Banana Bread Brownies Recipe

Banana Bread Brownies Recipe Fusion of Classics

Whipping up some decadent banana bread brownies can transform an ordinary afternoon into a delightful culinary adventure.

Chocolate lovers will adore this unexpected twist on classic treats.

Rich, moist layers combine the comfort of ripe bananas with intense cocoa depths.

Each bite promises a symphony of sweet and indulgent flavors that dance across your palate.

Crumbly edges give way to a tender, fudgy center that melts perfectly in your mouth.

Weekend baking just got way more exciting with this irresistible fusion dessert.

You won’t be able to resist cutting a generous slice and savoring every delicious moment.

Banana Bread Brownie FAQs

  • Can I make this recipe gluten-free?

Yes, simply substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend. Ensure the blend contains xanthan gum for better texture and binding.

  • How ripe should my bananas be?

Use very ripe bananas with dark brown or black spots. These provide maximum sweetness and create a more intense banana flavor in the brownies.

  • What if I don't have cinnamon?

You can skip the cinnamon or replace it with nutmeg or a pumpkin pie spice blend. The spice adds warmth but isn’t critical to the recipe’s success.

  • Can I reduce the sugar in this recipe?

Cutting sugar by 25% is possible without significantly affecting the texture. However, too much reduction might impact the brownie’s moisture and caramelization.

What Makes Banana Bread Brownies So Comforting

  • Appealing to both kids and adults, this recipe transforms classic banana bread into a rich, indulgent brownie-style treat that satisfies diverse taste preferences.
  • Minimal ingredients and simple mixing technique make this recipe beginner-friendly, allowing even novice bakers to create a delicious homemade dessert with minimal effort.
  • Easily personalize the brownies by adding chocolate chips, nuts, or exploring different spice variations, making each batch unique and exciting.

Banana Bread Brownies Ingredient Rundown

Wet Ingredients:
  • Butter: Adds richness and creates a smooth, moist texture for the brownies.
  • Brown Sugar, Granulated Sugar: Provide sweetness and help create a soft, tender crumb.

Eggs: Bind ingredients together and add structure to the batter.

  • Vanilla Extract: Enhances overall flavor with warm, sweet notes.
  • Mashed Bananas: Contribute moisture, natural sweetness, and dense texture.
Dry Ingredients:
  • All-Purpose Flour: Forms the base structure of the brownies.
  • Baking Powder: Helps brownies rise and creates a light texture.
  • Salt: Balances sweetness and enhances other flavors.
  • Ground Cinnamon: Adds warm, aromatic spice that complements banana flavor.
Optional Mix-Ins:
  • Chocolate Chips, Nuts: Provide extra texture and flavor variations. Dark, milk, or semi-sweet chocolate chips work well. Choose walnuts or pecans for added crunch.

How to Bake Banana Bread Brownies

Step 1: Prepare Baking Setup

Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grab an 8×8-inch baking pan and line it with parchment paper, making sure the paper hangs over the sides for easy removal.

Step 2: Create Smooth Sugar Base

In a spacious mixing bowl, blend:
  • Melted butter
  • Brown sugar
  • Granulated sugar

Whisk these ingredients until they transform into a silky, uniform mixture.

Step 3: Incorporate Moisture Makers

Gently fold into the sugar mixture:
  • Eggs
  • Vanilla extract
  • Ripe mashed bananas

Mix thoroughly until everything looks beautifully combined.

Step 4: Mix Dry Ingredient Blend

In a separate bowl, whisk together:
  • All-purpose flour
  • Baking powder
  • Salt
  • Ground cinnamon

Step 5: Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients

Slowly incorporate the dry ingredients into the wet mixture. Stir gently until just combined- avoid overmixing.

Step 6: Add Extra Deliciousness

If desired, fold in:
  • Chocolate chips
  • Chopped nuts

Step 7: Bake to Perfection

Pour the batter into the prepared pan. Spread evenly and bake for 25-30 minutes. The brownies are done when a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with a few moist crumbs.

Step 8: Cool and Slice

Allow the brownies to cool completely in the pan. Use the parchment paper edges to lift out the entire batch, then slice into delectable squares.

Banana Brownie Tips for the Best Texture

  • Perfectly Ripe Bananas: Use overripe, spotty bananas for maximum sweetness and intense banana flavor that enhances the entire brownie texture.
  • Prevent Dry Brownies: Avoid overmixing the batter, which can lead to tough, dry brownies; stir ingredients until just combined for a tender, moist result.
  • Customize Mix-Ins: Experiment with walnuts, pecans, dark chocolate chips, or white chocolate chips to add delightful crunch and extra flavor layers.
  • Gluten-Free Alternative: Swap regular flour with gluten-free all-purpose flour blend for a celiac-friendly version without compromising taste and texture.
  • Storage Hack: Store brownies in an airtight container at room temperature for 3-4 days or refrigerate for up to a week to maintain freshness and moisture.

Storing Banana Bread Brownies for Later

  • Store cooled banana bread brownies in an airtight container for up to 5 days. Wrap tightly with plastic wrap or place in a sealed container to maintain moisture.
  • Place individual brownies or the entire batch in a freezer-safe container. Wrap each piece separately in plastic wrap, then aluminum foil. Freeze for up to 3 months for best quality.
  • Remove frozen brownies from the freezer and let sit at room temperature for 1-2 hours. Alternatively, microwave individual pieces for 15-20 seconds to restore softness.
  • Warm refrigerated or thawed brownies in the microwave for 10-15 seconds. For a crisp texture, briefly toast in a preheated oven at 300°F for 3-4 minutes.

