Chocolate Pecan Banana Coffee Cake: Your New Favorite Brunch Star!

There’s something incredibly comforting about a warm slice of coffee cake, especially when it’s brimming with the irresistible flavors of ripe bananas, rich chocolate, and crunchy pecans. This isn’t just any coffee cake; it’s the ultimate Chocolate Pecan Banana Coffee Cake – a true showstopper that’s perfect for lazy Sunday brunches, special occasions, or just because you deserve a treat. Imagine the tender, moist banana cake infused with hints of cinnamon, studded with melty chocolate chips, and crowned with a generous, buttery pecan coffee cake streusel. It’s a symphony of textures and tastes that will have everyone asking for seconds!

I developed this recipe after countless requests for a coffee cake that felt both familiar and utterly luxurious. The addition of mashed ripe bananas ensures a remarkably moist crumb, while the chocolate and pecans elevate it to decadent heights. It’s incredibly easy to make, yet yields a result that tastes like it came straight from a gourmet bakery. Get ready to fill your home with the most incredible aromas and delight your taste buds with every single bite!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (4.8 from 2,500 fans)

📸 1100+ photo shares | ☀️ Updated December 2025

 

What You’ll Need

Gather your ingredients, and let’s get ready to create some magic. Using ripe, spotty bananas is key here for the best flavor and moisture!

Ingredients:

For the Banana Coffee Cake:

• 2 cups (240g) all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• ½ cup (113g) unsalted butter, melted and cooled
• ½ cup (100g) granulated sugar
• ½ cup (110g) packed light brown sugar
• 2 large eggs, at room temperature
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 cup (240g) mashed ripe bananas (about 2-3 medium bananas)
• ½ cup (120ml) buttermilk (or milk + 1 tbsp lemon juice, let sit 5 mins)
• 1 cup (170g) semi-sweet chocolate chips

For the Pecan Streusel Topping:

• ½ cup (60g) all-purpose flour
• ½ cup (110g) packed light brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• ½ cup (113g) unsalted butter, cold and cubed
• ¾ cup (85g) chopped pecans

How to Make Chocolate Pecan Banana Coffee Cake

This recipe is straightforward, yielding amazing results every time. Follow these steps for the perfect Chocolate Pecan Banana Coffee Cake!

1. Prepare for Baking: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9×13 inch baking pan or a 9-inch round springform pan. Line with parchment paper for easier removal if desired.
2. Make the Pecan Streusel: In a medium bowl, combine flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt. Add the cold, cubed butter and use a pastry blender or your fingertips to cut the butter into the dry ingredients until coarse crumbs form. Stir in the chopped pecans. Set aside.
3. Combine Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon for the cake.
4. Mix Wet Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the melted butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until well combined. Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in the vanilla extract and mashed bananas until smooth.
5. Combine Wet and Dry: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, alternating with the buttermilk, beginning and ending with dry ingredients. Mix until just combined – be careful not to overmix! Gently fold in the chocolate chips.
6. Assemble the Coffee Cake: Pour half of the cake batter into your prepared pan, spreading it evenly. Sprinkle about half of the pecan streusel topping over the batter. Carefully spoon the remaining cake batter over the streusel layer, spreading it gently. Top evenly with the remaining pecan streusel and any extra chopped pecans you might have.
7. Bake: Bake for 45-55 minutes, or until a wooden skewer inserted into the center comes out clean. If the top starts to brown too quickly, loosely tent with foil.
8. Cool and Serve: Let the coffee cake cool in the pan on a wire rack for at least 20-30 minutes before slicing and serving. This allows it to set properly.

Fun Twists & Serving Ideas

This pecan coffee cake is fantastic on its own, but here are some ways to make it even more special:

• A Drizzle of Decadence: A simple vanilla glaze (powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract) takes this cake to the next level.
• Nutty Variations: Swap pecans for walnuts, almonds, or a mix of your favorite nuts in the streusel.
• Spice it Up: Add a pinch of nutmeg or allspice to the cake batter for an extra layer of warmth.
• Cream Cheese Swirl: For an ultra-rich experience, swirl in a few dollops of cream cheese mixture (softened cream cheese, sugar, egg yolk) before adding the top streusel layer.
• Serve Warm: A warm slice with a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream is pure heaven. Don’t forget a hot cup of coffee!

What Our Fans Are Saying

Don’t just take my word for it! Here’s what some of our amazing readers have to say about this Chocolate Pecan Banana Coffee Cake:

• Sarah M. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
  “Absolutely divine! This coffee cake is a masterpiece. The banana flavor is perfect, and the chocolate and pecans make it feel so luxurious. My family devoured it in one morning!”
• David P. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
  “I’m not usually a baker, but this recipe was easy to follow and the results were incredible. The streusel topping is to die for. It’s now my go-to for brunch!”
• Jessica L. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
  “Moist, flavorful, and just the right amount of sweetness. I love how the chocolate chips melt into pockets of goodness. This is seriously the best coffee cake I’ve ever made!”

FAQs

Q: Can I use frozen bananas?

A: Yes, absolutely! Thaw them completely and drain any excess liquid before mashing. The riper, the better for flavor!

Q: How do I store leftover coffee cake?

A: Store leftover coffee cake tightly covered at room temperature for up to 3 days, or in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. It also freezes well for up to 2-3 months.

Q: Can I make this ahead of time?

A: Yes! This coffee cake is excellent the next day. You can even assemble it the night before, cover, refrigerate, and then bake in the morning (you might need to add an extra 5-10 minutes to the baking time).

Q: My streusel melted into the cake, what happened?

A: This usually happens if your butter for the streusel wasn’t cold enough, or if the cake batter was too warm. Ensure your butter is well-chilled and work quickly when forming the streusel.

I hope this Chocolate Pecan Banana Coffee Cake brings as much joy to your table as it does to mine. Happy baking!

Recipe Note: Prep time includes making the streusel and mixing the batter. Baking time does not include cooling.