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Ultra-Moist Banana Bread Brownies with Brown Butter Cream Cheese Frosting

A close-up shot of a fudgy banana bread brownies square topped with thick white frosting and chocolate chips.
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This recipe merges the moist texture of banana bread with the fudgy richness of brownies. It is an easy way to use overripe bananas and results in decadent dessert bars topped with a nutty brown butter frosting.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, plus 2 tablespoons for frosting
  • 2 cups granulated sugar, plus 1/2 cup for frosting
  • 4 large eggs
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup mashed very ripe bananas (about 3 medium)
  • 1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
  • For the Brown Butter Cream Cheese Frosting:
  • 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
  • 2 tablespoons reserved butter, browned
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9×13 inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on the sides for easy removal.
  2. Melt 1 cup of butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Continue cooking, swirling occasionally, until the butter foams, then brown bits form at the bottom and it smells nutty. Immediately pour the brown butter into a large heatproof bowl, leaving any dark sediment behind. Stir in 2 cups of granulated sugar.
  3. Whisk the eggs into the brown butter and sugar mixture one at a time until fully combined. Stir in 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract.
  4. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt.
  5. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing only until just combined. Do not overmix.
  6. Gently fold in the mashed bananas and chocolate chips.
  7. Spread the batter evenly into the prepared pan. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out with moist crumbs attached, not wet batter.
  8. While the brownies cool, prepare the frosting. Brown the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter in a small saucepan until nutty. Let it cool slightly.
  9. In a medium bowl, beat the softened cream cheese until smooth. Beat in the cooled brown butter, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, and 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar until the frosting is light and creamy.
  10. Once the banana bread brownies are completely cool, spread the brown butter cream cheese frosting evenly over the top. Cut into squares.

Notes

  • Use bananas that are heavily spotted or nearly black for the best moisture and sweetness in this recipe.
  • For a chocolate swirl effect, reserve about 1/2 cup of the batter before adding the bananas, mix in 1 tablespoon of cocoa powder, then dollop this dark mixture over the main batter before baking.
  • If you skip browning the butter for the frosting, use 2 tablespoons of regular melted butter instead, but the flavor will be less complex.

Nutrition

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