Meet your new baking obsession: Banana Bread Brownies! Imagine all the cozy, banana-scented magic of classic banana bread, but with the fudgy, melt-in-your-mouth texture of brownies—plus a swoon-worthy brown butter glaze that takes things completely over the top.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Banana Bread Meets Brownie Bliss: Classic banana bread flavor is transformed into fudgy, decadent bars—pure comfort with a brownie twist.
- Irresistible Brown Butter Glaze: The rich, nutty frosting takes these Banana Bread Brownies from everyday to unforgettable.
- Quick and Easy: Only 10 minutes of prep and simple pantry staples make this treat totally doable, even on busy days.
- Perfect for Sharing… or Not: These bars are just as welcome at a potluck as they are on a cozy night in with family or friends.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The beauty of Banana Bread Brownies is how effortlessly the ingredients come together. Each one plays a starring role in creating bars that are moist, tender, and loaded with banana flavor—all finished with that dreamy glaze on top!
- Granulated Sugar: Provides sweetness and helps create that perfectly golden, tender crumb.
- Plain Greek Yogurt (or sour cream): Adds tangy moisture, keeping the bars extra soft and lush.
- Butter (softened): Offers richness and that signature fudgy texture you crave in a brownie-style bar.
- Eggs: Bind the batter together and contribute to a satisfying bite.
- Ripe Bananas: The riper, the better—they’re the key to the deep banana flavor and natural sweetness.
- Vanilla Extract: Enhances the banana undertones and adds warmth to both the batter and glaze.
- All-Purpose Flour: Gives structure while keeping the crumb tender and not too dense.
- Baking Soda: Ensures your brownies stay light, with just the right rise.
- Salt: Makes all the flavors pop and prevents the bars from tasting flat.
- Butter (for glaze): This is browned for a rich, nutty frosting you’ll want to eat by the spoonful.
- Powdered Sugar: Whips into the glaze for creamy sweetness and smooth texture.
- Milk: Loosens up the glaze just enough to cascade beautifully over warm bars.
- Optional Walnuts: Stir in some toasted walnuts if you like crunch and a hint of nutty flavor!
Variations
The best part about these Banana Bread Brownies? You can make them your own! A quick tweak here or a creative swap there, and you’ll have a version that’s just right for your craving, pantry, or dietary needs.
- Chocolate Chip Banana Bread Brownies: Fold in a handful (or two!) of chocolate chips before baking for gooey, chocolatey pockets in every bite.
- Gluten-Free Version: Substitute your favorite 1:1 gluten-free flour blend for all-purpose flour—no one will know the difference.
- Nut Lover’s Dream: Add chopped pecans or hazelnuts along with, or instead of, walnuts for extra crunch and rich flavor.
- Cinnamon-Streusel Topping: Skip the glaze and sprinkle a cinnamon-sugar mixture on top before baking for a cozy twist.
How to Make Banana Bread Brownies
Step 1: Prep Your Pan and Gather Ingredients
Preheat your oven to 375°F and generously grease a 9×13-inch pan with non-stick spray. Take a few minutes to measure out all your ingredients—it’ll make things run smoothly once you start mixing. If your bananas aren’t quite ripe, pop them (peels on!) in a 300°F oven for about 10 minutes until deeply speckled and soft.
Step 2: Make the Banana Bread Brownies Batter
In a large bowl, cream together the sugar and softened butter until light and fluffy. Beat in the yogurt (or sour cream), eggs, mashed bananas, and vanilla, mixing until just combined—don’t overdo it! Gently fold in the flour, baking soda, and salt until no streaks remain, then add walnuts if using. Smooth the batter into the prepared pan.
Step 3: Bake to Perfection
Bake for 23–28 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean (a few moist crumbs are perfect). The top should look golden and feel slightly springy to the touch. Set aside, but don’t cool completely—we want that glaze to melt right in!
Step 4: Make and Glaze
While your Banana Bread Brownies bake, brown the butter for the glaze in a skillet over medium heat until it’s nutty and amber. Take it off the heat and whisk in powdered sugar, vanilla, and a splash of milk until smooth and pourable. While the brownies are still warm, pour the glaze over the top and gently spread with a spoon—it’ll soak in for the most luscious bite!
Pro Tips for Making Banana Bread Brownies
- Banana Ripeness Matters: The sweeter and spottier the bananas, the richer the flavor in your brownies—don’t be shy about using overripe bananas!
