Name: Banana Bread Brownies
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: PT-484290H4M23S
Total time: PT-484290H4M23S
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 3 ripe bananas (the riper, the better); 2 eggs; 1/2 cup butter, softened; 1 cup sugar; 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour; 1 tsp baking soda; 1/4 cup cocoa powder; 1 tsp vanilla extract; 1/4 tsp salt

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Short Description

Banana Bread Brownies are the perfect mix between a rich, fudgy brownie and a comforting banana bread. With their moist, tender texture and the deep flavor of ripe bananas, these treats are a must-try for anyone who loves both banana bread and chocolate.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe?

If you’re a fan of banana bread and brownies, you’re in for a real treat. This recipe brings the best of both worlds into one delightful dessert. Imagine the sweet, nutty flavor of banana bread paired with the indulgent, rich fudginess of brownies—each bite is pure bliss. Plus, it’s so easy to make, and the bananas give it a unique depth of flavor that you won’t find in typical brownies. It’s the perfect way to use up those overripe bananas hanging around on your counter.

Ingredients

Here are the main ingredients for your Banana Bread Brownies. (For the full list of ingredients, check the section below!)

Ripe bananas (the riper, the better)
Eggs
Butter
Sugar
All-purpose flour
Baking soda
Cocoa powder
Vanilla extract
Salt

Directions

1. Preheat and Prepare Your Pan

Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). You want the oven to be nice and hot so your brownies bake evenly. Next, grease a 9×9-inch baking pan or line it with parchment paper. This will prevent your banana bread brownies from sticking to the pan, making them easier to remove once they’re done.

2. Mash the Bananas

Take your ripe bananas and mash them up in a bowl. You can use a fork or a potato masher for this—whatever works! Aim for a smooth consistency, but a few small chunks are fine. The riper the bananas, the sweeter and more flavorful your brownies will be.

3. Mix Wet Ingredients

In a large mixing bowl, cream together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. You can do this with a hand mixer or by hand with a whisk. Once the butter and sugar are combined, beat in the eggs one at a time, then add the mashed bananas and vanilla extract. Stir everything together until it’s well mixed.

4. Add Dry Ingredients

In another bowl, sift together your dry ingredients: flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt. Slowly add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, stirring just until combined. Don’t overmix, or your brownies might turn out tough.

5. Bake!

Pour the batter into your prepared pan and spread it out evenly. Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean (with maybe a few moist crumbs attached). Keep an eye on the brownies, as ovens vary.

6. Cool and Serve

Let the Banana Bread Brownies cool in the pan for about 10 minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely. Once they’re cool, cut them into squares and enjoy!

Expert Tips and Tricks

Banana Ripeness: The riper your bananas, the better the flavor. Overripe bananas with brown spots will give your brownies the best sweetness and texture.
Don’t Overmix: When adding the dry ingredients to the wet, be gentle. Overmixing will lead to dense, tough brownies.
Add-ins: Feel free to throw in some chocolate chips or chopped nuts for extra texture and flavor. Walnuts or pecans would be delicious!

Recipe Variations and Possible Substitutions

Gluten-Free: You can easily make these brownies gluten-free by swapping the all-purpose flour for a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend.
Vegan: To make these brownies vegan, substitute the eggs with flax eggs (1 tablespoon ground flaxseed + 3 tablespoons water per egg) and use dairy-free butter.
Nut-Free: If you’re allergic to nuts, simply skip them or use a nut-free chocolate chip instead.

Serving and Pairing Suggestions

These Banana Bread Brownies are perfect on their own with a warm cup of coffee or tea. You can also serve them with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for an extra indulgent dessert. For a more tropical vibe, pair them with fresh fruit like sliced strawberries or pineapple.

Storage and Reheating Tips

Store any leftover Banana Bread Brownies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. If you want to keep them longer, you can freeze them for up to 2 months. Just make sure to wrap them well in plastic wrap and then foil. To reheat, microwave for about 10-15 seconds for that fresh-from-the-oven taste.

4 FAQs

1. Can I use frozen bananas for this recipe?
Yes, you can! Just make sure to thaw the frozen bananas completely and drain any excess liquid before mashing.

2. Can I add chocolate chips to this recipe?
Absolutely! Chocolate chips would be a delicious addition. Stir in about 1/2 cup of mini or regular chocolate chips when mixing the dry ingredients.

3. Can I make these brownies without eggs?
Yes! You can use flax eggs or a store-bought egg replacement to make these brownies vegan-friendly.

4. Can I double this recipe?
Yes, you can double the recipe and bake it in a 9×13-inch pan. Just be sure to adjust the baking time, as it may take a bit longer to cook through.

Conclusion

These Banana Bread Brownies are everything you could want in a dessert: sweet, rich, and oh-so-indulgent. Perfect for using up those overripe bananas or just satisfying your sweet tooth, they’re sure to be a hit with anyone who tries them. Whether you’re sharing them at a gathering or enjoying them on your own, you won’t be disappointed!

Banana Bread Brownies

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Author: Emily
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 30-35 minutes
Total Time: 45-50 minutes
Yield: 12 servings 1x
Category: Dessert, Baking
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American
Diet: Vegetarian

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Description

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×9-inch baking pan or line it with parchment paper.
Mash the bananas until smooth but with a few small chunks remaining.
Cream together butter and sugar in a mixing bowl until light and fluffy. Beat in eggs one at a time, then add mashed bananas and vanilla extract. Mix well.
In a separate bowl, sift together flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt. Gradually stir the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients until just combined.
Pour the batter into the prepared pan, spreading evenly. Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
Let the brownies cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely. Cut into squares and serve.