banana bread brownies recipe (fudgy and easy!)

these banana bread brownies combine the best of both worlds – the rich, fudgy texture of dark chocolate brownies with the sweet, comforting flavour of banana bread. this irresistible banana bread brownies recipe creates the perfect dessert that tastes better from scratch than any box mix version!

why you will love these dark chocolate banana bread brownies

• easy recipe – this easy banana bread brownies recipe uses very simple techniques, creating moist banana bread brownies that are the perfect mix of both banana bread and brownies. unlike banana bread brownies with brownie mix or cake mix, this homemade version gives you complete control over flavour and texture. this recipe is very similar to a typical brownie recipe, just with a few extra steps. for that reason, this recipe is perfect for bakers of all levels! the hardest thing about this banana bread brownies recipe is browning the butter, which is a lot easier than it seems.

• simple ingredients – this homemade banana bread brownies recipe doesn’t require any special equipment or hard-to-find ingredients. i make these banana bread brownies without sour cream or yogurt (a typical ingredient use in lots of banana bread recipes) because you absolutely don’t need any complicated ingredients to make these – just ripe bananas in brownies will add natural moisture and sweetness that helps make the nicest banana bread brownies!

• customisable – this banana bread brownies recipe is perfect as a base that can be customised with different mix-ins like extra chocolate chips, nuts or even a cream cheese swirl. they’re perfect for baking in an 8×8 inch pan for thick, fudgy results, and they can also be easily topped with some kind of frosting like brown butter frosting or brown sugar frosting if you’d like something extra on top!

learn how to make banana bread brownies

these banana bread chocolate brownies can be made in just a few easy steps! we’re going to start off by browning butter to add that nutty, caramelised flavour that pairs perfectly with bananas. after browning it, we’ll be mixing it with dark chocolate and cocoa powder. we’ll mix these together until the chocolate melts with the hot butter and you get a smooth and glossy chocolate mixture. then we’ll set this aside. in another bowl, we’ll whisk together eggs, brown sugar, granulated and vanilla. mash a ripe banana until smooth and whisk this into the sugar mixture as well. then, we’ll add the melted chocolate and brown butter mix, as well as flour and salt until a thick batter forms. add some extra chocolate chunks or chocolate chips as well as some walnuts (optional), top with more chocolate chips before baking, then bake until the banana bread brownies are fudgy on the inside with a crackly top.

banana bread brownies ingredients

• butter – i use unsalted butter for these banana bread brownies. you are also welcome to use salted butter, but i would recommend skipping the extra salt in this recipe. we’re going to be browning the butter for these banana bread brownies to add an extra nutty, caramel-like depth of flavour that will perfectly complement the fudginess of these brownies as well as the banana flavour. brown butter in brownies generally doesn’t add a very strong flavour since the taste of chocolate is quite rich and deep. so this is perfect if you just want a tiny bit of extra depth in your brownies without having too much of a strong brown butter taste.

• dark chocolate – i use dark chocolate in these banana bread brownies for a rich, deep chocolate flavour that isn’t overly sweet. the dark chocolate provides the perfect balance to the sweetness of these brownies and pairs perfectly with the banana and the caramel-like taste of the brown butter. i personally wouldn’t recommend using milk chocolate in these brownies as the brownies will be too sweet, but if you’re really not a fan of dark chocolate, you can use semi-sweet chocolate instead.

• cocoa powder – i make these banana bread brownies with unsweetened cocoa powder. we’re going to add the cocoa powder with the dark chocolate and brown butter instead of adding it to dry ingredients. the hot brown butter will bloom the cocoa powder and give these banana bread brownies a richer chocolate flavour.

• eggs – this banana bread brownies recipe uses 2 large eggs. make sure your eggs are at room temperature so that they mix easily with the rest of the ingredients.

• brown sugar – i used light brown soft sugar for this recipe for these banana bread brownies. brown sugar adds moisture and a deeper molasses-like sweetness that works perfectly in banana bread brownies. it also helps create that fudgy brownie texture we’re after.

• granulated sugar – this banana bread brownies recipe uses a mix of granulated sugar and brown sugar for the perfect balance of flavour and texture. we’ll be whisking together the eggs and sugars until the sugar dissolves so that we can get that beautiful crackly top!

• bananas – i make these banana bread brownies with one banana – make sure to use a ripe banana to get the best flavour in these banana bread brownies. the riper the banana, the sweeter and more intense the banana flavour in these brownies will be.

