Banana Bread Brownies Are the Ultimate Dessert Mashup
Take everything you love about banana bread—moist crumb, rich banana flavor, cozy vibes—and blend it with the sweet, chewy indulgence of a brownie. What you get is this dreamy pan of Banana Bread Brownies, topped with a rich, golden brown butter frosting that melts into every bite.
They’re simple to make, easy to slice, and nearly impossible to stop eating. Whether you’re baking for a party, a potluck, or just your own banana-loving self, this recipe delivers classic flavor with an elevated twist.
🧡 Why I Love This Recipe
- Banana bread texture meets dessert bar portability
- Brown butter frosting adds deep, nutty sweetness
- Easy to make in one bowl + one pan
- Crowd-friendly: feeds 12–16
- Great for ripe bananas and zero food waste!
📝 Ingredients
For the Brownies:
- 2 eggs
- 3 ripe bananas, mashed
- 1½ cups granulated sugar
- 1 cup sour cream
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ¾ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup chopped walnuts (optional)
For the Frosting:
- ½ cup unsalted butter
- 3 cups powdered sugar
- 1½ teaspoons vanilla extract
- 3 tablespoons milk
👨🍳 Instructions
Step 1: Preheat & Prep
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 13×9-inch baking pan.
Step 2: Make the Brownie Batter
In a large bowl, beat together sugar, sour cream, butter, and eggs until light and creamy.
Stir in the mashed bananas and vanilla extract.
Add in the flour, baking soda, and salt, mixing just until combined.
Fold in chopped walnuts if using.
Step 3: Bake
Spread batter evenly in the prepared pan. Bake for 25 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and a toothpick comes out clean.
Let cool slightly while you prepare the frosting.
Step 4: Brown the Butter
In a saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter and continue cooking until it turns a golden brown and smells nutty—watch closely so it doesn’t burn.
Step 5: Make the Frosting
Remove browned butter from heat. Whisk in powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and milk gradually until the frosting is smooth and pourable.
Step 6: Frost and Cool
Pour frosting over the warm (not hot!) banana brownies and smooth out with a spatula.
Let cool completely, then cut into squares and serve.
🔄 Variations & Tips
- Add chocolate chips for extra decadence
- Use pecans or skip the nuts depending on preference
- Make it a layered dessert: serve with whipped cream or banana slices
- Want a deeper banana flavor? Add a pinch of nutmeg or banana extract
🍽 Serving Suggestions & Pairings
These brownies pair beautifully with:
- Chocolate Chip Banana Bread for a banana-themed bake-off
- Peanut Butter Brownies if you’re feeding a dessert-loving crowd
- Cookie Dough Brownie Bombs for full-on brownie indulgence
- Edible Cookie Dough to add to dessert boards
- Caramel Apple Pie Cookies for seasonal sweetness
🧊 Storage & Leftovers
- Room temp: Store covered for up to 3 days
- Refrigerator: Keep for up to 5 days
- Freezer: Freeze unfrosted bars up to 2 months. Add frosting after thawing for best results
📚 More Recipes You’ll Love
- This Chocolate Chip Banana Bread
- The Best Peanut Butter Brownies
- These Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Brownie Bombs
- This Edible Cookie Dough
- These Caramel Apple Pie Cookies
📝 Final Thoughts
These Banana Bread Brownies are the kind of recipe that surprises you in the best way—moist like banana bread, sweet like a blondie, and topped with a buttery glaze that’ll make everyone ask for the recipe. Whether you eat them warm, chilled, or straight from the pan, they’re always the right answer.
Made them? Let me know how they turned out—or what twists you added! And follow along for more comforting, creative desserts that make baking as joyful as eating.
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