So, here’s the thing, banana bread is great, but what if we took it up a notch? Enter the Banana Bread Brownies. Imagine biting into a fudgy brownie with that sweet banana flavor we all love.
These banana brownies strike the ultimate balance between cozy comfort and rich indulgence, and they come together effortlessly.
I’m all about using up those ripe bananas, and this banana brownie recipe is my go-to for turning them into something irresistible.
The rich brown butter frosting is the cherry on top (well, more like the perfect drizzle). Trust me, once you try these, you’ll never look at banana bread the same way again!
Why You’ll Love These Banana Bread Brownies
Banana Bread, But Better: Imagine your favorite banana bread, but in brownie form, moist, fudgy, and so addicting. You’ll never go back to plain old banana bread again.
Low Effort, High Reward: This recipe is so easy, you’ll feel like a baking pro. It’s practically foolproof, and still looks like you put in hours of effort (without actually doing so).
A Recipe to Share & Cherish: When you share these brownies with someone, you’re not just giving them a treat. You’re giving them a warm memory. That’s how good they are. (And believe me, they’ll be begging to know how you made it.
Ingredients You’ll Need
- Unsalted Butter – Makes these brownies soft, rich, and melt-in-your-mouth delicious.
- Granulated Sugar – Helps create that perfect, slightly crisp top and gives just the right sweetness.
- Light Brown Sugar – Adds moisture and a caramel flavor that makes these brownies extra special.
- Eggs – Bind everything together and make the brownies rich, tender, and perfectly textured.
- Sour Cream – Adds a luscious creaminess and locks in moisture, ensuring each brownie stays irresistibly soft and airy.
- Ripe Bananas – The star of the show! They add banana goodness, moisture, and flavor.
- Vanilla Extract – Rounds out the flavors with a warm, comforting sweetness.
- All-Purpose Flour – Provides structure so the brownies hold together without being too dense.
- Baking Soda – Helps the brownies rise just right, giving them a soft crumb and texture.
- Fine Sea Salt – Enhances the sweetness and brings out the flavors in every bite.
- Chopped Walnuts (Optional) – Adds crunch and texture for those who like a little extra bite in their brownies.
- Milk – Helps create the ideal consistency for smooth, easy-to-spread frosting.
- Powdered Sugar – Gives the frosting its smooth, silky texture and perfect sweetness.
How to Make Banana Bread Brownies
Preheat and Prep the Pan
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). While that’s warming up, line a 9×13-inch pan with parchment paper, or lightly grease and flour it to prevent any sticky situations later on. T
his is going to ensure your brownies slide out easily once they’re baked and ready to enjoy. Set the pan aside for now.
Cream the Wet Ingredients
Using a large bowl, whip together the softened butter and sugars until the texture turns creamy and cohesive.
Mix them until they’re smooth and creamy, this step helps create that perfect texture in your brownies.
Add the eggs one at a time, stirring thoroughly until each is completely incorporated into the mixture. Next, blend in the sour cream, ripe mashed bananas, and vanilla extract, creating a rich, velvety batter.
This combination is the heart of your batter, making it rich and flavorful while keeping it moist and tender.
Mix the Dry Ingredients
Whisk the flour, baking soda, and sea salt in a separate bowl until they’re evenly combined.
This is where the magic happens, properly mixing the dry ingredients ensures they’re evenly distributed through your batter, helping everything rise and bake just right.
Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients
Now, gently add the dry mixture to the wet ingredients. Mix only until everything comes together; overworking the batter can compromise its softness.
Stir in the chopped walnuts if you’re using them (they add a delightful crunch), and then spread the batter evenly into your prepared pan.
Smooth the surface gently to guarantee an even rise throughout the bake.
Bake to Perfection
Slide the pan into the oven and bake for 25 to 30 minutes, checking for a perfectly cooked texture. You’ll know it’s done when a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, and the top is slightly golden.
You’ll know it’s ready when the edges start to detach from the sides of the pan.
Let the brownies rest in the pan for a few minutes while you make the brown butter frosting.
Brown the Butter for the Frosting
While your brownies are baking, it’s time to make that rich brown butter frosting.
Melt the butter in a saucepan set over medium heat until fully liquefied. After the butter melts, stir in the light brown sugar, keeping the mixture moving as it heats.