• vanilla extract – optional, but will add a nice, subtle vanilla flavour.

• flour – we’ll be using plain flour or all purpose flour for this banana bread brownies recipe

• salt – just a small amount of salt mixed in the dry ingredients helps balance out the sweetness in these banana bread brownies.

• dark chocolate chips – this is optional but i like to make these banana bread brownies with chocolate chips in the batter and an extra sprinkle of them on top before baking. this gives them an extra rich, chocolatey flavour. you can use chopped chocolate or chocolate chips, and even though i went for dark chocolate chips, you can also use milk chocolate or semi-sweet if you’d prefer that.

• walnuts – again, these are optional, but walnuts or any kind of nuts will add a lovely crunch and some extra texture that pairs beautifully with banana and that fudgy brownie texture.

tools:

• a pot or pan for browning the butter – we’ll be browning the butter on the stove over medium heat.

• 3 small mixing bowls – we’ll need a small mixing bowl for the butter, cocoa powder and dark chocolate mixture. we’ll need another one for mashing the banana and another one for combining the dry ingredients.

• fork – for mashing the banana.

• large mixing bowl – we’ll be adding everything to one bowl later on in the recipe so you’ll need a large bowl to fit all of the ingredients in so that it’s easier to mix your brownie batter.

• whisk or hand mixer – we’re going to mix the sugar and eggs together using a whisk or hand mixer until the sugar dissolves. i decided to use a whisk for this recipe. it might take a little longer using a whisk, with a little bit more work and strength, but it will do the job just fine! in fact, using a hand mixer to whip your eggs and sugar actually incorporates more air into the batter, so using a whisk might make your brownies even more fudgy.

• silicone spatula or spoon – for mixing the dry ingredients into the banana bread brownie batter.

• parchment paper or baking paper – lining your baking tray with parchment paper will make it easier to lift the banana bread brownies out once they’re done.

• 8×8 inch baking pan – i like to use an 8×8 inch pan for this fudgy banana bread brownies recipe, as baking them in an 8×8 inch pan makes them extra fudgy and thick. if you don’t want your brownies to be really thick, feel free to bake these in a 9×9 or 9×13 tray. this will give you more brownies that are slightly thinner.

step by step instructions

for full measurements, keep scrolling down to the recipe below.

step one: preheat your oven and and grease and line a baking tray for your banana bread brownies.

step two: break apart some dark chocolate into pieces and add it to a small bowl. add the cocoa powder to the same bowl.

step three: add butter to a pan or pot and heat up over medium heat. keep stirring until golden brown and toasted. you’ll know you’re done when the butter starts to smell toasty and almost caramel-like. (detailed instructions on browning butter in faqs section).

step four: once you’ve browned the butter, add it to the same small bowl that you added the chocolate and cocoa powder in, making sure to scrape out all of the toasted milk solids from the bottom of the pan and into the bowl.

step five: mix the brown butter, dark chocolate and cocoa powder together while the butter is still hot. the hot butter will melt the chocolate. mix until the chocolate has melted completely and the brown butter, cocoa powder and chocolate are combined. once the mixture looks smooth and glossy, set this aside.

step six: in another bowl, add the ripe banana. use a fork to mash the banana until relatively smooth.

step seven: in another bowl, add 2 large eggs. then, add brown sugar and granulated sugar.

step eight: using a whisk or hand mixer, mix together the eggs and sugars until they are combined, and the sugar dissolves. this will usually take a good few minutes. you’ll know the sugar has dissolved once you feel a little bit of the mixture between your fingers and you can no longer feel the sugar granules. if you find that you can still feel them, go ahead and mix for a little bit longer. the mixture should look quite pale and frothy.

step nine: add vanilla to the egg and sugar mixture and whisk it in. then, add the mashed banana and whisk this in until combined.

step ten: add the chocolate and brown butter mixture to the egg and sugar mixture. whisk it until combined and the brownie batter looks smooth and chocolatey.

step eleven: mix flour and salt together and add this to the banana bread brownie batter. add the walnuts and chocolate chips as well. using a spoon or spatula, gently fold the ingredients into the brownie batter. do not mix too much at this stage as you don’t want to over mix. mix the ingredients in until just combined, and the flour is no longer visible.

step twelve: add the banana bread brownie batter to your lined baking dish and smooth it out until even.

step thirteen: top with some extra chocolate chips, then place in the oven and bake for 30-35 minutes (baking times will vary depending on your oven and the size of your tray).

step fourteen: once you remove the banana bread brownies from the oven, let them cool at room temperature for around 30 minutes before slicing them up or trying to remove them from the pan. they will be too soft and gooey to pick up straight out of the oven, and will continue to cook as they cool in the tray.

step fifteen: once the banana bread brownies have cooled, lift them out of the dish, slice up, and let’s eat!

tips and notes

• keep an eye on the butter when browning it – butter can quickly go from nutty and toasted to burnt. keep stirring it as it browns on the stove, and don’t leave it unattended. once the butter starts to smell caramel-like and toasty, and you can see it start to turn a golden colour, remove the pan from the heat.

