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Ultra-Moist Banana Bread Brownies with Optional Brown Butter Frosting

A close-up shot of a moist slice of banana bread brownies studded with chocolate chips and topped with a caramel-colored glaze.
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Bake moist, fudgy banana bread brownies that combine the best qualities of both classic desserts. This recipe includes instructions for a simple brown butter frosting.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, plus more for greasing
  • 1 3/4 cups granulated sugar
  • 3/4 cup packed light brown sugar
  • 4 large eggs
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 cup mashed very ripe bananas (about 3 medium)
  • 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
  • For Frosting: 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, 2 cups powdered sugar, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, 2-3 tablespoons milk

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line a 9×13 inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on the sides for easy removal.
  2. In a large saucepan, melt 1 cup of butter over medium heat. Continue cooking, swirling occasionally, until the butter foams and brown bits form at the bottom and it smells nutty (this is brown butter). Remove from heat and let cool slightly.
  3. In a large bowl, whisk together the cooled brown butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until smooth.
  4. Whisk in the eggs one at a time until fully incorporated. Stir in the vanilla extract and mashed bananas.
  5. In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, salt, and baking powder.
  6. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing only until just combined. Do not overmix.
  7. Fold in the chocolate chips.
  8. Pour the batter into the prepared baking pan and spread evenly.
  9. Bake for 28 to 35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out with moist crumbs attached, but not wet batter.
  10. Let the brownies cool completely in the pan on a wire rack before frosting.
  11. To make the frosting: Melt 1/2 cup of butter in a small saucepan until it browns, similar to step 2. Cool slightly.
  12. In a bowl, whisk the browned butter with the powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and milk until smooth and creamy. Add milk one tablespoon at a time to reach your desired spreading consistency.
  13. Spread the brown butter frosting evenly over the cooled brownies. Cut into squares.

Notes

  • Use very ripe bananas for the best flavor and moisture in your brownies.
  • For a fudgier texture, slightly underbake the brownies by about 2 minutes.
  • If you skip the frosting, you can sprinkle flaky sea salt over the top before baking for a flavor contrast.

Nutrition

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