banana streusel coffee cake

I always buy too many bananas. I'll get the prettiest bunch at the grocery store (always tinged green... I like mine considerably unripe), but inevitably end up with more than necessary.

This past week was no exception. So what is the only acceptable thing to do with brown bananas? (I'm obviously not going to eat them, and throwing them away is wasteful.) Make banana bread. Or you know, something similar.

My search for the perfect banana bread (specifications being that they are low fat, only include ingredients that I actually own,  and have a high taste ranking) led me not to a bread recipe, but one for a banana coffee cake.

Recipe as follows:

Banana Streusel Coffee Cake

1 cup all-purpose flour

1/2 cup whole wheat flour

1/4 cup oats

1/2 cup sugar

1/4 c butter, chilled and cut

1/2 + 1/2 tsp cinnamon, divided

1 1/2 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp soda

1 cup mashed bananas, ripe

2 eggs, beaten

1/4 cup Kahlua (optional)

Combine flours and oats. Measure out 3/4 cup into separate bowl. Add sugar. Cut in the butter and mix.  Set aside 1/2 cup of this crumb mixture to use for topping.  Add remaining crumbs to flour mix, powder, soda, and 1/2 tsp cinnamon.

Beat togther eggs, bananas, and Kahlua.  Combine wet mixture to flour.  Beat well. Pour into greased 8x8 baking dish (or 12-count muffin pan).  Sprinkle reserved butter crumbs and remaining 1/2 tsp cinnamon on top of cake.  Bake at 375 degrees for 30 minutes (20 for muffins).

Best enjoyed with a tall glass of cold milk or some piping hot coffee. Hence the name "coffee cake."

update on heather's oatmeal pancakes!

Confession:  Despite the recommendation to add half a banana to Heather's Oatmeal Pancakes recipe, I had never done this before. Until now. And what a grand mistake it was to not try it!!!!

GO! Go forth now, and make yourself a heaping banana oatmeal pancake. If you add it to the full recipe with 1/2 cups of oats and egg whites (as opposed to 1/4 a cup of each), it makes two whopping cakes of heaven and joy.

Other potential variations:

Like banana nut bread? MIX IN WALNUTS!

Like bananas foster? Smoke your bananas and drizzle pancakes with caramel sauce. Eat next to a fireplace or candle for the customary flame.

Like banana pudding?! Crush in some Nilla wafers and scoop a dollop of meringue on top.

Like bananas and chocolate?! Toss in some chips or chunks. Or swirl on chocolate syrup.

Like strawberry-banana?! Ok, this one might get gross if you try to mix in strawberries. But you could try it!

The possibilities are endless.

Just go stick your Jack Johnson CD in and get to the kitchen!