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If you’re a banana and chocolate lover, then this recipe is sure to be your new go-to dessert. With just a few simple ingredients, you can create the perfect balance between banana bread and chocolatey goodness in this easy recipe for Banana Bread Brownies!
Welcome to the world of banana bread brownies! This recipe is a delicious combination of two classic desserts – banana bread and chocolate brownies! These are perfect for when you’re craving both banana bread and chocolate but don’t want to make two separate recipes.
The texture is like a rich fudgy brownie with a soft classic banana bread- you will totally love them!
I made this recipes 3 or 4 times before getting it right. It wasnt necessarily the ingredients that were off but more of the way I was making them. First I swirled the batters together but that ended up in a greasy mess. I then realized that I need to layer the batters and dollop the brownies- recipe success!
As a trained pastry chef, creating this recipe made me a little crazy, but the satisfaction from making it work in the end is just the best!
Whats great about this recipe is that you make only one base batter and then divide it in half to make the other brownie and banana bread layers. No need to make two separate recipes!
If you’re a chocolate lover and are also into bananas then you should definitely try my banana brownies, as well as these top rated, 5 star banana chocolate chip muffins!
If brownies are more your thing, try these brownies with cream cheese frosting, or these triple chocolate brownies!
WHY YOU SHOULD MAKE THIS RECIPE
- You can have two of your favorite desserts in one!
- You can make these with just a few simple ingredients in no time at all!
- These brownies are great for breakfast or dessert so you can enjoy them any time of day.
- They’re a great way to use up overripe bananas so that you won’t waste any ingredients.
INGREDIENTS NEEDED
- Unsalted Butter – This serves as the oil in the brownies, which gives them a moist texture and buttery flavor.
- Granulated Sugar – This adds sweetness to the banana bread brownies along with the mashed banana.
- Eggs – Eggs bind all of the ingredients together, creating a smooth batter consistency.
- Vanilla Extract – Gives the brownies a fragrant and delicious vanilla aroma.
- All-purpose Flour – This helps to bind the ingredients together, as well as gives banana bread brownies structure.
- Baking Powder – This helps give banana bread brownies a fluffy texture by creating air pockets in the batter.
- Salt – Salt enhances all of the flavors in banana bread brownies and brings out the sweetness.
- Chocolate Chips – Chocolate chips add a burst of sweet chocolate flavor. I like to use semi sweet chocolate for this recipe.
- Cocoa – Blends in well with the batter, enhancing the chocolate flavor.
- Ripe Bananas – These are essential to the recipe adding a moist texture and naturally sweet banana flavor.
Why bananas are so great to bake with
Bananas add a natural sweetness and moisture to any baking recipe, making them an ideal ingredient for brownies. The spottier they are, the sweeter they are! They’re also a great way to use up overripe bananas.
HOW TO MAKE BANANA BREAD BROWNIES
Prepare for baking: Preheat the oven to 325° F and line an 8×8 inch pan with parchment paper or spray with nonstick baking spray. Set aside while you make the brownie batter. The brownies are baked on a lower temperature so the edges dont burn because the bake time is longer than traditional brownies.
Combine the wet ingredients: Melt the butter in the microwave. Then, add the sugar, eggs, egg yolk, and vanilla extract. Mix using an electric mixer like a hand mixer or a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment. Whip until the mixture is foamy. This should take about two minutes.
Add the dry ingredients and separate: To the wet ingredients, add the flour and salt. Stir gently just until combined, and there are no dry streaks of flour in the batter. Divide the batter into two bowls that have approximately 330g of batter each.
Make the banana batter: To one bowl, add the mashed bananas along with the baking powder and mix until well combined.
Make the brownie batter: To the other bowl, add the cocoa powder and mix until fully combined.
Assemble the brownies: Pour half of the brownie batter into the bottom of the prepared baking pan. Then pour the banana batter on top. Dollop the rest of the brownie batter on top, then swirl lightly or keep it dolloped. Add chocolate chips to the top if using.
Bake and cool: Bake the brownies for 45-50 minutes at 325°. Remove from the oven and let cool completely before slicing and frosting. Enjoy!
TIPS FOR RECIPE SUCCESS
- For best results, use a kitchen scale when dividing the batter. This will help ensure that both parts of the banana bread brownies have a similar texture and look.
- It is important to measure the ingredients correctly. Too much flour can make banana bread brownies dry, while too little will make them dense.
- Make sure your banana is ripe enough for banana bread brownies, as this contributes to sweetness, flavor, and moisture. An unripe banana might not be sweet enough and will give banana bread brownies a bitter taste.
- This brownie recipe is baked at a lower temperature, as a higher temperature can cause the edges to burn too quickly.
- Let the brownies cool completely to set before slicing and frosting.
- To change up the texture and flavor, mix in other ingredients like nuts, shredded coconut, or your favorite dried fruit!
STORAGE AND FREEZING
Once the brownies are cooled, store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
Banana bread brownies can be frozen and stored in a resealable bag or airtight container for up to 3 months. To defrost, let banana bread brownies come back to room temperature before serving.
FAQ
How do you know when brownies are finished baking?
When brownies are done baking, the edges will be golden brown, and a pick inserted into the center should come out clean.
How do you know if a banana is ripe enough for baking?
A ripe banana should be yellow with a few brown spots and have a sweet smell. It should also be soft to the touch without being mushy. Ripe banana is key for banana bread brownies as it adds moisture and sweetness.
Are banana bread brownies gluten-free?
This recipe can easily be made gluten-free by using a gluten-free flour blend. Replace the regular all-purpose flour with a gluten-free all-purpose flour mix, and you will have banana bread brownies that are both moist and delicious!
MORE DELICIOUS BROWNIE RECIPES
These are great by themselves, or they can be even better with the addition of frosting! Try our favorites below:
Moist And Easy Banana Bread Brownies
Ingredients
- ¾ cup unsalted butter melted.
- 1 ⅓ cup white sugar 267g
- 3 eggs +1 yolk
- 1 tbsp vanilla extract
- ¾ cup flour 90g
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ cup cocoa 50g
- 2 bananas mashed
- ½ tsp baking powder
- ½ cup chocolate chips (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 325° F and line an 8×8 inch pan with parchment paper or spray with nonstick baking spray.
- In a microwave safe bowl melt the ¾ cup unsalted butter. Add the 1 ⅓ sugar, 3 eggs, 1 yolk, and 1 tbsp vanilla extract. Using an electric mixer (either a hand or stand mixer fitted with the whip attachment) mix for 2 minutes until foamy. You can also just use a whisk.
- Add the ¾ cup flour, and ½ tsp salt and mix to combine.
- Separate the batter equally measuring about 320g -330g each.
- To one bowl add the ½ cup cocoa powder and mix to combine well. Add the mashed bananas and the ½ tsp baking powder to the other bowl and mix well.
- Add half of the brownie batter to the bottom of the prepared pan.
- Pour all of the banana bread batter on top of the brownies.
- Dollop the rest of the brownie batter on top. Swirl VERY lightly or not at all. Add chocolate chips on top if you want!
- Bake at 325° for 45- 50 minutes. Remove and let cool completely.
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