Let it come to a boil, and then cook for about 2 minutes until it’s nice and bubbly.
You’ll start to smell the delicious caramel-like aroma, that’s when it’s ready to come off the heat.
Make the Frosting
Incorporate the powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and milk into the brown butter blend, mixing until smooth.
The frosting will be a little thinner than usual, but that’s perfect because it will soak into the brownies and add an extra layer of flavor. Set it aside while you wait for your brownies to cool a bit.
Frost and Enjoy!
When your brownies are cool enough to handle but still warm, go ahead and generously spread that luscious brown butter frosting over the top.
With a spatula, work the mixture into a smooth, uniform layer for a perfect finish. Want a bit more crunch?
Add those walnuts on top to create the perfect texture contrast. Let everything sit for just a few minutes to set, then slice into squares. Enjoy!
4 Mistakes to Avoid
1- Overmixing the batter
It’s tempting to go at it with the whisk, but once the flour goes in, be gentle. Overmixing can make your brownies dense instead of dreamy. Mix just until everything is combined.
2- Using cold ingredients
Using cold sour cream, eggs, or butter can disrupt the batter’s smooth texture. Let everything come to room temp first, it helps the ingredients blend better and gives you that smooth, bakery-style finish.
3- Skipping the parchment paper
Sure, you can grease the pan, but parchment is your brownie’s best friend. It makes cleanup a breeze and helps you lift the whole batch out like a pro for clean, perfect slices.
4- Frosting too late
If the brownies are fully cooled, the frosting won’t sink into the top layer as beautifully. If you forget, no stress, just warm the frosting very slightly before spreading, so it still gets cozy with the brownie top.
How to Store Banana Bread Brownies
At room temp (for the snackers)
Seal them in an airtight container, and they’ll stay fresh for up to three days. Tip: Toss a slice of bread inside the container to help maintain their soft, fudgy texture.
In the fridge (for the planners)
Want to stretch their life? Refrigerate them for up to a week to maintain their quality. Just bring them to room temp before serving, or warm them up for that gooey, just-baked vibe.
In the freezer (for future cravings)
Freeze slices individually with parchment between each, then seal in a freezer bag. They remain perfect for up to two months, so you can enjoy them at their best. Brownie emergency? Microwave for 20–30 seconds and boom, instant joy.
Other Brownies to Try
The Best Banana Bread Brownies – Moist and Super Easy
Ingredients
Brownie Batter:
- ½ cup unsalted butter softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup light brown sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup sour cream
- 3 ripe bananas mashed
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ¾ teaspoon fine sea salt
- ½ –1 cup chopped walnuts optional
Brown Butter Frosting:
- ¼ cup unsalted butter
- 3 tablespoons milk
- ¼ cup light brown sugar
- 1 ½ teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2 cups powdered sugar
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9×13-inch pan with parchment paper or lightly grease and flour it. Set it aside.
- In a large bowl, mix the softened butter with both the granulated and light brown sugars until the mixture is smooth and creamy.Â
- Add each egg separately, beating well after each to achieve a smooth mixture.
- Incorporate the sour cream, mashed bananas, and vanilla extract until the batter is velvety and smooth, resulting in a rich texture.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt to ensure everything is evenly mixed.Â
- Carefully incorporate the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, stirring just enough to combine and preserve the batter's texture. If you’re using chopped walnuts, stir them in now for that extra bit of crunch.
- Pour the batter carefully into the pan, then spread it evenly for a consistent, smooth layer. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, checking with a toothpick in the center, and ensure the edges are just starting to detach from the pan.
- Allow the brownies to cool for a few minutes while you prepare the frosting. Start by melting the butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Mix in the brown sugar and let it cook for about 2 minutes, or until it starts bubbling.
- As soon as it releases a nutty, caramel aroma, remove from the heat and blend in the powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and milk until the frosting is smooth and pourable.
- Spread the freshly made frosting over the warm brownies with a spatula, creating a smooth, even layer.Â
- If you like, sprinkle more chopped walnuts on top for a little texture.Â
- Let it all set for a few minutes, then slice and serve while they’re warm!
Notes
- Avoid overbaking, check with a toothpick and pull them out once it comes out mostly clean (a few moist crumbs are okay!).
- Don’t walk away while browning the butter. It goes from golden and nutty to burnt real fast, just a couple of seconds can make all the difference.
