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Easy Banana Bread Brownies

Featured in: Indulgent Desserts and Baked Delights for Every Occasion

Give your ripe bananas a fun twist with these banana bread brownies. Packed with comfort-food vibes, they're thick, soft squares blending banana bread's creaminess and brownie chewiness. Brown butter, honey, and brown sugar come together to create a luscious, caramel-like flavor. Add a layer of rich brown butter frosting, and you've got an unforgettable treat topped off with walnuts for crunch, plus a mix of hearty whole wheat and all-purpose flours. A perfect way to use overripe bananas and treat yourself to something special.
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Updated on Wed, 26 Feb 2025 15:03:06 GMT
Rich Banana Bread Brownies Pin it
Rich Banana Bread Brownies | yummygusto.com

Experience the perfect fusion of classic banana bread and fudgy brownies in this irresistible treat. Rich, moist, and wonderfully dense, these banana bread brownies transform basic ingredients into something extraordinary. The crowning touch of nutty browned butter frosting adds sophistication to this comforting homestyle dessert.

Through countless batches and family gatherings, this recipe has been refined to perfection. The texture is best when the brownies cool completely before adding the frosting. The coveted corner pieces develop a delightful slight crispness that contrasts beautifully with the moist center.

Key Ingredients

  • Overripe bananas: Look for deeply speckled, soft bananas to provide natural sweetness and intense flavor
  • White whole wheat flour: Provides perfect texture while keeping nutritional benefits
  • European-style butter: Higher fat content creates superior browned butter
  • Raw honey: Adds moisture and complex sweetness that enhances banana notes

Preparation Method

Toast the Nuts:
Heat walnuts until golden and aromatic for enhanced flavor.
Brown the Butter:
Cook butter until amber colored with nutty fragrance, approximately 5-7 minutes.
Mix the Batter:
Blend wet ingredients thoroughly before gently incorporating dry ingredients.
Add Walnuts:
Fold in toasted nuts evenly without overmixing.
Bake to Perfection:
Edges should pull away slightly with center springing back when touched.
Sweet Banana Bread Brownies Pin it
Sweet Banana Bread Brownies | yummygusto.com

The browned butter component makes these brownies truly special. Its rich, nutty aroma fills the kitchen while baking, creating an inviting atmosphere that draws everyone to the kitchen.

Serving Suggestions

Serve these brownies alongside premium vanilla ice cream or hot spiced chai. For breakfast, warm slightly and top with Greek yogurt and a honey drizzle.

Variations

Customize the recipe by incorporating dark chocolate chunks, marbling with peanut butter, or adding toasted coconut. Quality gluten-free flour blends work well for dietary restrictions.

Storage Instructions

Keep brownies fresh in an airtight glass container with wax paper between layers. Maintains quality for four days at room temperature or freezes well for three months.

Close-up Banana Bread Brownies Recipe Pin it
Close-up Banana Bread Brownies Recipe | yummygusto.com

This recipe represents years of kitchen experience, transforming humble ingredients into an exceptional dessert. The combination of browned butter, toasted nuts, and sweet bananas creates the perfect balance of sophisticated flavor and homestyle comfort.

Frequently Asked Questions

→ How can I freeze these brownies?
Pop them into an airtight container with or without frosting, and they'll stay good in the freezer for up to 3 months. Let them thaw in the fridge overnight before serving.
→ Is there another nut I can use instead of walnuts?
Switch out walnuts for chocolate chunks, white chocolate pieces, or even peanut butter chips. Just use the same amount!
→ When will these brownies be done cooking?
Check for lightly browned edges and a clean toothpick when poked in the middle—usually around 22 to 25 minutes.
→ How long will these brownies stay good?
Keep them in a sealed container in the fridge, and they'll stay fresh for 3 days.
→ What makes browned butter frosting different?
The browned butter adds a nutty, rich taste, making it way more flavorful than regular frosting!

Brownies & Banana Bars

These treats unite the moist texture of banana bread and the decadent chewiness of brownies, topped with a luxurious browned butter frosting.

Prep Time
25 Minutes
Cook Time
22 Minutes
Total Time
47 Minutes
By: Sandra

Category: Sweet Treats

Difficulty: Intermediate

Cuisine: American

Yield: 16 Servings (16 brownies)

Dietary: Vegetarian

Ingredients

→ Banana Bread Brownies Base

01 6 tablespoons of butter, unsalted
02 1 cup of walnuts, raw and halved
03 1 cup of mashed bananas (about 3 medium ones)
04 ⅔ cup of honey
05 1 large egg
06 ⅓ cup of either light or dark brown sugar
07 2 teaspoons of vanilla (pure extract)
08 ¾ cup of regular all-purpose flour
09 1 teaspoon of baking powder
10 ¾ cup white whole wheat flour
11 ¼ teaspoon of kosher salt
12 ½ teaspoon of cinnamon powder
13 ¼ teaspoon of baking soda

→ Brown Butter Frosting

14 6 tablespoons of butter, unsalted
15 2 tablespoons of heavy cream, half-and-half, or another milk of your choice
16 1 and ½ cups of powdered sugar
17 1 teaspoon of vanilla (pure extract)

Instructions

Step 01

Turn your oven on to 350°F. Use parchment paper to cover an 8×8 pan, leaving some overhang on opposite edges so you can lift the brownies later, and spray it with cooking spray. Spread the walnut halves on a baking sheet with a rim and bake them for 8-10 minutes, stirring halfway until they smell toasty. Chop them into smaller pieces once cooled.

Step 02

In a big bowl, mash up the bananas. In a light-colored pan, heat butter on medium-low until it becomes golden brown (this might take about 3-5 minutes). It should smell nutty. Quickly add the browned butter to the bananas. Stir in the honey and sugar until it’s all smooth. Let that cool off a bit so it’s lukewarm, then whisk in the egg and vanilla.

Step 03

In another mixing bowl, stir together the dry ingredients. Gently fold this mixture into the wet banana mixture until you don’t see any more flour. Toss in the chopped nuts and fold those in too. Pour everything into your prepared pan, smoothing it out. Bake for 22-25 minutes until the edges look golden and a toothpick poked in the middle comes out clean.

Step 04

In the same pan, brown your butter again. Once it’s ready, take the pan off the stove and mix in the powdered sugar a little at a time. Add the cream as much as needed until it spreads nicely, and stir in the vanilla. Make sure your brownies are totally cool before frosting them.

Notes

  1. You can swap the walnuts for ⅔ cup chocolate chips, peanut butter chips, or white chocolate chips
  2. They’ll keep for up to 3 days in the fridge if stored in something airtight
  3. You can also freeze these brownies—frosted or plain—for up to 3 months

Tools You'll Need

  • Baking pan, 8×8 size
  • Parchment paper for lining
  • A baking sheet with sides
  • A light-colored saucepan to brown butter
  • Mixing bowls of different sizes
  • A whisk
  • A rubber spatula

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.
  • Includes nuts (walnuts)
  • Includes dairy (butter, cream)
  • Contains eggs
  • Made with wheat/gluten

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.
  • Calories: 290
  • Total Fat: 14 g
  • Total Carbohydrate: 40 g
  • Protein: 3 g