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Ultimate Moist Banana Bread Brownies with Brown Butter Frosting

Two squares of rich banana bread brownies topped with a thick layer of gooey caramel frosting.
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Make the perfect dessert fusion by combining the moist texture of banana bread with the rich, fudgy quality of brownies. This recipe includes a simple, decadent brown butter frosting.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, plus more for greasing
  • 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1 cup mashed very ripe bananas (about 2–3 medium bananas)
  • 1/2 cup chocolate chips (optional)
  • 1/2 cup powdered sugar (for frosting)
  • 2 tablespoons melted butter (for frosting)
  • 1 tablespoon milk or cream (for frosting)

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line a 9×9 inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang for easy removal.
  2. In a medium saucepan, melt 1/2 cup of the butter over medium heat. Continue cooking, swirling occasionally, until the butter foams, then brown bits form at the bottom and it smells nutty. Remove from heat immediately and pour into a heatproof bowl to cool slightly.
  3. In a large bowl, whisk together the cooled brown butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until combined.
  4. Whisk in the eggs one at a time until fully incorporated. Stir in the vanilla extract.
  5. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon.
  6. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. Do not overmix.
  7. Gently fold in the mashed bananas and chocolate chips, if using.
  8. Spread the batter evenly into the prepared baking pan.
  9. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out with moist crumbs attached, not wet batter.
  10. Let the brownies cool completely in the pan on a wire rack.
  11. To make the frosting, melt the remaining 1/2 cup butter and cook until brown bits form, similar to step 2. Let cool for 5 minutes.
  12. Whisk the powdered sugar, cooled brown butter, and milk together until smooth. If the frosting is too thick, add milk 1 teaspoon at a time.
  13. Spread the brown butter frosting evenly over the cooled brownies. Cut into squares before serving.

Notes

  • Use bananas that are heavily spotted or almost black for the best moisture and flavor in your banana bread brownies.
  • For a fudgier texture, slightly underbake the brownies by 2-3 minutes.
  • If you skip the frosting, these are excellent as simple, moist banana bread bars.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://cookingzenith.com/banana-bread-brownies/