Banana Bread Brownies Recipe

Banana bread meets brownies? Oh yes, it’s a match made in dessert heaven! These Banana Bread Brownies are soft, rich, and loaded with banana goodness.

I’ve made a lot of brownies and banana bread in my life, but this? This is next level. It’s the perfect mix—moist like banana bread, fudgy like a brownie, and topped with a dreamy glaze.

If you’ve got ripe bananas sitting on your counter, this is the best way to use them. No more boring banana bread! These brownies will have everyone asking for seconds.

Let’s grab those bananas and start baking! I’ll walk you through every step so you get the best results. You’re gonna love this!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Banana Bread Meets Brownies: This recipe brings together the best of both worlds with moist banana bread flavor in a rich, chewy brownie base.
• Quick and Easy: With a prep time of just 15 minutes, this dessert is ready in less than an hour, making it perfect for a last-minute treat.
• Fudgy Texture: These brownies are ultra-moist, with a dense, fudgy texture that is hard to resist.
• Use Overripe Bananas: It’s a great way to use those ripe bananas that you might have lying around!
• Versatile: You can easily adjust the recipe to fit your personal taste preferences. Want a bit more crunch? Add extra walnuts. Looking for more chocolatey goodness? Add more chocolate chips!

Required Kitchen Tools

Before you start, make sure you have these kitchen tools on hand:

• Mixing Bowls: One medium bowl for dry ingredients and another for wet ingredients.
• Hand Mixer or Whisk: To mix the wet ingredients until smooth.
• Baking Pan: An 8×8-inch baking pan works best for this recipe.
• Parchment Paper: Lining your pan with parchment paper makes it easier to remove the brownies once baked.
• Measuring Cups and Spoons: Accurate measurements ensure your Banana Bread Brownies come out perfect.

Ingredients for the Banana Bread Brownies

Here’s what you’ll need to make these Banana Bread Brownies (with exact measurements in the recipe card below):

• All-Purpose Flour: The base of your brownies, providing structure and a chewy texture.
• Baking Powder: Helps the brownies rise to perfection, giving them a light, fluffy consistency.
• Baking Soda: Works with the bananas to help these brownies spread and rise beautifully.
• Kosher Salt: Balances out the sweetness and enhances the flavors.
• Dark Chocolate: Adds richness and depth to the brownies. Be sure to chop it into small pieces.
• White Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps create that chewy texture.
• Unsalted Butter: Brings richness to the brownies and helps achieve the perfect moist consistency.
• Large Egg: Binds all the ingredients together and adds structure to the brownies.
• Very Ripe Bananas (about 1 cup): The key ingredient to giving the brownies their signature banana flavor. The riper, the better!
• Vanilla Extract: Enhances the flavor and brings everything together.
• Chopped Walnuts: Optional but adds a nice texture contrast to the soft brownies.
• Semisweet Chocolate Chips: These add melty pockets of chocolate throughout the brownies.
• Banana Slices (optional): For extra banana flavor and decoration.
• White Sugar (optional, for banana brûlée): You can caramelize some banana slices on top for an extra touch of sweetness.

Variations for Banana Bread Brownies

• Add a Swirl of Peanut Butter: Mix a couple of tablespoons of peanut butter into the batter for a delicious, nutty twist.
• Make It Vegan: Replace the egg with a flax egg (1 tablespoon ground flax + 3 tablespoons water) and use dairy-free butter and chocolate chips.
• Add Chocolate Ganache: For an even richer brownie, drizzle a layer of chocolate ganache over the top.
• Try Different Nuts: If you’re not a fan of walnuts, try adding pecans or almonds for a different flavor and texture.
• Add More Bananas: Increase the amount of mashed banana for even more banana flavor and moisture.

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Preheat Your Oven and Prepare the Pan

Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (177°C). Grease an 8×8-inch baking pan with butter or line it with parchment paper for easy removal after baking.

2. Mix the Dry Ingredients

In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Set it aside while you prepare the wet ingredients.