- Brown Butter Watch: When browning the butter for glaze, stay close! It transforms quickly from golden and nutty to burnt—pull it off the heat as soon as it smells toasty and looks deep amber.
- Avoid Overmixing: Gently fold the batter once you add the flour to keep your Banana Bread Brownies extra tender and prevent them from becoming dense or tough.
- Frost While Warm: Pour the glaze over the brownies while they’re still warm out of the oven for that signature gooey, set-top layer everyone fights over.
How to Serve Banana Bread Brownies
Garnishes
A light shower of chopped walnuts, a pinch of cinnamon, or a drizzle of melted chocolate over your Banana Bread Brownies brings a touch of flair and extra flavor. If you’re feeling fancy, a dollop of whipped cream or a dusting of powdered sugar just before serving is always a hit.
Side Dishes
Serve these bars with a cup of bold coffee, chai, or a tall glass of cold milk—perfection! If you’re offering dessert after brunch or lunch, fresh berries or a scoop of creamy vanilla ice cream makes these Banana Bread Brownies truly special.
Creative Ways to Present
Cut your brownies into bite-sized squares for a dessert platter, or use cookie cutters to turn them into fun shapes for a party. Stack slices in a tower and drizzle with extra glaze, or layer them in parfait glasses with whipped cream and banana slices for a showstopper treat!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Keep your Banana Bread Brownies fresh by storing them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to three days. The glaze keeps the bars moist and delicious—if it’s warm in your kitchen, pop them in the fridge, tightly covered.
Freezing
To freeze, slice the completely cooled brownies and layer with parchment in a freezer-safe container. They’ll keep beautifully for up to two months—just thaw overnight in the fridge (or at room temperature) before serving.
Reheating
For that warm, bakery-fresh flavor, pop individual bars into the microwave for 10–15 seconds or reheat a tray in a low oven (about 275°F) for 8–10 minutes. The glaze will become silky and irresistible all over again!
FAQs
-
Can I use frozen bananas for Banana Bread Brownies?
Absolutely! Just thaw your frozen bananas first and drain off any excess liquid. They’ll mix in just as easily and provide that same wonderful, concentrated banana flavor.
-
Can I make Banana Bread Brownies dairy-free?
Yes—swap in a plant-based butter and use your favorite non-dairy yogurt for the batter. For the glaze, a dairy-free butter and a splash of almond or oat milk will work perfectly.
-
Why is my glaze too runny or too thick?
If your glaze is too runny, add more powdered sugar a tablespoon at a time until it thickens. If too thick, add milk in small splashes until you reach your perfect consistency.
-
Can I double this Banana Bread Brownies recipe for a crowd?
Definitely! Just use two 9×13-inch pans or a larger rimmed baking sheet, and keep an eye on them—the baking time may vary by a few minutes.
Final Thoughts
If you’re craving something cozy, ridiculously delicious, and practically fuss-free, these Banana Bread Brownies are calling your name. I hope you adore every bite—don’t be surprised if they disappear faster than you can bake them!
Print
Banana Bread Brownies Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 16 bars 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Indulge in the delicious fusion of banana bread and brownies with this easy-to-make recipe for Banana Bread Brownies. Moist and flavorful banana bread bars topped with a rich brown butter frosting make for the perfect treat any time of day.
Ingredients
For the Banana Bread Bars:
- 1–1/2 cups granulated sugar
- 1 cup plain Greek yogurt (or sour cream)
- 1/2 cup butter, softened
- 2 large eggs
- 3–4 ripe bananas, mashed
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 3/4 teaspoon salt
For the Glaze:
- 4 Tablespoons butter
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1–2 Tablespoons milk
Instructions
- Preheat oven and prepare pan: Preheat oven to 375 degrees F and grease a 9×13-inch pan with non-stick cooking spray.
- Mix wet ingredients: In a large bowl, cream together the sugar and butter. Beat in the sour cream, eggs, mashed bananas, and vanilla extract.
- Add dry ingredients: Add the flour, baking soda, and salt, mixing just until moistened. Stir in walnuts if desired.
- Bake: Spread the batter evenly into the prepared pan and bake for 23-28 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Prepare the Glaze: While the bars bake, make the brown butter frosting by heating butter in a skillet until browned. Whisk in powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and milk until smooth.
- Finish: Pour the warm frosting over the warm bars and spread gently with a spoon.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 25g
- Sodium: 180mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 55mg
