Banana Brownies

Banana Brownies are that perfect blend of brownies with the extra taste of banana and this makes them a frequent request in our house. The kids love anything with bananas so these are popular and also easy to make.

The dessert is sometimes known as banana bread brownies because they are served from a 9 x 13 inch baking pan and have that rich browned butter frosting on them. You can try swapping this for other types of frosting but it’s our favorite. 

Do Banana Brownies have chocolate in?

Lots of us associated chocolate with brownies but the actual recipe doesn’t include it. The chocolate usually comes from chocolate chips or the topping. So this recipe has the fudgy texture of a brownie but there’s no chocolate in it, just sugar, eggs, and vanilla extract with the banana.

Ingredients

Brownies

• All-purpose flour
• Baking powder
• Butter, salted 
• Granulated white sugar
• Light brown sugar
• Large eggs
• Vanilla extract
• Sour cream
• Mashed bananas

Frosting

• Butter, salted
• Confectioners sugar
• Milk
• Vanilla extract

If you want to make this more like a banana cake, then swap the frosting ingredients for cream cheese icing instead.

How to make Banana Brownies

1. Preheat the oven to 375°F and use a baking spray or grease lightly a 9 x 13 inch baking sheet.
2. Mix half of the butter with the white and brown sugars in a large glass bowl until mixed thoroughly.
3. Add the eggs one at a time, ensuring they are well mixed in before adding more – remember to scrap the bowl sides!
4. Add the vanilla and sour cream and beat into the mixture.
5. Add the flour and stir into the mixture.
6. Add the bananas and mix until smooth.
7. Pour the batter into the baking pan and cook for 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the brownies comes out clean.
8. In the last 5 minutes of cooking time, start the frosting.

Frosting instructions

1. Place half the butter in a medium saucepan and heat to medium-high. Let the butter start to bubble, stirring as you do, and let it turn a dark blonde color, usually 2-3 minutes of cooking.
2. Add the powdered sugar and mix then add vanilla and milk, stirring until creamy.
3. Top the brownies while the frosting is still warm as it will make it easier for it to stick to the dessert.

If you find the frosting is a little too thick, just add a little more milk and mix over the heat.

You can keep the frosting warm on the stove if the brownies take longer than you expected. Just leave it on the stove burner or use a “keep warm” setting if your stove has one.

Once you take the frosting off the heat, work quickly or a skin will form on it.

How long will banana brownies keep?

You can store these banana brownies in an airtight container and they will keep for about a week at room temperature. 

Can you freeze banana brownies?

You can freeze the cooked brownies but do it before you add the frosting as this won’t freeze well. Once the brownies are cooled, add them to freezer-safe bags or a container and use wax paper between pieces if you want to lift them out a few at a time. Keep for up to 3 months and defrost thoroughly before adding the frosting.

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Banana Brownies

Moist blondie brownies with a banana bread twist, topped with an amazing browned butter frosting.

5 from 1 vote

Print Pin Rate

Course: Desserts

Cuisine: American, Southern

Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes minutes

Total Time: 40 minutes minutes

Servings: 12 pieces

Calories: 553kcal

Author: Elizabeth (Beth) Mueller

Ingredients

Brownies

• ▢ 2 cups all purpose flour
• ▢ 1 teaspoon baking powder
• ▢ 1/2 cup butter salted and softened
• ▢ 3/4 cup granulated white sugar
• ▢ 3/4 cup light brown sugar
• ▢ 2 large eggs
• ▢ 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
• ▢ 1 cup sour cream
• ▢ 1 3/4 cups mashed bananas about 4 7-inch bananas

Frosting

• ▢ 1/2 cup butter salted
• ▢ 4 cups confectioners sugar
• ▢ 1/4 cup milk
• ▢ 2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Instructions

Brownies

• Preheat an oven to 375°F and prepare a 9 X 13 pan by spraying with baking spray or lightly greasing.
• Combine 1/2 cup of butter, white sugar, and brown sugar in a large bowl and mix until well combined.
• Add the eggs, one at a time, mixing well between additions. Scrape the bowl as needed.
• Add the vanilla and sour cream and beat until completely combined.
• Add the flour and baking soda and mix just until the flour is incorporated.
• Add the bananas and mix until smooth.
• Pour the batter into the prepared pan and bake for 25 to 30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the brownies comes out clean.
• During the last 5 minutes of baking, prepare the frosting.

Frosting

• Place 1/2 of butter into a medium sauce pan and set the heat to medium-high. Heat the butter until it starts to bubble, stirring frequently until the butter has turned a medium to dark blonde color, about 2 to 3 minutes. Turn off the heat.
• Add the powdered sugar and mix to combine, add the vanilla and milk and stir until smooth and creamy.
• Add more milk if the frosting is too thick.
• Top the brownies with the frosting while the brownies and the frosting are still warm, this will make coating the brownies easier.

Notes

• If the frosting is done before the brownies are, leave the frosting sitting on the warm stove burner to keep it soft for longer. It can also be held on a “keep warm” setting if your stove has one.
• When frosting the brownies, work quickly, the frosting will start to form a skin as it cools.
• If you prefer to make this more like a banana cake, you could use your favorite cream cheese icing.

Nutrition

Serving: 12Pieces | Calories: 553kcal | Carbohydrates: 91g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 20g | Saturated Fat: 12g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 5g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 78mg | Sodium: 169mg | Potassium: 244mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 70g | Vitamin A: 661IU | Vitamin C: 3mg | Calcium: 67mg | Iron: 1mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated and may vary based on exact ingredients used. For accuracy, consult a registered dietitian or nutritionist.

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