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Ultra-Moist Banana Bread Brownies with Brown Butter Frosting

A rich, moist square of banana bread brownies topped with thick peanut butter frosting.
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Make the ultimate dessert mashup: incredibly moist banana bread brownies that combine the fudgy texture of a brownie with the sweet flavor of banana bread. Top these easy banana dessert bars with a rich brown butter frosting for a decadent treat.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter
  • 1 cup packed light brown sugar
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1 cup mashed very ripe bananas (about 3 medium)
  • 1/2 cup chocolate chips (optional)
  • For the Brown Butter Frosting: 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, 2 cups powdered sugar, 1/4 teaspoon salt, 2-3 tablespoons milk, 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line a 9×9 inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on two sides for easy removal.
  2. Melt the 1 cup of butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. Continue cooking, swirling occasionally, until the butter foams and brown bits form at the bottom, giving off a nutty aroma. Remove from heat immediately and set aside to cool slightly.
  3. In a large bowl, whisk together the slightly cooled brown butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until combined.
  4. Whisk in the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract.
  5. In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon.
  6. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing only until just combined. Do not overmix.
  7. Gently fold in the mashed bananas and chocolate chips, if using.
  8. Spread the batter evenly into the prepared baking pan.
  9. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out with moist crumbs attached, not wet batter.
  10. Let the brownies cool completely in the pan on a wire rack before frosting.
  11. To make the Brown Butter Frosting: Melt the 1/2 cup of butter in a small saucepan until browned bits form at the bottom. Pour the browned butter (including the bits) into a heatproof bowl and let it cool for about 10 minutes.
  12. Whisk the powdered sugar and salt into the cooled brown butter. Add the vanilla extract and 2 tablespoons of milk. Mix until smooth. Add the remaining milk, one teaspoon at a time, until you reach a spreadable consistency.
  13. Spread the frosting evenly over the cooled banana bread brownies. Cut into squares and serve.

Notes

  • Use bananas that are heavily spotted or almost black for the best moisture and sweetness in your banana bread brownies.
  • If you skip the brown butter frosting, a simple cream cheese frosting works well with these bars.
  • For a fudgier texture, slightly underbake the brownies by about 2 minutes.

Nutrition

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