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Ultra-Moist Banana Bread Brownies with Brown Butter Frosting

A close-up of a moist square of banana bread brownies studded with chocolate chips and topped with creamy brown frosting.
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This recipe combines the moist, dense texture of banana bread with the rich, fudgy quality of brownies. It creates a decadent dessert bar perfect for satisfying a sweet craving.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, plus 2 tablespoons for frosting
  • 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
  • 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 1/2 cups mashed very ripe bananas (about 3 large)
  • 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips, divided
  • 1 cup powdered sugar, for frosting
  • 2 tablespoons milk or cream, for frosting

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. Melt 1 cup of butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Continue cooking, stirring occasionally, until the butter browns and nutty brown bits form at the bottom, about 5-7 minutes. Remove from heat and let cool slightly.
  3. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon. Set aside.
  4. In a large bowl, whisk the melted brown butter with the granulated sugar and brown sugar until combined. Whisk in the eggs one at a time, followed by the vanilla extract.
  5. Stir in the mashed bananas until just mixed.
  6. Add the cocoa powder to the wet ingredients and mix until mostly combined. Gently fold in the dry ingredients until just incorporated; do not overmix. Fold in 1/2 cup of the chocolate chips.
  7. Spread the batter evenly into the prepared baking pan. Sprinkle the remaining 1/2 cup of chocolate chips over the top.
  8. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out with moist crumbs attached, not wet batter.
  9. Let the brownies cool completely in the pan on a wire rack.
  10. Prepare the Brown Butter Frosting: Melt the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter until browned. Pour the browned butter into a small bowl and let it cool for 5 minutes. Whisk in the powdered sugar and milk until smooth.
  11. Once the brownies are completely cool, spread the brown butter frosting evenly over the top. Cut into bars.

Notes

  • Use bananas that are heavily spotted or nearly black for the best banana flavor in these banana bread brownies.
  • For a fudgier texture, slightly underbake the brownies by about 2 minutes.
  • If you prefer a different topping, substitute the brown butter frosting with a simple cream cheese frosting or a dusting of powdered sugar.

Nutrition

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