• try to use high quality chocolate if you can. high quality dark chocolate or semi sweet chocolate will give these banana bread brownies the best, rich and chocolatey flavour. higher quality chocolate will also be easier to melt and combine with the rest of the ingredients.

• be careful not to over mix the brownie batter. once you add the flour and the other dry ingredients, make sure to gently fold it in using a spoon or silicone spatula, and don’t mix for longer than necessary. over mixing can lead to tough brownies.

• make sure to use room temperature eggs, as they will combine with the rest of the ingredients easily and give you a smoother brownie batter.

• use very ripe bananas for the best flavour – the more spotted and soft they are, the better these banana bread brownies will taste.

• make sure you preheat the oven so that it’s already hot by the time you place your banana bread brownies in the oven. this will ensure that the banana bread brownies bake evenly and that they won’t take longer to bake.

• adjust baking time as needed. every oven is different, so i recommend keeping an eye on your banana bread brownies as they bake. don’t just bang them in the oven and leave until the designated time is up. it might be a good idea to check the brownies for doneness a few minutes before the recommended baking time. A toothpick inserted into the center should come out with a few moist crumbs attached – the toothpick shouldn’t be completely dry or have wet batter on it. i like to take the brownies out of the oven when they’re very slightly underdone as they will continue to cook as they cool once they’re out of the oven. over baking will result in dry and cakey brownies, which is not what we want.

• once your banana bread brownies are out of the oven, they should be too soft to pick up or slice. let them cool at room temperature before trying to slice them or pick them up.

• use a kitchen scale to measure your ingredients. while i add both metric and cup measurements for this recipe, i always recommend using a kitchen scale to weigh out your ingredients for most accurate results.

• store any leftover banana bread brownies in an airtight container at room temperature or in the fridge.

• i like to have these brownies as they are, but if you want to make them a bit more exciting, make these banana bread brownies with brown sugar frosting or brown butter frosting for an extra special touch!

• the chocolate chips and walnuts are completely optional. you can make these banana bread brownies with different mix-ins or just omit them altogether.

• for an extra indulgent treat, serve these banana bread brownies warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

frequently asked questions

1. what is brown butter, and what does brown butter do in these banana bread brownies ?

   – brown butter is butter that has been cooked until the milk solids are toasted, turn golden brown and develop a nutty, toasty flavour. brown butter adds a very subtle depth and richness to these brownies, giving them a unique flavour that pairs beautifully with the banana and chocolate.

2. how do i brown the butter for this banana bread brownies recipe ?

   – to brown the butter, start by adding butter to a pan. melt this over medium heat, and stir constantly as the butter melts. the butter will melt and then begin to foam and sizzle. you’ll know the butter has browned when the foam starts to tone down a little and the butter looks golden brown underneath the foam. the butter will start to smell slightly nutty and toasty. once this happens, remove the pot from the heat and pour the brown butter over dark chocolate and cocoa powder in a small mixing bowl.

3. are these banana bread brownies easy to make ?

   – definitely! this banana bread brownies recipe is perfect for beginners and uses simple ingredients, simple equipment and has simple steps. the hardest thing about this banana bread brownie recipe is probably browning the butter, which is actually a lot easier than it seems.

4. can i use salted butter in this banana bread brownies recipe ?

   – yes, you can use salted butter. if you use salted butter for your brownies instead of unsalted, i would recommend skipping the extra salt listed in this recipe.

5. do i have to use vanilla extract to make these banana bread brownies ?

   – the vanilla extract in this brownie recipe is optional. i like the subtle vanilla flavour it gives to these banana bread brownies, but if you would prefer not to use it or don’t have it, that’s also completely fine.

6. can i make banana bread brownies with box mix instead of from scratch ?

   – i personally think that these banana bread brownies taste better from scratch but you could definitely make banana bread brownies with cake mix or brownie mix and then adapt them by adding mashed banana to the batter.

