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Salted caramel banana bread topped with a rich cocoa streusel.

Salted Carmel Banana Bread with Chocolate Streusel Topping

Decadent banana bread swirled with salted caramel and topped with a crunchy cocoa streusel crumb. Moist, sweet, and perfectly balanced — this bakery-style loaf is your new favorite cozy bake!
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 55 minutes
Resting Time 10 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 20 minutes
Servings: 10
Course: Breakfast, Dessert, Side Dish
Cuisine: American
Calories: 350

Ingredients
  

For the bread:
  • 3 ripe bananas about 1 ¼ cups mashed
  • ½ cup unsalted butter melted
  • ½ cup packed dark brown sugar
  • ¼ cup granulated sugar
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • ½ teaspoon baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ⅓ cup sour cream or Greek yogurt
  • ⅓ cup thick caramel sauce store-bought or homemade
For the cocoa streusel topping:
  • ¼ cup flour
  • ¼ cup brown sugar
  • 2 tablespoons cocoa powder
  • 3 tablespoons cold butter cut into pieces
  • Pinch of flaky sea salt

Equipment

  • Whisk
  • Bowl
  • Bread Pan

Method
 

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease or line a loaf pan.
  2. Combine flour, brown sugar, cocoa, and salt. Cut in butter until crumbly; chill.
  3. In a large bowl, whisk bananas, butter, sugars, eggs, and vanilla.
  4. Stir in caramel sauce and sour cream.
  5. Whisk flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt separately. Add to wet ingredients and fold gently.
  6. Pour half the batter into the pan; drizzle caramel if desired. Add remaining batter.
  7. Sprinkle cocoa streusel over top.
  8. Bake 55–65 minutes, until a toothpick comes out clean.
  9. Cool 10 minutes, then move to a rack.
  10. Optional: drizzle with more caramel and sprinkle flaky sea salt before serving.

Notes

  • Bananas: Use very ripe bananas (spotty or almost black) for the best flavor and moisture. Mashing them thoroughly is key.
  • Sugars: The combination of dark brown sugar and granulated sugar contributes to the moisture, flavor (molasses from the dark brown sugar), and tender texture.
  • Fat: Ensure the cup of unsalted butter is fully melted before mixing with the wet ingredients.
  • Dairy: Sour cream or Greek yogurt provides richness and moisture. If using Greek yogurt, use full-fat for better texture.
  • Caramel Sauce: Use a thick, good quality caramel sauce. A thinner sauce might sink more in the batter. If using homemade, ensure it's cooled slightly. The cup for the batter is crucial; the extra drizzle is optional.