Banana Bread Brownies: A Sweet Twist Every Banana Lover Craves
Banana bread brownies combine the best of both worlds: the moist, dense texture of banana bread and the fudgy richness of brownies. After making these many times, I’ve discovered the trick to getting that perfect, gooey center. Jump to the recipe card or keep reading for my best tips. If you love recipes like this, you’ll also enjoy Easy Blackberry Shortbread Wedges and Mushroom Tacos That Taste Like Heaven.
Why This Banana Bread Brownies: A Sweet Twist Every Banana Lover Craves Is Pure Comfort
- The perfect blend of banana bread and fudge brownies
- Easy to make with simple ingredients
- Better than takeout, a family favorite
- Moist and fudgy with a crispy top
What You'll Need for Banana Bread Brownies: A Sweet Twist Every Banana Lover Craves
Choosing the right ingredients makes a big difference, but this recipe is forgiving enough to work with what you have.
- bananas
- flour
- sugar
- eggs
- cocoa powder
- vanilla extract
- salt
- baking soda
- Optional: powdered sugar
- Optional: chocolate chips
- Optional: nuts
📝 Ingredient Notes
- bananas: Overripe bananas work best for this recipe.
- cocoa powder: Use unsweetened cocoa powder for a rich, chocolate flavor.
🛒 Tools & Equipment I Recommend
- KitchenAid Stand Mixer — Makes mixing batter a breeze → See on Amazon
- Silicone Baking Mats — Prevents sticking and ensures even baking → See on Amazon
How to Make Banana Bread Brownies: A Sweet Twist Every Banana Lover Craves
- Preheat oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9×9-inch baking dish.
- Mash bananas: Mash overripe bananas until smooth. You should have about 1.5 cups of mashed bananas.
- Mix dry ingredients: In a separate bowl, combine flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt.
- Combine wet and dry: In a large bowl, mix mashed bananas, eggs, and vanilla extract. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing just until combined.
- Bake: Pour the batter into the prepared baking dish and smooth the top. Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with a few moist crumbs attached.
- Cool and serve: Allow the brownies to cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then dust with powdered sugar before serving.
Cook's Tips for Perfect Banana Bread Brownies: A Sweet Twist Every Banana Lover Craves
- Common mistake and fix: Avoid overmixing the batter. This can lead to tough brownies. Mix just until combined.
- Pro tip: For a fudgier brownie, bake for a shorter time. For a cakier brownie, bake for a longer time.
- Pro tip: Store leftover brownies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
- Pro tip: Freeze leftover brownies for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature before serving.
Storing & Reheating Banana Bread Brownies: A Sweet Twist Every Banana Lover Craves
Short-Term Storage
Store in an airtight container in the fridge. Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. Make-ahead tip: Prepare the batter up to 1 day ahead. Store in the refrigerator and bake as directed.
Freezing Banana Bread Brownies: A Sweet Twist Every Banana Lover Craves
Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature before serving.
How to Reheat Without Drying It Out
Oven: Reheat in a 350°F (175°C) oven for 5-10 minutes. Microwave: Reheat in the microwave for 15-20 seconds.
Recipe Notes
- Chef tip: For a fun twist, add chocolate chips or nuts to the batter before baking.
- Best substitution: Substitute whole wheat flour for a healthier version.
- Make-ahead: Prepare the batter up to 1 day ahead. Store in the refrigerator and bake as directed.
- Scaling: This recipe can be doubled and baked in a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Troubleshooting: If the brownies are too dry, try adding a bit more mashed banana or a splash of milk to the batter.
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Good Grips Silicone Spatula — Perfect for mixing batter and scraping every last bit from the bowl → Check price on Amazon
Banana Bread Brownies: A Sweet Twist Every Banana Lover Craves
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- bananas
- flour
- sugar
- eggs
- cocoa powder
Seasonings
- vanilla extract
- salt
- baking soda
Optional Toppings
- powdered sugar
- chocolate chips
- nuts
Instructions
- Preheat oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9×9-inch baking dish.
- Mash bananas: Mash overripe bananas until smooth. You should have about 1.5 cups of mashed bananas.
- Mix dry ingredients: In a separate bowl, combine flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt.
- Combine wet and dry: In a large bowl, mix mashed bananas, eggs, and vanilla extract. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing just until combined.
- Bake: Pour the batter into the prepared baking dish and smooth the top. Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with a few moist crumbs attached.
- Cool and serve: Allow the brownies to cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then dust with powdered sugar before serving.
Notes
- Chef tip: For a fun twist, add chocolate chips or nuts to the batter before baking.
- Best substitution: Substitute whole wheat flour for a healthier version.
- Make-ahead: Prepare the batter up to 1 day ahead. Store in the refrigerator and bake as directed.
- Scaling: This recipe can be doubled and baked in a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Troubleshooting: If the brownies are too dry, try adding a bit more mashed banana or a splash of milk to the batter.
Storage
- Fridge: Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
- Freezer: Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature before serving.
- Oven reheat: Reheat in a 350°F (175°C) oven for 5-10 minutes.
- Microwave reheat: Reheat in the microwave for 15-20 seconds.
- Make ahead: Prepare the batter up to 1 day ahead. Store in the refrigerator and bake as directed.
Nutrition Per Serving
- Calories: 280
- Protein: 4g
- Fat: 8g
- Carbs: 45g
- Fiber: 3g
- Sugar: 25g
- Sodium: 150mg
- Cholesterol: 50mg
- Sat. Fat: 1.5g
Nutritional values are estimates only. Actual values may vary by brand and portion size.
Banana Bread Brownies: A Sweet Twist Every Banana Lover Craves FAQs
Yes, prepare the batter up to 1 day ahead. Store in the refrigerator and bake as directed.
This could be due to overbaking or not using overripe bananas. Try using overripe bananas and baking for a shorter time.
Yes, freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature before serving.
No, this recipe is not suitable for the air fryer.
You can substitute melted dark chocolate for cocoa powder in this recipe.
A Warm Final Note
I can’t wait for you to try Banana Bread Brownies: A Sweet Twist Every Banana Lover Craves and see how effortlessly it comes together. When you make it, pop back here and leave a rating or share how it turned out — I love hearing from you!
