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Ultra-Moist Banana Bread Brownies with Brown Butter Frosting

Close-up of a rich, dark chocolate banana bread brownies square topped with peanut butter frosting and mini chocolate chips.
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Combine the comforting moisture of banana bread with the rich, fudgy texture of brownies. This recipe features a decadent brown butter frosting for an irresistible dessert fusion.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, plus more for greasing
  • 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
  • 1/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1 large egg, room temperature
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 cup mashed very ripe bananas (about 2-3 medium bananas)
  • 1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
  • 1 cup powdered sugar, sifted (for frosting)
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, for frosting
  • 1 teaspoon milk or cream (for frosting)

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line an 8×8 inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on two sides for easy removal.
  2. In a small saucepan over medium heat, melt the 1 cup of butter. Continue cooking, swirling occasionally, until the butter foams, then subsides, and brown bits form at the bottom, giving off a nutty aroma. This takes about 5-7 minutes. Remove from heat immediately and let cool slightly.
  3. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, brown sugar, granulated sugar, salt, baking powder, and cinnamon.
  4. Pour the slightly cooled brown butter into the dry ingredients. Whisk until just combined.
  5. Whisk in the egg and vanilla extract until the batter is smooth. Do not overmix.
  6. Gently fold in the mashed bananas and the chocolate chips until they are evenly distributed throughout the batter.
  7. Spread the batter evenly into the prepared baking pan.
  8. Bake for 28 to 32 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out with moist crumbs attached, but not wet batter. You want these fudgy, not cakey.
  9. Let the brownies cool completely in the pan on a wire rack. This is crucial for clean slicing.
  10. Prepare the Brown Butter Frosting: Melt the 2 tablespoons of butter in the same small saucepan used before, cooking until it browns and smells nutty. Pour this browned butter into a small heatproof bowl and let it cool for about 5 minutes.
  11. Whisk the powdered sugar and milk into the cooled brown butter until smooth. If the frosting is too thick, add a tiny bit more milk, a half teaspoon at a time.
  12. Once the brownies are completely cool, spread the brown butter frosting evenly over the top. Let the frosting set slightly before slicing into squares.

Notes

  • Use bananas that are heavily spotted or almost black for the best moisture and banana flavor in these banana bread brownies.
  • For an extra decadent treat, swirl a tablespoon of melted chocolate into the batter before baking.
  • If you prefer a less intense brown butter flavor in the frosting, use regular melted butter instead.

Nutrition

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