I use fresh strawberries instead of pie filling? Fresh berries release moisture as the cake bakes, which can affect the texture. Strawberry pie filling is the best option here because it holds its shape and adds sweetness without extra liquid.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 24 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 346Total Fat: 13gSaturated Fat: 6gUnsaturated Fat: 7gCholesterol: 32mgSodium: 196mgCarbohydrates: 53gFiber: 2gSugar: 29gProtein: 6g
Nutrition facts are an estimate and are not guaranteed to be accurate. If you need special diet advice, please see a registered dietician.
Joyce says
The middle of my cake was raw
Had to turn temperature down and bake another 20 minutes
Gail Norton says
Where's the pineapple? Can I add it in?
Gail Norton says
Can you put whipped cream on top instead of glaze?
Jocelyn says
You sure can. I hope you enjoy it.
Gina DeMarco says
I just came across this recipe and I want to make it, but I don't like cream cheese. Can the cream cheese be omitted? Thank you, and thank you for your recipes!
Jocelyn says
If you leave the cream cheese out it will change the texture and it will not be as moist. I would recommend making this banana cake as the base, and then adding the toppings to it. I hope you enjoy it. https://insidebrucrewlife.com/best-banana-cake/