Banana Bread Brownies are a tasty mix of banana bread and brownies. They are sweet, soft, and full of banana flavor. This recipe is perfect if you have some ripe bananas at home and don’t know what to do with them. It is also very easy to make. You don’t need any special tools or ingredients. Just mix everything and bake.
These banana brownies are great for tea time, snacks, or even as a dessert after dinner. Kids love them, and grown-ups enjoy them too. The smell of bananas and butter while baking is amazing and fills the whole house with a nice aroma. If you like banana bread and you like brownies, this is the best of both in one dish.
What Are Banana Bread Brownies?
Banana Bread Brownies are soft cake-like bars that have the rich flavor of ripe bananas and the sweet, moist feel of brownies. Unlike chocolate brownies, these have no cocoa or chocolate in the base. Instead, they taste more like banana cake but with a soft brownie texture. They are made with simple ingredients like mashed bananas, sugar, flour, butter, and eggs. You can also add a glaze on top to make them even more delicious. Some people even add nuts or chocolate chips inside for extra crunch or sweetness. But this basic recipe is already full of taste and super easy.
Ingredients You Will Need:
To make Banana Bread Brownies, you only need a few things that are usually already in your kitchen. Here is the list:
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1 cup mashed ripe bananas (about 2–3 bananas)
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1/2 cup melted butter
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1 cup white sugar
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2 large eggs
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1 teaspoon vanilla extract
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1 and 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
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1/2 teaspoon baking soda
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1/4 teaspoon salt
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Optional: 1/2 cup chopped walnuts or chocolate chips
For glaze (optional):
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1/4 cup melted butter
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1 cup powdered sugar
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1–2 tablespoons milk
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1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Also Read: Cream Cheese Brownies – A Sweet Recipe Anyone Can Make
Directions to Make Banana Bread Brownies
- Heat oven to 375°F. Grease and flour a 15×10-inch jelly roll pan. For the bars, in a large bowl, beat together sugar, sour cream, butter, and eggs until creamy. Blend in bananas and vanilla extract. Add flour, baking soda, salt, and blend for 1 minute. Stir in walnuts.
- Spread batter evenly into the pan. Bake 20 to 25 minutes or until golden brown.
- Meanwhile, for frosting, heat butter in a large saucepan over medium heat until boiling. Let the butter turn a delicate brown and remove from the heat immediately.
- Add powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and milk. Whisk together until smooth (it should be thicker than a glaze but thinner than frosting). Using a spatula, spread the brown butter frosting over the warm bars (the frosting will be easier to spread while the bars are still warm).
How to Make the Glaze
If you want a sweet topping on your banana brownies, you can make a simple glaze. In a small bowl, mix melted butter, powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract. Stir until smooth. If it’s too thick, add a bit more milk. Once your brownies have cooled, pour the glaze on top and spread it evenly. Let it sit for 5–10 minutes until it sets. This glaze adds a sweet and soft layer that makes the brownies even better. You can skip it if you want something less sweet, but kids usually love it.
Banana Bread Brownies Tips and Suggestions
One of the best tips for this recipe is to use very ripe bananas. The blacker the peel, the sweeter and softer the banana inside. This helps your brownies taste rich and sweet without using too much sugar. Another tip is not to overbake them. If you keep them in the oven too long, they can get dry. Always check after 25 minutes. If you like a little crunch, you can add walnuts or even almonds. If you like it extra sweet, try chocolate chips. You can also add a pinch of cinnamon for a warm, cozy flavor. If you want to make it a bit healthier, use half whole wheat flour and half all-purpose flour. It will still taste great but be a little better for your body. You can even turn this into a breakfast bar by adding oats and cutting down the sugar a bit.
Storing and Serving
Once your banana bread brownies are ready and cooled, cut them into square pieces. You can store them in an airtight container for 2–3 days at room temperature. If you put them in the fridge, they can last up to a week. You can also freeze them. Just wrap each piece in plastic and store them in the freezer. When you want to eat, take one out and warm it in the microwave for a few seconds. These brownies taste great on their own, but you can also serve them with ice cream, a cup of tea, or warm milk. They are perfect for lunchboxes or evening snacks.