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Banana Snack Cake with Chocolate Chips & Crumble Topping

April 17, 2026 by Gina +

There is something so satisfying about turning a few overripe bananas into a recipe everyone gets excited about. And while banana bread will always have its place, this banana snack cake feels a little more fun, a little more bakery-style, and honestly even easier to slice, serve, and snack on throughout the week.

This cake is soft, moist, packed with banana flavor, and topped with a buttery cinnamon crumble that takes it over the top. I love it as an afternoon snack with coffee, packed in lunches, or warmed up for dessert. If you have three ripe bananas sitting on the counter, this is the recipe to make next.

Why Youโ€™ll Love This Banana Snack Cake

  • Uses 3 very ripe bananas
  • Softer and fluffier than banana bread
  • Easy one-bowl style recipe
  • Perfect for snacks, dessert, or breakfast
  • Family-friendly and freezer friendly
  • Crumble topping + chocolate chips = so good

Ingredients

For the Banana Snack Cake

  • 3 very ripe bananas, mashed
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt or sour cream
  • 1/3 cup melted butter or neutral oil
  • 1/2 cup brown sugar
  • 1/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 3/4 cup mini chocolate chips

For the Crumble Topping

  • 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1/3 cup brown sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 4 tablespoons melted butter
  • Pinch of salt

Main Ingredient Breakdown

Bananas

The star of the recipe. Very ripe bananas bring natural sweetness, moisture, and the best banana flavor.

Greek Yogurt

Adds richness and moisture while keeping the cake tender. Sour cream also works well.

Chocolate Chips

Mini chocolate chips give you chocolate in every bite without overpowering the banana flavor.

Crumble Topping

A simple mix that bakes into a sweet buttery layer with the perfect little crunch.

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 350ยฐF. Grease and line an 8×8 baking pan with parchment paper.
  2. In a small bowl, combine the crumble topping ingredients until sandy clumps form. Set aside.
  3. In a large bowl, whisk together the mashed bananas, eggs, Greek yogurt, melted butter, brown sugar, granulated sugar, and vanilla until smooth.
  4. Add the flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon. Stir until just combined. Do not overmix.
  5. Fold in the mini chocolate chips.
  6. Spread the batter into the prepared pan. Sprinkle the crumble topping evenly over the top.
  7. Bake for 35 to 45 minutes, or until the center is set and a toothpick inserted comes out mostly clean.
  8. Let cool before slicing and serving.

Tips for the Best Banana Snack Cake

  • Use bananas with lots of brown spots for the sweetest flavor.
  • Do not overmix the batter or the cake can become dense.
  • Tent loosely with foil near the end if the top browns too quickly.
  • Let it cool before slicing so the texture sets properly.
  • Warm leftovers for 10 seconds in the microwave for an extra cozy treat.

FAQ

Can I make this without chocolate chips?

Yes. You can leave them out or swap for chopped nuts.

Can I freeze the banana snack cake?

Absolutely. Slice first, wrap well, and freeze for up to 2 months.

Can I use whole wheat flour?

You can substitute part of the flour, but all-purpose gives the softest texture.

How should I store it?

Store covered at room temperature for 2 days or in the fridge for up to 5 days.

Can I make this in a loaf pan?

Yes, but the bake time will be longer and the texture will be more like banana bread.


You might also like:

Easy Cinnamon Banana Bread Recipe Chocolate Dipped Peanut Butter Banana Bites Frozen Sโ€™mores Bars: A Cool Twist on a Classic Treat Pumpking Streusal Muffins – A Perfect Fall Treat

Filed Under: Breakfast, Desserts, Recipes, Snacks Tagged With: banana, cake, chocolate chips, snack

FROZEN BISCOFF ICE CREAM BARS ๐ŸคŽ๐Ÿฆ No ice cream mak FROZEN BISCOFF ICE CREAM BARS ๐ŸคŽ๐Ÿฆ

No ice cream maker needed! These are layers of Biscoff cookies filled with the creamiest homemade no-churn Biscoff ice cream and an extra swirl of cookie butter through the center.

Easy to make and perfect for summer

Comment ICE CREAM and Iโ€™ll send you the full recipe!

Save this for an easy summer dessert and follow @gina_gibson_cooks for more simple, family-friendly recipes.
Just out here doing my little tasks and calling it Just out here doing my little tasks and calling it a day.
Peruvian-style chicken with creamy green sauce T Peruvian-style chicken with creamy green sauce 

The chicken is smoky, garlicky and grilled until juicy, but the creamy cilantro green sauce is what really makes this recipe. I could put it on just about everything.

