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A pan of banana bread brownies topped with a fluffy brown butter frosting and a dusting of cinnamon is our favorite way to use ripe bananas!
Frosted banana brownies
We love some sweet bread, so why not take one of our favorites (Banana Bread) and make it a brownie!
We even slathered it with frosting (yum)! Admittedly these banana bread brownies are less like a brownie and more like bread in bar form. But we still think they’re delicious, and the frosting DOES make them more bar-like. Plus that frosting has a hint of cinnamon for good measure!
This recipe makes an entire pan, so they’re perfect for sharing and because of the added sweetness, they easily pass as a dessert. They’re extremely similar to our beloved Banana Bars and a favorite way to use up overly ripe bananas!
WHY WE LOVE IT:
- The frosting!!! Everything is better with frosting. And ours has a hint of cinnamon to make it even more delicious.
- A pan to share. This makes a 9×13 pan-full, perfect for sharing. It serves at least 12 depending on how you cut it!
- BEST way to use up overly ripe bananas. You may find yourself saving your bananas on purpose to make this recipe!
Ingredients
PREP TIME: 20 minutes
COOK TIME: 35 minutes
Banana Brownies
- 1½ cups granulated sugar
- ½ cup butter, softened – see How to Soften Butter Quickly
- 1 cup sour cream – or plain Greek yogurt
- 2 large eggs – room temperature
- 3-4 very ripe bananas, mashed – The banana peel should be covered with brown and be very soft to the touch. See How to Ripen Bananas.
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2 cups all-purpose flour – see How to Measure Flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ¾ teaspoon salt
Brown Butter Frosting
- ½ cup butter – We used unsalted butter but salted can be used as well.
- 3 cups powdered sugar – sifted
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¼ cup milk or half and half
- cinnamon
- optional toppings – chopped walnuts or pecans, a drizzle of Caramel Sauce, chocolate chips, or sliced bananas (add right before serving otherwise they’ll brown)
How to Make Banana Bread Brownies
- PREP. Preheat the oven to 375°F. Grease a 9 x 13 baking dish with cooking spray, or Line the Pan with Parchment Paper.
- BATTER. In a large bowl, beat 1½ cups sugar and ½ cup softened butter. Add the 1 cup sour cream, 2 eggs, 3-4 very ripe mashed bananas, and 2 teaspoons vanilla, and blend until smooth. Stir in 2 cups flour, 1 teaspoon baking soda, and ¾ teaspoon salt, and mix to combine.
- BAKE. Pour the mixture into the prepared pan. Bake 35-40 minutes, until the banana bread brownies are lightly browned on top and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Let cool completely before frosting.
- FROSTING. Add ½ cup butter to a medium skillet. Heat butter over medium-low heat, stirring gently, until foamy. Watch carefully for the butter to turn a light golden brown color, then remove from heat and immediately pour the butter into a large bowl or the bowl of a stand mixer.
- Add 3 cups powdered sugar and 1 teaspoon vanilla to the bowl, and mix to combine. With the mixer on low speed, add ¼ cup milk to form a smooth and creamy frosting.
- Beat on high speed for 3-5 minutes, until light and fluffy. Spread the frosting over the cooled brownies, then sprinkle with cinnamon.
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Banana Bread Brownies
Equipment
Ingredients
Brownies
- 1½ cups sugar
- ½ cup butter, softened
- 1 cup sour cream
- 2 large eggs
- 3-4 ripe bananas, mashed
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ¾ teaspoon salt
Frosting
- ½ cup butter
- 3 cups powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¼ cup milk or half and half
- cinnamon
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F. Grease or line with parchment a 9×13 baking pan.
- In a large bowl, beat the sugar and butter. Add the sour cream, eggs, mashed bananas, and vanilla, and blend until smooth. Add the flour, baking soda, and salt, and mix to combine.
- Pour the mixture into the prepared pan. Bake 35-40 minutes, until the brownies are lightly browned on top and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Let cool completely before frosting.
Frosting
- Add the butter to a medium skillet. Melt the butter over medium-low heat, stirring gently, until foamy. Watch carefully for the butter to turn a light brown color, then remove from heat and immediately pour the butter into a large bowl or the bowl of a stand mixer.
- Add the powdered sugar and vanilla to the bowl, and mix to combine. With the mixer on low speed, add the milk to form a smooth and creamy frosting. Beat on high speed for 3-5 minutes, until light and fluffy. Spread the frosting over the cooled brownies, then sprinkle with cinnamon.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Recipe FAQ
If frosted, set the frosting by placing the bars in the freezer for a couple of hours. Wrap the bars in plastic wrap and again with foil. Store in the freezer for up to 3 months. Unwrap and thaw.
Store frosted brownies covered or in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
This is really good!! Everyone at my house loved these brownies!
Thank you so much for this amazing banana bread brownies recipe! Tasted really delicious and very easy to make! Highly recommended!
Ok I could not stop eating this, how is it so addicting?! This recipe is incredible, I will definitely be using it over and over again!
Thank you!! So glad you loved the brownies!
I love making banana bread with my overripe bananas. I don’t think it’s quite the fudgy texture of a brownie, but it’s not cakey like bread either. Overall it was really good and a delicious alternative to traditional banana bread.
Why have I not made these sooner?? They are to die for!! Loving the frosting on too. It takes these to a whole new level!
We love banana bread. This version is served brownie style with a creamy frosting.