Recipe: Banana Crumb Cake

Ingredients
Crumb Topping
1 1/2 sticks Earth Balance vegan butter, melted (equivalent to 3/4 cup)
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 1/4 tsp cinnamon
pinch salt
2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour

Cake
3 very ripe mashed bananas
1/4 cup applesauce
1/2 stick Earth Balance vegan butter, softened (equivalent to 1/4 cup)
1/2 cup sugar
3 tablespoons maple syrup
2 cups flour
3/4 tsp baking soda
1 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp salt

Instructions
Preheat the oven to 350º F. Line a 9x9 square pan with aluminum foil by draping 2 pieces of the foil in a criss-cross patten over the pan. This will allow you to lift the cake entirely out of the pan when it's finished. Lightly grease the pan (after foil is placed) with a little Earth Balance, cooking spray, or vegetable oil.

Make the crumbs. Whisk the warm, melted earth balance with the sugar, brown sugar, cinnamon and salt. Add the flour and mix in (with spoons or hands). Set aside.

Make the cake. In another mixing bowl, mash the bananas really well with a fork. Then mash in the Earth Balance. Stir in the sugar, applesauce, and maple syrup until combined. Next, add in flour, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt. Mix until just combined; do not overmix.

Spread batter into greased pan.

Break apart small pieces of the crumb mixture and add to the top. Cover the batter evenly with the crumbs.

Bake for 45-50 minutes at 350ºF. The crumbs should be slightly browned and a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake should come out clean.