7. can i make these banana bread brownies without chocolate chips or extra chocolate ?

   – you can absolutely omit the extra chocolate chips in this banana bread brownie recipe! i wanted my brownies to be extra rich and chocolatey, but if you would prefer not to add extra chocolate, feel free to leave it out or swap it for any other mix-ins of your choice like chopped nuts or anything else you like.

8. why did my brownies turn into a banana bread brownie cake instead of a fudgy brownie ?

   – there are a number of reasons why your banana bread brownies turned into a cake instead of like a brownie. one reason is baking times. you should take your brownies out of the oven while they are slightly underbaked as they will continue to cook and firm up as they cool. even if you followed the exact timings in the recipe, every oven will bake things differently so timings will vary depending on your oven and the size of your tray. i highly recommend checking on your brownies every once in a while, especially towards the end of the written times to make sure they don’t over bake.

   – another reason could be due to over mixing the batter or having too much flour in your brownie batter. to make these banana bread brownies as accurately as possible, be sure to measure your flour using a kitchen scale. gently fold the flour and any dry ingredients into the brownie batter until no streaks of flour remain in order to avoid over mixing.

9. can i use a different type of chocolate, like milk chocolate, instead of dark chocolate in this recipe ?

   – while you can use different types of chocolate for this recipe, i would recommend using dark or semi sweet chocolate to balance the sweetness and give these brownies a richer, deeper chocolate flavour. using something like milk chocolate might make these banana bread brownies too sweet.

10. do i have to use brown sugar to make these banana bread brownies ?

    – brown sugar is recommended for these banana bread brownies, as it helps gives the brownies a richer flavour that complements the brown butter and banana quite well and makes them extra chewy. however, if you don’t have brown sugar, you can substitute it with granulated sugar. using all granulated sugar for this banana bread brownie recipe might change the taste and texture of these brownies slightly, but they will still be delicious! for best results, use a combination of brown sugar and granulated sugar as stated.

11. why do my banana bread brownies not have a crackly top ?

    – to get a crackly top on your brownies, you need to make sure that your sugar dissolves when you beat the eggs and sugar together. to do this, we need to beat the eggs and sugar for a good few minutes using a whisk or hand mixer. the mixture should become slightly thicker and paler, and look slightly frothy. if you’re unsure, you can try feeling the mixture between your fingers – if you can still feel the sugar granules, you need to mixer for longer until you can no longer feel them!

12. how do i know that my banana bread brownies are done baking ?

    – Insert a toothpick into the center of the banana bread brownies a few minutes before the end of the stated baking times. if the toothpick comes out with a few moist crumbs attached, the brownies are done. Be careful not to over bake, as this can lead to dry, cakey brownies. the toothpick shouldn’t be completely dry, and it shouldn’t have wet batter on it either. if your toothpick comes out with wet batter on it, it’ll need to bake for slightly longer.

13. can i bake these banana bread brownies in a 9×13 pan ?

    – yes, you can! i baked these banana bread brownies in an 8×8 pan, because i wanted them to be extra thick and fudgy. if you’d prefer a slightly thinner brownie, feel free to bake the same amount of batter in a 9×9 inch or 9×13 pan. bear in mind that the brownies will come out slightly thinner than pictured if you do this, and that baking times will decrease, as a thinner brownie will take less time to cook through. in this case, keep an eye on your banana bread brownies once they’re in the oven to ensure that you don’t over bake them, and check for doneness earlier than the recommended baking times.

14. can i make these as banana bread brownie muffins ?

    – yes, you can make these as banana bread brownie muffins – simply follow the recipe instructions as stated and divide the brownie batter between muffin cases instead of baking it in one big pan. keep in mind that banana bread brownie muffins will take less time to bake than a big pan of banana bread brownies, so you’ll want to keep an eye on that.

15. can i make these banana bread brownies with cream cheese swirled in them ?

    – you could definitely swirl a cream cheese mixture into the brownie batter before baking these banana bread brownies for some extra flavour and richness!

16. can i make these banana bread brownies with icing or frosting ?

    – absolutely! you can top these banana bread brownies with any kind of icing or frosting you like. i’d recommend something with brown butter or brown sugar to complement the banana flavour and the brown butter in the brownies.

17. how to store banana bread brownies ?

    – to properly store banana bread brownies, keep them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days, or in the fridge for up to a week. you can also freeze these banana bread brownies.

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