I kept the heat family-friendly by using just one seeded jalapeรฑo, but you can always leave some of the seeds in or add another jalapeรฑo if you like things spicy. Serve it with rice, grilled corn, potatoes or veggies for an easy summer dinner the whole family will love.

For the chicken:

2 lbs boneless skinless chicken breasts
2 tbsp olive oil
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 tbsp fresh lime juice
1 tbsp white vinegar
2 tsp smoked paprika
1 tsp ground cumin
1 tsp dried oregano
1 tsp onion powder
1 tsp kosher salt
ยฝ tsp black pepper

For the creamy green sauce:

1 packed cup fresh cilantro
1/3 cup mayonnaise
1/4 cup plain Greek yogurt
1 small jalapeรฑo, seeds removed
1 garlic clove
Juice of 2 limes
2 tbsp grated parmesan
1 tbsp olive oil
1 tsp honey
ยฝ tsp kosher salt
ยผ tsp black pepper

Whisk together the olive oil, garlic, lime juice, vinegar and seasonings. Add the chicken and toss until well coated. Marinate for at least 30 minutes or up to 8 hours.

Add all of the green sauce ingredients to a blender or food processor and blend until smooth and creamy. Taste and add another squeeze of lime or pinch of salt if needed. Refrigerate until ready to serve.

Grill the chicken over medium-high heat for about 5โ€“7 minutes per side, depending on thickness, until cooked through to 165ยฐF. Let rest for 5 minutes, then slice and drizzle generously with the creamy green sauce.

Serve with rice, grilled corn, avocado, roasted potatoes or your favorite veggiesโ€”and definitely keep extra green sauce on the side.

Save this easy chicken dinner for later, share it with someone who needs new weeknight dinner ideas, and follow @gina_gibson_cooks for more easy, family-friendly recipes! ๐ŸŒฟ
CHEESY BIRRIA RAMEN Rich and cheesy, perfect com CHEESY BIRRIA RAMEN

Rich and cheesy, perfect  comfort food mashup I. 

I used our favorite @momofukugoods noodles, Trader Joeโ€™s birria, and plenty of cheese. The birria consommรฉ gets mixed right into the creamy cheese sauce, so you get that birria flavor in every bite. Finish it with onion, cilantro and plenty of lime. 

3 packages Momofuku noodles
1 package Trader Joeโ€™s Beef Birria, cooked and shredded (reserve ยฝ cup consommรฉ)
1 tablespoon butter
2 cloves garlic, minced
4 ounces cream cheese
ยพ cup milk
1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
1 cup shredded Oaxaca cheese or mozzarella
1 ramen seasoning packet
ยผ teaspoon cumin
Diced white onion, chopped cilantro, and lime wedges for serving

Cook the ramen noodles, then drain and set aside.

Melt the butter in the pan over medium heat. Add the garlic and cook for about 30 seconds.

Add the cream cheese, milk, ยฝ cup birria consommรฉ, ramen seasoning, and cumin. Stir until smooth and creamy.

Reduce the heat to low and add the Monterey Jack mozarella cheese. Stir until melted.

Add the cooked ramen noodles and shredded birria beef and toss until everything is coated in the cheesy birria sauce. Add another splash of consommรฉ if needed to loosen it up.

Top with diced onion, cilantro, a squeeze of lime, and extra consommรฉ if you like.

Make sure to SAVE this one and FOLLOW along for more recipes ๐Ÿ™ƒ
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I kept this backyard dinner simple with crispy chicken sandwiches that were a HUGE hit! I lightly coated chicken tenders in @lafishyfry Louisiana Fish Fry Brand Seasoned Chicken Fry, fried them until perfectly golden, then piled them onto toasted buns with sliced cheddar and peppery arugula tossed in @Tessemaes Spicy Dill dressing. So simple, so good.
To round out the spread, I set out @powerupsnacks Power Up Premium Trail Mix for an easy snack, @sourpunchcandy Sour Punch Bites for a sweet treat, and served everything on @SOLOcup cups and plates, which made cleanup so easy.
#Tessemaes #LAFishFry #SOLOBoldHold #SourPunchXBabbleBox #PowerUp
No-bake peanut butter pie. Creamy peanut butter No-bake peanut butter pie. 

Creamy peanut butter filling, a chocolate cookie crust, and absolutely no oven required. 

