Introduction

These Banana Bread Brownies combine the moist, tender texture of banana bread with the rich, indulgent flavor of brownies. Topped with a luscious brown butter frosting, they make a perfect treat for any occasion that’s easy to prepare and sure to delight your taste buds.

A close-up of a square dessert bar on a white plate, showing two distinct layers: the bottom layer is a crunchy, grainy, golden-brown crust, while the top layer is a thick, creamy, light beige filling with a rough texture, decorated with soft swirls and light brown sprinkles on top. The dessert bar is cut into neat squares, and the white plate contrasts with the textured layers, all placed on a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

1 ½ cups sugar
1 cup sour cream
½ cup butter, softened
2 eggs
1 ¾ cups ripe bananas, mashed (about 3 to 4 bananas)
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
¾ teaspoon salt
½ cup chopped walnuts (optional for a delightful crunch)
For the Brown Butter Frosting:
½ cup butter
4 cups powdered sugar
1 ½ teaspoons vanilla extract
3 tablespoons milk

Instructions

Step 1: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease and flour a 15×10-inch jelly roll pan to ensure your bars come out effortlessly.
Step 2: In a large mixing bowl, beat together sugar, sour cream, softened butter, and eggs until smooth and creamy. Add the mashed bananas and vanilla extract, blending until well combined.
Step 3: Sprinkle in the flour, baking soda, and salt. Mix for about 1 minute until the batter is smooth and free of lumps. If desired, stir in the chopped walnuts for added texture.
Step 4: Transfer the batter into the prepared pan. Use a spatula to smooth it out evenly.
Step 5: Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, or until the surface is golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
Step 6: While the bars bake, make the brown butter frosting: heat butter in a saucepan over medium heat until it melts and turns a golden-brown color with a nutty aroma. Remove from heat immediately.
Step 7: Add powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and milk to the brown butter. Whisk until smooth and spreadable. Add more powdered sugar if frosting is too runny.
Step 8: Once the bars are slightly cooled but still warm, spread the frosting evenly over the top for a delicious finish.

Tips & Variations

For a nut-free version, simply omit the walnuts or substitute with chocolate chips for extra sweetness.
Make sure the brown butter doesn’t burn — remove it from heat as soon as it turns golden and smells nutty.
You can add a pinch of cinnamon or nutmeg to the batter for a warm spice flavor.
Use very ripe bananas to maximize sweetness and moisture in the bars.

Storage

Store the banana bread brownies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. For longer storage, refrigerate for up to a week or freeze for up to 3 months. When ready to eat, bring to room temperature or warm slightly before serving. Avoid frosting the bars until ready to serve if freezing.

How to Serve

The image shows a close-up of a square dessert bar with two distinct layers placed on a white plate. The bottom layer is a thick, crumbly crust of golden brown color with a grainy texture. Above it, the top layer is thicker, creamy, and light beige, with a smooth but slightly grainy surface that has some swirls and small darker specks sprinkled across it. The dessert edges are slightly rough and the top surface has a soft, almost frosting-like appearance. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use frozen bananas for this recipe?

Yes, thaw and mash frozen bananas before using. They work well and add moisture just like fresh ripe bananas.

What if I don’t want to make the brown butter frosting?

You can skip the frosting entirely or top the bars with a simple cream cheese frosting or powdered sugar dusting for a lighter option.