Banana Bread Brownies 🍌🍫

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes
Servings: 9–12

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🌟 Introduction

If you love banana bread and brownies, this Banana Bread Brownies recipe is about to become your new obsession! These irresistible bars combine the moist, fluffy texture of banana bread with the rich, sweet indulgence of brownies. Each bite is soft, buttery, and bursting with banana flavor—topped with a luscious brown butter frosting that takes them over the top.

Perfect for using up ripe bananas, these easy bars make a wonderful treat for breakfast, dessert, or afternoon snacking. They’re a guaranteed crowd-pleaser that’s simple, comforting, and absolutely delicious.

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🍌 Ingredients

For the Banana Bread Brownies:

• 1 cup granulated sugar
• ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
• 2 large eggs
• 1 cup sour cream (or Greek yogurt)
• 3 ripe bananas, mashed (about 1 ½ cups)
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• ¼ teaspoon salt

For the Brown Butter Frosting:

• ½ cup unsalted butter
• 3 cups powdered sugar
• 1 ½ teaspoons vanilla extract
• 3 tablespoons milk (or more as needed)

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🍳 Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the Pan & Preheat the Oven

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking pan or line it with parchment paper for easy removal.

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Step 2: Make the Banana Brownie Batter

1. In a large mixing bowl, cream together butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
2. Beat in the eggs, one at a time, then add sour cream, mashed bananas, and vanilla extract. Mix until smooth and well combined.
3. In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, and salt.
4. Gradually fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture until just combined—do not overmix.

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Step 3: Bake

1. Pour the batter into the prepared baking dish and spread it evenly.
2. Bake for 25–30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
3. Allow the brownies to cool completely before adding the frosting.

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🧈 Step 4: Make the Brown Butter Frosting

1. In a medium saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Continue cooking, swirling occasionally, until it turns golden brown and develops a nutty aroma (about 5 minutes).
2. Remove from heat and let it cool slightly.
3. Whisk in powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and milk until smooth and spreadable. If the frosting is too thick, add more milk a tablespoon at a time.

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🍰 Step 5: Frost & Serve

1. Spread the brown butter frosting evenly over the cooled banana brownies.
2. Let the frosting set for about 10–15 minutes before slicing.
3. Cut into squares and serve at room temperature.

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💡 Tips for the Best Banana Bread Brownies

• Use very ripe bananas: The riper they are, the sweeter and more flavorful your brownies will be.
• Don’t overmix: Overmixing can make your bars dense instead of fluffy.
• Add-ins: Stir in chopped walnuts, pecans, or chocolate chips for extra texture and flavor.
• Brown butter carefully: Watch it closely—it goes from golden to burnt in seconds!
• Storage: Store brownies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, or refrigerate for up to 5 days.

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🍫 Variations

• Chocolate Banana Brownies: Add ¼ cup cocoa powder to the batter and reduce the flour by ¼ cup for a chocolatey twist.
• Cream Cheese Frosting: Swap the brown butter glaze for a tangy cream cheese frosting for a more traditional banana bread flavor.
• Nutty Banana Bars: Fold in chopped walnuts or almonds for crunch.
• Glazed Banana Bars: Drizzle with simple vanilla glaze instead of full frosting for a lighter version.

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🍽️ Serving Ideas

Serve your Banana Bread Brownies with:

• A hot cup of coffee or cappuccino for breakfast.
• A scoop of vanilla ice cream for dessert.
• Fresh sliced bananas and a drizzle of caramel sauce for an indulgent treat.

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🧊 Storage & Freezing

• To Store: Keep in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerated for 5–6 days.
• To Freeze: Wrap individual bars in plastic wrap and store in a freezer-safe bag for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature before serving.

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❤️ Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Combines the best parts of banana bread and brownies.
• Rich, moist, and perfectly sweet.
• The brown butter frosting adds an irresistible nutty flavor.
• Easy to make with pantry ingredients.
• Perfect for potlucks, bake sales, or cozy weekends at home.

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🍌 Final Thoughts

These Banana Bread Brownies are the ultimate fusion dessert — comforting, moist, and utterly decadent. The buttery banana base paired with a velvety brown butter frosting creates a dessert that melts in your mouth. It’s a simple recipe with big, bakery-quality flavor, ideal for satisfying any sweet craving.

Whether you’re baking for family, friends, or just yourself, these bars will make you fall in love at first bite. So grab those ripe bananas and get baking — happiness is just a pan of banana bread brownies away! 🍌💛

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