These Banana Bread Brownies fuse the cozy taste of banana bread with the decadent feel of fudgy brownies, all finished with a rich brown butter frosting. These bars are moist and dense and studded with ripe bananas and crispy walnuts.
The nuttiness and sweetness of the brown butter frosting goes beautifully with the banana base, and these brownies are a snack you won’t soon forget. Serve them at parties, take them to potlucks, eat them as a comforting snack with your favorite cup of coffee or tea. A slice of delicious banana bread brownies and you will never want to eat any other treat again!
Why You’ll Love It:
Two Desserts in One: The best of banana bread and brownies, all in one drool-inducing bite.
Rich and Moist: The ripe bananas and sour cream make these brownies so tender and flavorful.
Show-Stopping Frosting: A brown butter frosting gives a nutty, caramel-like sweetness that takes this dessert to the next level.
Crowd-Pleaser: Great for potlucks, celebrations or just as a treat for you and your family.
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Key Ingredients:
Sugar: Adds sweetness to counteract the banana taste.
Sour Cream: Makes the brownies super tender with moisture, and a little tang.
Butter: A staple in both the batter and frosting for a rich, buttery flavor.
Eggs: They help bind the ingredients together and adds to the soft texture.
Bananas: You will need ripe bananas for sweetness and that unique banana bread taste.
Vanilla Extract: It helps to brighten the flavor of both the brownies and the frosting.
Flour: All-purpose flour is the backbone of the brownies, providing structure while also allowing them to be soft.
Baking Soda: Guarantees the brownies get a little lift, so they’re fluffy.
Walnuts: To add a delicious crunch and nutty taste (optional, but very highly recommended).
Powdered Sugar: The base of the creamy brown butter frosting.
Milk: Adjusts the frosting’s consistency to make it smooth and spreadable.
Full amounts and instructions are in the recipe card below
Instructions:
Step 1: Preheat the Oven and Prepare the Pan
Get the Oven Going: Heat it up to 375°F (190°C). For even baking, preheat properly.
Prepare the Pan: Lightly grease and flour a 15×10-inch jelly roll pan. Or line the pan with parchment paper to lift out easily.
Step 2: Prepare the Brownie Batter
Cream the Base Ingredients:
In a big mixing bowl combine:
1 ½ cups sugar
1 cup sour cream
½ cup softened butter
2 eggs
Beat with an electric mixer until the mixture is creamy and smooth.
Add in Bananas and Vanilla:
Add 4 mashed ripe bananas and 2 teaspoons vanilla extract to the mixture. Next blend everything until combined well.
Add Dry Ingredients:
In another bowl, mix together:
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
¾ teaspoon salt
Add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture in stages. Mix until combined (about 1 minute), taking care not to overmix.
Stir in Walnuts:
Stir in ½ cup chopped walnuts. For variations, replace with chocolate chips or leave out the nuts entirely.
Step 3: Bake the Brownies
Spread the Batter:
Transfer the batter to the prepared jelly roll pan. Spread it out evenly with a spatula.
Bake:
Add the pan to the preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until:
The top is golden brown.
It’s done when a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean or with a few damp crumbs.
Cool Slightly:
Take the brownies out of the oven and allow them to cool in the pan for a few minutes before frosting.
Stage 4: Make the Brown Butter Frosting
Brown the Butter:
Melt ½ cup butter in a large saucepan over medium heat.
Stir constantly as butter turns toasty brown and smells nutty. Be careful and keep an eye on it so as not to burn.
Make the Frosting:
Lift the browned butter off the heat and whisk in:
4 cups powdered sugar
1 ½ teaspoons vanilla extract
3 tablespoons milk
Mix until smooth. Add milk as needed to reach a pourable, but thick, frosting consistency.
Step 5: Frost the Brownies
Spread the Frosting:
Drizzle the frosting on top when the brownies are still warm. Use a spatula to smooth it out evenly.
Cool Completely:
Allow the brownies to cool fully in the pan. This will help the frosting firm and be easier to cut.
Slice and Serve:
Let brownie cool for 30 minutes, then cut into squares. These are rich and flavorful treats, perfect as dessert or snack.
Serving Suggestions:
Classic Dessert: Pair with cold glass of milk or hot cup of coffee. Comfort.
Indulgent Pairing: Serve with a scoop of vanilla ice cream on top or a drizzle of caramel sauce for an over-the-top dessert.
Snack-Size Portions: Cut them into smaller squares for the ideal grab-and-go snack or lunchbox treat.
Brunch Add On: These brownies are a sweet addition to an brunch spread alongside fresh fruit and coffee.
Storage and Meal Prep Tips:
Refrigeration
Brownies will keep in an airtight container at room temperature for 2 days.
Store them in the refrigerator for long storage for up to 5 days. For best flavor and texture, bring to room temperature before serving.
Freezing
Frost-free brownies will freeze for up to 3 months wrapped tightly in plastic wrap then foil, and stored in a freezer-safe bag.
Unglazed brownies can also be frozen but may take longer to defrost.
Make-Ahead Option
Make the batter ahead and refrigerate for as long as 24 hours before baking.
Frosting can be made 1-2 days in advance and stored in the refrigerator. Slightly warm before spreading
Variations:
Brownies, Chocolate Banana Bread
Truth: Add ½ cup of chocolate chips into the batter for the chocolate lovers.
Nut-Free Brownies
You can leave out the walnuts or use crushed coconut or dried cranberries for a nut-free version.
Peanut Butter Swirl
Or drop spoonfuls of peanut butter across the surface of the batter before baking and swirl it with a knife, for a banana-peanut butter spin.
Cinnamon-Spiced Brownies
Add 1 teaspoon of cinnamon to the batter for a warm, spiced flavor in the batter that pairs nicely with the bananas.
Gluten-Free Version
To make these brownies gluten-free, use a 1:1 gluten-free baking flour in place of the all-purpose flour.
Conclusion:
These banana bread brownies are much more than simply a dessert—they’re a mash-up of comfy-and-indulge that’ll beg everyone for a second round. These treats are unforgettable, thanks to the moist, flavorful base and the nutty brown butter frosting.
Of all occasions, this recipe is one you’ll want to save and make on repeat. Need more banana recipes? For other ways to enjoy the popular fruit, try our Banana Chocolate Chip Muffins or Banana Cream Pie Bars. Happy baking!
Banana Bread Brownies: A Decadent Twist on Two Classics
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups sugar
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1/2 cup butter softened
- 2 eggs
- 4 ripe bananas mashed
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 3/4 tsp salt
- 1/2 cup chopped walnuts
- 1/2 cup butter for frosting, browned
- 4 cups powdered sugar
- 1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract for frosting
- 3 tbsp milk adjust for consistency
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease and flour a 15x10-inch jelly roll pan or line it with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, beat sugar, sour cream, softened butter, and eggs until creamy. Mix in mashed bananas and vanilla extract. In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, and salt, then gradually mix into the wet ingredients. Fold in chopped walnuts.
- Spread the batter evenly into the prepared pan. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- In a saucepan, melt butter over medium heat, stirring until golden brown and fragrant. Remove from heat and whisk in powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and milk until smooth. Adjust the milk for desired consistency.
- Pour the frosting over the warm brownies and spread evenly with a spatula. Let the brownies cool completely in the pan to allow the frosting to set.
- Cut the brownies into squares and serve. Enjoy as a dessert or snack!