Banana Bread Brownies: The Ultimate Dessert for Banana Lovers Recipe
These Banana Bread Brownies combine the moist sweetness of ripe bananas with the rich, fudgy flavor of classic brownies. Topped optionally with a crumbly, cinnamon-spiced streusel, this dessert is perfect for banana lovers craving a decadent yet comforting treat that’s easy to make and share.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 9 servings (one 8x8 inch pan, cut into 3x3 squares) 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
Brownie Base
- 2 ripe bananas (the riper, the better for sweetness)
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup cocoa powder (for that rich brownie flavor)
- 1/2 cup chocolate chips (optional, for extra indulgence)
Optional Crumb Topping
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, cold and cubed
- A pinch of cinnamon (optional, for extra flavor)
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven and Prepare the Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease an 8×8-inch square baking pan or line it with parchment paper to ensure easy removal of the brownies after baking.
- Mash the Bananas: In a large bowl, mash the ripe bananas until smooth, leaving a few small lumps for texture. Use a fork or potato masher, especially if the bananas are extra ripe to achieve an easy mash.
- Mix Wet Ingredients: Add the melted butter, granulated sugar, eggs, and vanilla extract to the mashed bananas. Stir thoroughly until all these wet ingredients are fully combined into a uniform mixture.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, salt, and cocoa powder. Gradually add this dry mixture to the wet ingredients in batches, stirring gently until just combined to prevent making the batter dense.
- Add Chocolate Chips (Optional): Fold in the chocolate chips carefully to add pockets of extra gooey chocolate throughout your brownies.
- Prepare the Crumb Topping (Optional): In a small bowl, combine flour, brown sugar, and cubed cold butter. Use a fork or pastry cutter to mix the ingredients until small crumbly pieces form. Optionally, add a pinch of cinnamon to enhance the flavor. Sprinkle this topping evenly over the brownie batter in the pan.
- Bake the Brownies: Pour the batter into the prepared pan and smooth the surface with a spatula. Bake the brownies at 350°F (175°C) for 30-35 minutes. Test by inserting a toothpick into the center; it should come out with a few moist crumbs but not wet batter, indicating they are perfectly baked yet soft inside.
- Cool and Serve: Let the brownies cool in the pan for at least 10 minutes before slicing into squares. Serve warm for a melty chocolate experience or at room temperature. Store leftovers in an airtight container to keep them fresh.
Notes
- Using very ripe bananas is key to naturally sweetening the brownies.
- Do not overmix the batter once the dry ingredients are added to avoid dense brownies.
- The crumb topping is optional but adds a delightful texture contrast.
- If avoiding chocolate chips, feel free to omit or substitute with nuts or dried fruit.
- Properly cooling the brownies before cutting helps maintain their structure.
- For extra fudginess, slightly reduce the flour by 2 tablespoons.
Keywords: Banana Bread Brownies, Banana Brownies, Chocolate Banana Dessert, Easy Brownies, Banana Dessert Recipe, Cocoa Banana Treat