For the crust:
16 Oreo-style cookies
4 tablespoons melted butter

For the filling:
6 ounces cream cheese, softened
1 cup creamy peanut butter
โ…“ cup powdered sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Pinch of salt
6 ounces Cool Whip, thawed

Optional toppings:
Melted chocolate, crushed Oreo cookies, chopped peanut butter cups, or chopped peanuts.

Pulse the cookies into fine crumbs and mix with the melted butter. Press into a small pie dish and refrigerate while you make the filling.

Beat the cream cheese until smooth. Add the peanut butter, powdered sugar, vanilla, and salt and beat until light and creamy. Gently fold in the Cool Whip until everything is combined.

Spread the filling into the crust, smooth the top, and refrigerate for at least 6 hours, or overnight for the best texture.

Before serving, drizzle with melted chocolate and sprinkle with crushed Oreo cookies if youโ€™d like.

Save this one for your next summer get-together!
FROZEN BISCOFF ICE CREAM BARS ๐ŸคŽ๐Ÿฆ No ice cream mak FROZEN BISCOFF ICE CREAM BARS ๐ŸคŽ๐Ÿฆ

No ice cream maker needed! These are layers of Biscoff cookies filled with the creamiest homemade no-churn Biscoff ice cream and an extra swirl of cookie butter through the center.

Easy to make and perfect for summer

Comment ICE CREAM and Iโ€™ll send you the full recipe!

Save this for an easy summer dessert and follow @gina_gibson_cooks for more simple, family-friendly recipes.
Just out here doing my little tasks and calling it Just out here doing my little tasks and calling it a day.
Peruvian-style chicken with creamy green sauce T Peruvian-style chicken with creamy green sauce 

The chicken is smoky, garlicky and grilled until juicy, but the creamy cilantro green sauce is what really makes this recipe. I could put it on just about everything.

I kept the heat family-friendly by using just one seeded jalapeรฑo, but you can always leave some of the seeds in or add another jalapeรฑo if you like things spicy. Serve it with rice, grilled corn, potatoes or veggies for an easy summer dinner the whole family will love.

For the chicken:

2 lbs boneless skinless chicken breasts
2 tbsp olive oil
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 tbsp fresh lime juice
1 tbsp white vinegar
2 tsp smoked paprika
1 tsp ground cumin
1 tsp dried oregano
1 tsp onion powder
1 tsp kosher salt
ยฝ tsp black pepper

For the creamy green sauce:

1 packed cup fresh cilantro
1/3 cup mayonnaise
1/4 cup plain Greek yogurt
1 small jalapeรฑo, seeds removed
1 garlic clove
Juice of 2 limes
2 tbsp grated parmesan
1 tbsp olive oil
1 tsp honey
ยฝ tsp kosher salt
ยผ tsp black pepper

Whisk together the olive oil, garlic, lime juice, vinegar and seasonings. Add the chicken and toss until well coated. Marinate for at least 30 minutes or up to 8 hours.

Add all of the green sauce ingredients to a blender or food processor and blend until smooth and creamy. Taste and add another squeeze of lime or pinch of salt if needed. Refrigerate until ready to serve.

Grill the chicken over medium-high heat for about 5โ€“7 minutes per side, depending on thickness, until cooked through to 165ยฐF. Let rest for 5 minutes, then slice and drizzle generously with the creamy green sauce.

Serve with rice, grilled corn, avocado, roasted potatoes or your favorite veggiesโ€”and definitely keep extra green sauce on the side.

Save this easy chicken dinner for later, share it with someone who needs new weeknight dinner ideas, and follow @gina_gibson_cooks for more easy, family-friendly recipes! ๐ŸŒฟ
CHEESY BIRRIA RAMEN Rich and cheesy, perfect com CHEESY BIRRIA RAMEN

Rich and cheesy, perfect  comfort food mashup I. 

I used our favorite @momofukugoods noodles, Trader Joeโ€™s birria, and plenty of cheese. The birria consommรฉ gets mixed right into the creamy cheese sauce, so you get that birria flavor in every bite. Finish it with onion, cilantro and plenty of lime. 

3 packages Momofuku noodles
1 package Trader Joeโ€™s Beef Birria, cooked and shredded (reserve ยฝ cup consommรฉ)
1 tablespoon butter
2 cloves garlic, minced
4 ounces cream cheese
ยพ cup milk
1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
1 cup shredded Oaxaca cheese or mozzarella
1 ramen seasoning packet
ยผ teaspoon cumin
Diced white onion, chopped cilantro, and lime wedges for serving

Cook the ramen noodles, then drain and set aside.

