If you’re wild about banana bread but can’t resist a perfectly frosted brownie, these Banana Bread Brownies will absolutely sweep you off your feet! Imagine the best of both worlds: all the sweet, comforting flavors of ripe bananas folded into melt-in-your-mouth bars, crowned with a dreamy brown butter frosting. They’re delightfully moist, just the right amount of sweet, and completely impossible to eat just one. This is the dessert hybrid you never knew you needed but will find yourself craving again and again.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The beauty of Banana Bread Brownies comes from simple pantry staples working their magic together. Each ingredient brings its own character to the party—texture, flavor, or that irresistible golden color—which transforms these humble bars into something truly special.
- Unsalted Butter (1/2 cup, melted): Gives richness and helps create those perfectly chewy edges.
- Granulated Sugar (1 cup): Brings just the right amount of sweetness to balance out the bananas.
- Sour Cream (1/4 cup): Adds incredible moisture and a subtle tang to keep everything tender.
- Large Eggs (2): Binds the mixture and gives these brownies structure without heaviness.
- Ripe Bananas (3, mashed): The star ingredient—make sure they have plenty of brown spots for max flavor and sweetness.
- Vanilla Extract (1 teaspoon, plus 1 teaspoon for frosting): Heightens the banana flavor and adds a comforting aroma.
- All-Purpose Flour (1 1/2 cups): Provides the perfect foundation for the bar texture.
- Baking Soda (1 teaspoon): Gives these treats their light lift so they aren’t too dense.
- Salt (1/2 teaspoon): Rounds out all the sweetness and brings the flavors alive.
- Chopped Walnuts (1/2 cup, optional): Lends satisfying crunch and a nutty dimension—feel free to leave them out if you prefer nut-free.
- Unsalted Butter (1/4 cup, for frosting): Browned for deep, nutty flavor in the luscious frosting.
- Powdered Sugar (2 cups): Whips up into a silky-smooth frosting that melts right over the bars.
- Milk (2 tablespoons, for frosting): Lets you adjust your frosting to the perfect spreading consistency.
How to Make Banana Bread Brownies
Step 1: Prepare Your Pan and Oven
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F and greasing a 9×13 inch baking pan. This ensures easy release once the Banana Bread Brownies are baked and makes cleanup a breeze. A well-prepared pan is key for those lovely, golden edges!
Step 2: Mix the Wet Ingredients
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the melted butter, sugar, and sour cream until the mixture is creamy and smooth. Next, beat in the eggs, followed by your mashed bananas and vanilla extract. The goal here is to fully blend everything so you get even flavor in every single bite.
Step 3: Fold in the Dry Ingredients
Gently stir in the flour, baking soda, and salt, taking care not to overmix. This keeps those Banana Bread Brownies light and tender. If you’re adding walnuts, fold them in now for an extra layer of texture.
Step 4: Bake Until Perfect
Spread the batter evenly into your prepared pan, using a spatula to smooth it out. Slide it into the oven and bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Your kitchen will smell heavenly about halfway through!
Step 5: Make the Brown Butter Frosting
While the brownies bake, melt 1/4 cup unsalted butter in a small saucepan over medium heat until it turns golden brown and gives off a nutty aroma. Remove from the heat and whisk in the powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and milk. Stir until smooth and spreadable—this frosting is dreamy!
Step 6: Frost and Set
Let the brownies cool for about 10 minutes after baking, then spread the warm frosting right over the top. This allows the frosting to softly meld into the bars below. Allow everything to cool and set before slicing into irresistible squares.
How to Serve Banana Bread Brownies
Garnishes
A classic sprinkle of chopped walnuts or a light dusting of powdered sugar over the frosted bars looks stunning and adds a lovely finishing touch. For an extra hit of decadence, a drizzle of melted chocolate right before serving can’t be beat.
Side Dishes
Pair your Banana Bread Brownies with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a swirl of whipped cream for an elegant dessert plate. They also shine next to freshly sliced fruit like strawberries or a handful of juicy berries to lighten things up.
Creative Ways to Present
For special occasions, cut the bars into fun shapes with a cookie cutter or stack them on a pretty cake stand. If you’re serving for brunch, offer them alongside other breakfast favorites and a big pot of coffee for a sweet surprise everyone will talk about.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Keep your Banana Bread Brownies covered at room temperature for up to three days to maintain their moisture and softness. For longer freshness, pop them in the refrigerator, where they’ll stay fabulous for up to a week.
Freezing
These brownies are freezer-friendly! Wrap individual squares tightly in plastic wrap and place them in a freezer-safe bag. They’ll keep beautifully for up to three months—a quick treat anytime the craving strikes.
Reheating
To enjoy that just-baked taste, warm the brownies gently in the microwave for 10–15 seconds. For a bigger batch, reheat them in the oven at 300°F for about 5 minutes. The frosting will soften a bit, bringing back all that fresh, gooey deliciousness.
FAQs
Can I use frozen bananas for Banana Bread Brownies?
Yes! Thaw them completely and drain any excess liquid before mashing. Frozen bananas actually intensify the banana flavor, making your brownies even more delicious.
Are the walnuts necessary?
Not at all. Walnuts are optional and just add a bit of crunch. The Banana Bread Brownies are just as lovely (and a little softer) without them—perfect for nut-free households.
Can I double the recipe for a crowd?
Absolutely. Use a larger sheet pan or bake two 9×13 inch pans side by side. Keep an eye on the baking time; they may need a couple of extra minutes if your pan is thicker or slightly smaller.
What if I don’t have sour cream?
You can substitute Greek yogurt in equal measure, which will still give these Banana Bread Brownies a moist, tender crumb with a touch of tang.
How do I know when the brownies are done?
Insert a toothpick into the center; if it comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs (but not raw batter), they’re ready. They should be golden and barely pulling away at the edges.
Final Thoughts
Whether you’re baking for a birthday, brunch, or just because you have too many ripe bananas on the counter, Banana Bread Brownies are always the answer. They’re easy, lush, and bring smiles all around. Trust me—give them a try and they might just become your new signature treat!
Print
Banana Bread Brownies Recipe
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 24 brownies 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These Banana Bread Brownies combine the best of both worlds with the flavors of banana bread in the form of moist, decadent brownies topped with a delicious brown butter frosting. Perfect for a sweet treat or dessert!
Ingredients
For the Brownies:
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup sour cream
- 2 large eggs
- 3 ripe bananas, mashed
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup chopped walnuts (optional)
For the Frosting:
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 tablespoons milk
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat oven to 350°F and grease a 9×13 inch baking pan.
- Mix the batter: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together melted butter, sugar, and sour cream. Beat in eggs, mashed bananas, and vanilla. Stir in flour, baking soda, and salt until just combined. Fold in walnuts if using.
- Bake: Spread batter into the prepared pan and bake for 25–30 minutes until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Make the frosting: While brownies bake, melt 1/4 cup butter in a saucepan until golden brown. Remove from heat and whisk in powdered sugar, vanilla, and milk until smooth and spreadable.
- Frost the brownies: After brownies cool for 10 minutes, spread the warm frosting evenly over the top. Allow to set before slicing into squares.
Notes
- For extra sweetness, drizzle with melted chocolate before serving.
- Best stored covered at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerated for up to 1 week.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 brownie
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 18 g
- Sodium: 95 mg
- Fat: 7 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 28 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 30 mg
