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Banana Bread Brownies Recipe: Banana Chocolate Brownies

Written by MasterClass

Last updated: Jul 20, 2022 • 2 min read

Use ripe or overripe bananas to make banana bread brownies, which you can enjoy plain or dress up with a crumb topping or cream cheese frosting.

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What Are Banana Bread Brownies?

Banana bread brownies are a cross between banana bread and chocolate brownies. Some versions of a banana bread brownie share more similarities with a blondie than with a brownie. Banana bread brownies feature classic banana bread flavors, including cinnamon, brown sugar, and sweet bananas.

5 Flavor Additions for Banana Bread Brownies

Banana bread brownies combine classic banana bread flavors with chocolate; however, if you want to put a unique spin on your recipe, other flavors complement bananas well. Here are five flavor ideas if you’re looking for ingredients to add to banana bread brownies:

  1. 1. Chocolate chips: Banana plus chocolate is a classic flavor pairing. Add extra dark, milk, white, or semisweet chocolate chips to the brownie batter for texture and even more chocolate flavor.
  2. 2. Frosting: One way to add more flavor to any baked good is to use frosting. Make cream cheese frosting, brown butter frosting, sour cream glaze, or a classic vanilla frosting you can spread over your brownies.
  3. 3. Peanut butter: The saltiness of peanut butter pairs well with the sweetness of bananas. Add creamy peanut butter directly to the brownie batter, make a peanut butter frosting, or use peanut butter chips to add peanut butter flavor.
  4. 4. Toasted nuts: Pecans and walnuts are typical additions to classic banana bread, so try adding the nuts to banana bread brownies to mimic that flavor. Toast the pecans or walnuts in the oven for an even nuttier flavor and crunchier texture.
  5. 5. Warm spices: Cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and cardamom pair equally well with bananas and chocolate. Mix the spices with the melted butter to release their natural oils, enhancing the flavor further.

Banana Bread Brownies Recipe

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makes

9 brownies

prep time

15 min

total time

45 min

cook time

30 min

Ingredients

  1. 1

    Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.

  2. 2

    Grease an 8-inch-by-8-inch pan with cooking spray.

  3. 3

    Line the baking pan with parchment paper.

  4. 4

    In the microwave, melt the unsalted butter.

  5. 5

    In a separate bowl, combine the flour, salt, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, cardamom, nutmeg, and chocolate chips. If you’re using nuts, add them to the bowl, too.

  6. 6

    Add the cocoa powder and brown sugar to the melted butter.

  7. 7

    Transfer the butter and cocoa mixture to a large bowl.

  8. 8

    With an electric mixer, beat in the mashed bananas.

  9. 9

    Add the eggs to the banana mixture one at a time, mixing well after each addition.

  10. 10

    Mix in the vanilla extract.

  11. 11

    With a rubber spatula, fold in the dry ingredients (flour mixture).

  12. 12

    Pour the banana brownie batter into the prepared pan.

  13. 13

    Bake the brownies in the oven until a toothpick comes out clean, 25–30 minutes.

  14. 14

    Cool the brownies in the baking pan to room temperature.

  15. 15

    Cut the brownies into 9 equal-size pieces and serve them. Store any leftover brownies in an airtight container at room temperature.

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