Melt the butter in the pan over medium heat. Add the garlic and cook for about 30 seconds.

Add the cream cheese, milk, ยฝ cup birria consommรฉ, ramen seasoning, and cumin. Stir until smooth and creamy.

Reduce the heat to low and add the Monterey Jack mozarella cheese. Stir until melted.

Add the cooked ramen noodles and shredded birria beef and toss until everything is coated in the cheesy birria sauce. Add another splash of consommรฉ if needed to loosen it up.

Top with diced onion, cilantro, a squeeze of lime, and extra consommรฉ if you like.

Make sure to SAVE this one and FOLLOW along for more recipes ๐Ÿ™ƒ
Summer hosting doesnโ€™t have to be complicated. I Summer hosting doesnโ€™t have to be complicated. 
I kept this backyard dinner simple with crispy chicken sandwiches that were a HUGE hit! I lightly coated chicken tenders in @lafishyfry Louisiana Fish Fry Brand Seasoned Chicken Fry, fried them until perfectly golden, then piled them onto toasted buns with sliced cheddar and peppery arugula tossed in @Tessemaes Spicy Dill dressing. So simple, so good.
To round out the spread, I set out @powerupsnacks Power Up Premium Trail Mix for an easy snack, @sourpunchcandy Sour Punch Bites for a sweet treat, and served everything on @SOLOcup cups and plates, which made cleanup so easy.
#Tessemaes #LAFishFry #SOLOBoldHold #SourPunchXBabbleBox #PowerUp
No-bake peanut butter pie. Creamy peanut butter No-bake peanut butter pie. 

Creamy peanut butter filling, a chocolate cookie crust, and absolutely no oven required. 

For the crust:
16 Oreo-style cookies
4 tablespoons melted butter

For the filling:
6 ounces cream cheese, softened
1 cup creamy peanut butter
โ…“ cup powdered sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Pinch of salt
6 ounces Cool Whip, thawed

Optional toppings:
Melted chocolate, crushed Oreo cookies, chopped peanut butter cups, or chopped peanuts.

Pulse the cookies into fine crumbs and mix with the melted butter. Press into a small pie dish and refrigerate while you make the filling.

Beat the cream cheese until smooth. Add the peanut butter, powdered sugar, vanilla, and salt and beat until light and creamy. Gently fold in the Cool Whip until everything is combined.

Spread the filling into the crust, smooth the top, and refrigerate for at least 6 hours, or overnight for the best texture.

Before serving, drizzle with melted chocolate and sprinkle with crushed Oreo cookies if youโ€™d like.

Save this one for your next summer get-together!
FROZEN BISCOFF ICE CREAM BARS ๐ŸคŽ๐Ÿฆ No ice cream mak FROZEN BISCOFF ICE CREAM BARS ๐ŸคŽ๐Ÿฆ

No ice cream maker needed! These are layers of Biscoff cookies filled with the creamiest homemade no-churn Biscoff ice cream and an extra swirl of cookie butter through the center.

Easy to make and perfect for summer

Comment ICE CREAM and Iโ€™ll send you the full recipe!

Save this for an easy summer dessert and follow @gina_gibson_cooks for more simple, family-friendly recipes.
Just out here doing my little tasks and calling it Just out here doing my little tasks and calling it a day.
Peruvian-style chicken with creamy green sauce T Peruvian-style chicken with creamy green sauce 

The chicken is smoky, garlicky and grilled until juicy, but the creamy cilantro green sauce is what really makes this recipe. I could put it on just about everything.

I kept the heat family-friendly by using just one seeded jalapeรฑo, but you can always leave some of the seeds in or add another jalapeรฑo if you like things spicy. Serve it with rice, grilled corn, potatoes or veggies for an easy summer dinner the whole family will love.

For the chicken:

2 lbs boneless skinless chicken breasts
2 tbsp olive oil
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 tbsp fresh lime juice
1 tbsp white vinegar
2 tsp smoked paprika
1 tsp ground cumin
1 tsp dried oregano
1 tsp onion powder
1 tsp kosher salt
ยฝ tsp black pepper

For the creamy green sauce:

1 packed cup fresh cilantro
1/3 cup mayonnaise
1/4 cup plain Greek yogurt
1 small jalapeรฑo, seeds removed
1 garlic clove
Juice of 2 limes
2 tbsp grated parmesan
1 tbsp olive oil
1 tsp honey
ยฝ tsp kosher salt
ยผ tsp black pepper

Whisk together the olive oil, garlic, lime juice, vinegar and seasonings. Add the chicken and toss until well coated. Marinate for at least 30 minutes or up to 8 hours.

