How To Make a Banana Beer Cake with Streusel
This recipe is part of our ongoing collaboration with our sister blog, Whisk & Wunder — where you’ll also find cozy, bilingual baking inspiration in both English and German. ✨
🇩🇪 In Zusammenarbeit mit Whisk & Wunder – Rezept auf Englisch und Deutsch verfügbar. 🇩🇪
Little bit of this, Little bit of that…
There’s something deeply satisfying about taking a few nearly-forgotten ingredients from the fridge, throwing them together, and somehow landing on a recipe that tastes like you planned it weeks in advance. This Banana Beer Cake started exactly like that: Thomas was on his way home from work and I spotted some left over bananas from the week before. I thought I would whip up a loaf but we didn’t have a loaf pan in this apartment yet (we are away for work again, shocker!), but we always have a spring form so I landed on doing a streusel cake!
We are a couple days into a busy work stretch up north and I wanted to bake something for lunches and a little dessert. Thomas came home with a case of my favorite winter ale (The Chestnut Ale from Whistler Brewing– not a sponsor but I wish it was! Have you tried their Winter Dunkel? because omg!), and my batter was looking a little too thick so I tossed a quarter cup of my beer into it. And somehow? It was perfect. Moist, lightly malty, warmly spiced if you add cinnamon, and topped with a crunchy streusel that honestly steals the spotlight.
Speaking of streusel, this one has Reese’s cereal in it, yours doesn’t need to but the sugary kick from the cereal mixed with the depth of the beer made this just incredible.
If you love banana bread but want something a little richer, deeper, and more brunch-friendly… this is your next bake.
Is This Budget-Friendly?
Absolutely. Groceries aren’t getting cheaper, and I’ve been leaning heavily into “use what I already have” cooking. This cake truly checked every box: the bananas were seconds away from retirement, the beer was a little late night treat, and that little handful of cereal was just begging for redemption. And when something turns out this good from a fridge-clearout moment? You keep it in the rotation forever. The base recipe is incredibly economical — it uses pantry staples, a single egg, one banana’s worth of sweetness, and just ¼ cup of beer, which means you can enjoy the rest of the bottle while it bakes.
The streusel is flexible, too. Reese’s Puffs are optional, and you can swap in:
- Choco Krispies
- Rice Krispies
- Kellogg’s Tresor (Choco or Choco-Nuss)
- Honey Nut Cornflakes
- Any crunchy chocolate or nut granola
- Even Erdnussflips for a salty-sweet peanut note (Germany!)
This recipe is friendly to whatever cereal or crunchy bits you already have in the cupboard. If you don’t have this cereal don’t feel you NEED it for this recipe. Use what you have!
Why You’ll Love It
This Banana Beer Cake deserves its moment, and here’s why:
- Moist, soft, and tender with a subtle malt flavor
- Uses only ¼ cup of beer — perfect for if you want to have a beer to sip on.
- Streusel topping that stays crisp, thanks to a quick freeze
- Not overly sweet, making it great for with coffee, lunch, or dessert!
- Banana + stout = wildly good combo
- Customizable crunch topping with easy cereal swaps
- Faster than banana bread (and tastes better day two!)
Loved this recipe? Definitely check these ones out!
👉 Pumpkin Streusel Muffins
Soft, spiced, and topped with an irresistible crunchy streusel — these muffins are basically autumn in handheld form. Perfect for breakfast, snacking, or freezing for later.
Link: https://tastycue.com/pumpkin-streusel-muffins/
👉 Caramel Pecan Pumpkin Cake
A warm, decadent fall cake topped with gooey caramel and toasted pecans. If you love cozy bakes with deep flavor (and minimal effort), this one’s a must-make.
Link: https://tastycue.com/caramel-pecan-pumpkin-cake-recipe/
👉 Apple Spiced Cake
Super soft, gently spiced, and filled with fresh apple flavor — this cake tastes like a cross between an apple fritter and a warm fall hug. Great for brunch, snacks, or gifting.
Link: https://tastycue.com/apple-spiced-cake-recipe/
Pin Me!
Pin this Banana Beer Cake to your favorite baking board so it’s easy to find the next time you’ve got a couple of ripe bananas and a single leftover beer in the fridge. 🍌🍺
And if you enjoy cozy brunch ideas, make sure you’re on our email list — we send new recipes every week!
Ingredients
For the Banana Beer Cake
- ¼ cup butter, softened
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- ¼ cup white sugar
- 2 ripe bananas, mashed
- 1 egg
- 2 heaping tbsp sour cream
- ¼ cup beer (see list below)
- 1 cup flour
- ¾ tsp baking powder
- ¼ tsp baking soda
- Pinch of salt
- Optional: ½ tsp cinnamon
For the Reese Crunch Streusel
- ¼ cup butter (cold, cubed)
- ½ cup flour
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- ½ cup Reese’s Puffs, crushed
(Optional — see swaps below)
Good Beer Options
The best beers for baking are malty, smooth, and not overly bitter. Try:
- Whistler Brewing Chestnut Ale (This is the one I used!)
- Any dark ale
- Guinness
- Peanut Butter Porter
- Chocolate Stout
Cereal Swaps (If Reese’s Puffs Aren’t Available)
- Kellogg’s Tresor (Choco or Choco-Nuss)
- Choco Krispies
- Rice Krispies
- Honey Nut Cornflakes
- Chocolate or nut granola
- Erdnussflips (lightly crushed) — yes, seriously!
Directions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line your spring form with parchment paper.
- Cream the butter and both sugars until light and fluffy.
- Beat in the mashed bananas, egg, sour cream, and beer.
- Add the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and optional cinnamon. Stir until just combined.
- Make the streusel: mix the butter, flour, and brown sugar with your fingertips until crumbly.
- Freeze the streusel for 10 minutes — this helps it stay crisp on top.
- Crush the cereal or prep how you want, for reese pufs I liked the crushed some stayed whole.
- Pour the cake batter into the pan, top with streusel. Then sprinkle on the cereal.
- Bake for 35–40 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.
- Cool slightly before slicing so the streusel sets.
FAQ
Does beer actually make a difference in the cake?
Yes! Beer adds moisture, richness, and subtle malty notes that pair beautifully with banana. It won’t taste like you poured a pint into your dessert — it just deepens the flavor.
Can I taste the beer?
Only in the best way. Dark ales and stouts add chocolatey or nutty notes, not bitterness.
Is beer cake safe for kids?
Most alcohol bakes off, but not 100%. If you’re serving to kids, you can swap the beer for milk or cold-brew coffee.
Can I use Guinness in banana cake?
Absolutely. Banana + Guinness is a wildly underrated pairing.
Can I leave out the cereal in the streusel?
Yes! Use more flour if you want a classic crumble, or choose one of the Germany-friendly swaps listed above.
Can I double this recipe?
Yes — bake in a 9×13 pan and add 5–10 extra minutes.
Does beer make cake more moist?
Surprisingly, yes. The carbonation and malt both contribute to a softer crumb.
How to Store It / Meal Prep Tips
- Room temperature: 2 days in an airtight container
- Fridge: up to 5 days
- Freezer: freezes beautifully for up to 2 months (already sliced is easiest)
The streusel stays crisp for the first 48 hours thanks to the freezing step — after that it softens a little but still tastes amazing.
The Final Forkful
This Banana Beer Cake is everything I love about cozy home baking: simple ingredients, a little creativity, and a whole lot of flavor. Whether you use Reese’s Puffs, Tresor cereal, or whatever crunchy bits you have in the cupboard, that buttery streusel brings it all together.
If you try it, tag us @tastycue — I always love seeing your bakes! 🍌✨
much love,