3. Mash the Bananas

Peel your ripe bananas and mash them well with a fork until they form a smooth paste. You should aim for about 1 cup of mashed banana. If you want to intensify the banana flavor, use very ripe bananas!

4. Cream the Butter and Sugar

In another large mixing bowl, beat the unsalted butter and white sugar together until the mixture is light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes. This will help create that fudgy texture in your brownies.

5. Add the Wet Ingredients

To the butter and sugar mixture, add the mashed bananas, egg, and vanilla extract. Mix until smooth and fully incorporated. The banana will bring a rich, moist texture to the brownies, while the vanilla will enhance the overall flavor profile.

6. Combine the Wet and Dry Ingredients

Slowly add the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, stirring gently until combined. Be careful not to overmix—just mix until there are no dry spots left. You want to maintain the dense, fudgy texture that makes these Banana Bread Brownies so irresistible.

7. Fold in the Chocolate and Walnuts

Once the batter is mixed, fold in the dark chocolate pieces and semisweet chocolate chips. If you’re adding walnuts, fold those in as well. The chocolate will melt and create little pockets of gooey goodness throughout the brownies, and the walnuts will add a nice crunch.

8. Pour the Batter Into the Pan

Transfer the brownie batter into your prepared baking pan and spread it evenly with a spatula. Don’t worry if it looks a little thick—it will spread out nicely as it bakes.

9. Add Optional Banana Slices and Sugar for Brûlée

If you want to elevate the banana flavor, you can add a few banana slices on top of the brownie batter. For an extra touch of sweetness, sprinkle a little white sugar on top of the banana slices. When baked, the sugar will caramelize and create a sweet, brûléed effect.

10. Bake the Banana Bread Brownies

Place the pan in your preheated oven and bake for 30-35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with just a few moist crumbs (not wet batter). The brownies should be firm to the touch but still slightly soft in the middle. Be careful not to overbake them, as you want to preserve that fudgy texture.

11. Cool the Brownies

Once the brownies are baked, remove them from the oven and let them cool in the pan for about 10 minutes. After that, transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely. If you used parchment paper, you can lift the brownies out of the pan for easy cutting.

12. Slice and Serve

Once the brownies are fully cooled, cut them into squares (or rectangles, if you prefer). You should get about 9 large squares or 16 smaller ones depending on your preferred size. The banana flavor will have melded beautifully with the chocolate, and the texture should be both moist and fudgy.

How to Serve Banana Bread Brownies

These Banana Bread Brownies are delicious on their own, but you can also get creative with how you serve them:

• With Ice Cream: A scoop of vanilla or chocolate ice cream on top of a warm brownie makes for the ultimate indulgence.
• Drizzled with Nutella: For extra chocolatey goodness, drizzle some Nutella over the top of your brownies.
• With a Dusting of Powdered Sugar: Add a touch of elegance with a light dusting of powdered sugar.
• On Their Own: These brownies are tasty enough to stand alone. Perfect for a quick snack or dessert.

Storing Banana Bread Brownies

• Room Temperature: Store leftover brownies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. They’ll stay moist and delicious!
• Refrigeration: If you want them to last a bit longer, you can store them in the fridge for up to 5 days.
• Freezing: Freeze any leftovers for up to 3 months. Just wrap the brownies in plastic wrap or foil and place them in a freezer-safe container or bag. Thaw at room temperature or microwave for a few seconds before serving.

Nutrition (Approximate)

Serving Size	Calories	Fat	Carbs	Protein
1 brownie	210	10g	30g	3g

Nutrition values are approximate and will vary based on exact ingredients used.

Conclusion

These Banana Bread Brownies are the ultimate treat, combining the best of both banana bread and brownies in one indulgent dessert. Whether you’re looking for a quick snack, a party treat, or just something to satisfy your sweet tooth, these brownies are sure to hit the spot. With just a few simple ingredients and minimal effort, you can have a batch of these delicious brownies ready in no time.

So, go ahead—whip up a batch of Banana Bread Brownies and enjoy a dessert that’s as comforting as it is delicious!