What Goes with Banana Bread Brownies

  • Brew a smooth, rich vanilla-infused coffee that complements the warm, sweet banana bread brownie flavors.
  • Scoop a generous helping of salted caramel ice cream alongside the brownie to enhance its richness and add a cool contrast.
  • Prepare a warm, aromatic chai latte with hints of cinnamon and cardamom that echo the brownie's spicy undertones.
  • Garnish the brownie with lightly toasted pecans to add a nutty crunch and boost the dessert's overall texture.

Banana Bread Brownie Versions You Can Try

  • Gluten-Free Banana Bread Brownies: Replace regular flour with almond flour or gluten-free flour blend to create a celiac-friendly version that maintains the same rich, moist texture.
  • Vegan Banana Bread Brownies: Swap eggs with flax eggs or mashed banana, use coconut oil instead of butter, and choose dairy-free chocolate chips for a plant-based alternative.
  • Reduced Sugar Banana Bread Brownies: Substitute half the sugar with monk fruit sweetener or stevia, and increase banana quantity to maintain natural sweetness while cutting down on refined sugars.
  • Protein-Packed Banana Bread Brownies: Mix in a scoop of vanilla protein powder and add chopped walnuts to boost protein content, making it a more nutritious post-workout treat.
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Banana Bread Brownies Recipe

Banana Bread Brownies Recipe


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4.7 from 8 reviews

  • Total Time: 40 minutes
  • Yield: 16 1x

Description

Sweet banana bread meets rich chocolate brownie in this irresistible dessert mashup. Creamy bananas and fudgy chocolate combine for a melt-in-your-mouth treat you’ll crave again and again.


Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients:

  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 cup mashed bananas (about 2 medium bananas)
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • ½ cup chocolate chips or chopped nuts (optional)

Sweeteners and Sugars:

  • ¾ cup light brown sugar, packed
  • ¼ cup granulated sugar
  • 1 cup powdered sugar

Fats, Liquids, and Seasonings:

  • 1 stick (½ cup) unsalted butter, melted
  • ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 2 tablespoons milk or heavy cream
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
  • ½ teaspoon baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon cinnamon (optional)

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and prepare an 8×8-inch baking pan by lining it with parchment paper or lightly greasing the surface.
  2. In a spacious mixing bowl, vigorously whisk the melted butter together with brown and granulated sugars until the mixture becomes smooth and fully integrated.
  3. Incorporate the eggs, vanilla extract, and thoroughly mashed bananas into the sugar mixture, stirring until all ingredients are perfectly blended.
  4. Separately, combine the flour, baking powder, salt, and ground cinnamon in another bowl, ensuring even distribution of the dry ingredients.
  5. Delicately fold the dry ingredient mixture into the wet ingredients, using gentle strokes to prevent overmixing and maintain a tender texture.
  6. For additional complexity, gently fold in chocolate chips or chopped nuts throughout the batter, distributing them evenly for consistent flavor and texture.
  7. Transfer the batter to the prepared baking pan, spreading it uniformly to ensure consistent baking and a smooth surface.
  8. Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for approximately 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center emerges with just a few moist crumbs.
  9. Remove from the oven and allow the banana bread brownies to cool completely in the pan before cutting into squares for serving.

Notes

  • Opt for very ripe, almost black bananas to maximize natural sweetness and ensure a rich, moist texture in your brownies.
  • Avoid overmixing the batter, which can create tough, dense brownies; gently fold ingredients until just combined for a tender crumb.
  • Consider using gluten-free flour blend as a direct substitute to make these brownies accessible for those with gluten sensitivities.
  • Toast nuts or chocolate chips briefly before adding to the batter to enhance their flavor and add a delightful crunch to the final dessert.
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 30 minutes
  • Category: Breakfast, Snacks, Desserts
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 16
  • Calories: 210
  • Sugar: 18 g
  • Sodium: 150 mg
  • Fat: 9 g
  • Saturated Fat: 5 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 30 g
  • Fiber: 1 g
  • Protein: 2 g
  • Cholesterol: 40 mg
Jamie Granger

Jamie Granger

Recipe Developer & Food Writer

Expertise

  • Fusion Cuisine Development
  • Recipe Development and Food Styling
  • Culinary Writing and Content Creation
  • Nutrition and Healthy Cooking​

Education

Culinary Institute of America

  • Degree: Associate in Culinary Arts
  • Focus: Emphasis on flavor development, classic and contemporary culinary techniques, menu design, and global cuisine preparation; combined with food-service management, communication, and finance training; and immersive hands‑on restaurant operations through paid industry internships.

Jamie Granger turns ingredients into memories. With her recipes, she brings a fusion-forward flair to every creation. 

Her dishes reflect the places she’s explored, the chefs she’s learned from, and the deep connection she has to food as a form of expression. 

At Pass and Provision, Jamie develops recipes that balance flavor, health, and beauty, meals that don’t just satisfy your appetite but speak to your curiosity.

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