Add all of the green sauce ingredients to a blender or food processor and blend until smooth and creamy. Taste and add another squeeze of lime or pinch of salt if needed. Refrigerate until ready to serve.

Grill the chicken over medium-high heat for about 5โ€“7 minutes per side, depending on thickness, until cooked through to 165ยฐF. Let rest for 5 minutes, then slice and drizzle generously with the creamy green sauce.

Serve with rice, grilled corn, avocado, roasted potatoes or your favorite veggiesโ€”and definitely keep extra green sauce on the side.

Save this easy chicken dinner for later, share it with someone who needs new weeknight dinner ideas, and follow @gina_gibson_cooks for more easy, family-friendly recipes! ๐ŸŒฟ
CHEESY BIRRIA RAMEN Rich and cheesy, perfect com CHEESY BIRRIA RAMEN

Rich and cheesy, perfect  comfort food mashup I. 

I used our favorite @momofukugoods noodles, Trader Joeโ€™s birria, and plenty of cheese. The birria consommรฉ gets mixed right into the creamy cheese sauce, so you get that birria flavor in every bite. Finish it with onion, cilantro and plenty of lime. 

3 packages Momofuku noodles
1 package Trader Joeโ€™s Beef Birria, cooked and shredded (reserve ยฝ cup consommรฉ)
1 tablespoon butter
2 cloves garlic, minced
4 ounces cream cheese
ยพ cup milk
1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
1 cup shredded Oaxaca cheese or mozzarella
1 ramen seasoning packet
ยผ teaspoon cumin
Diced white onion, chopped cilantro, and lime wedges for serving

Cook the ramen noodles, then drain and set aside.

Melt the butter in the pan over medium heat. Add the garlic and cook for about 30 seconds.

Add the cream cheese, milk, ยฝ cup birria consommรฉ, ramen seasoning, and cumin. Stir until smooth and creamy.

Reduce the heat to low and add the Monterey Jack mozarella cheese. Stir until melted.

Add the cooked ramen noodles and shredded birria beef and toss until everything is coated in the cheesy birria sauce. Add another splash of consommรฉ if needed to loosen it up.

Top with diced onion, cilantro, a squeeze of lime, and extra consommรฉ if you like.

Make sure to SAVE this one and FOLLOW along for more recipes ๐Ÿ™ƒ
Summer hosting doesnโ€™t have to be complicated. I Summer hosting doesnโ€™t have to be complicated. 
I kept this backyard dinner simple with crispy chicken sandwiches that were a HUGE hit! I lightly coated chicken tenders in @lafishyfry Louisiana Fish Fry Brand Seasoned Chicken Fry, fried them until perfectly golden, then piled them onto toasted buns with sliced cheddar and peppery arugula tossed in @Tessemaes Spicy Dill dressing. So simple, so good.
To round out the spread, I set out @powerupsnacks Power Up Premium Trail Mix for an easy snack, @sourpunchcandy Sour Punch Bites for a sweet treat, and served everything on @SOLOcup cups and plates, which made cleanup so easy.
#Tessemaes #LAFishFry #SOLOBoldHold #SourPunchXBabbleBox #PowerUp
No-bake peanut butter pie. Creamy peanut butter No-bake peanut butter pie. 

Creamy peanut butter filling, a chocolate cookie crust, and absolutely no oven required. 

For the crust:
16 Oreo-style cookies
4 tablespoons melted butter

For the filling:
6 ounces cream cheese, softened
1 cup creamy peanut butter
โ…“ cup powdered sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Pinch of salt
6 ounces Cool Whip, thawed

Optional toppings:
Melted chocolate, crushed Oreo cookies, chopped peanut butter cups, or chopped peanuts.

Pulse the cookies into fine crumbs and mix with the melted butter. Press into a small pie dish and refrigerate while you make the filling.

Beat the cream cheese until smooth. Add the peanut butter, powdered sugar, vanilla, and salt and beat until light and creamy. Gently fold in the Cool Whip until everything is combined.

Spread the filling into the crust, smooth the top, and refrigerate for at least 6 hours, or overnight for the best texture.

Before serving, drizzle with melted chocolate and sprinkle with crushed Oreo cookies if youโ€™d like.

Save this one for your next summer get-together!

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