Banana Bread Brownies
This Banana Bread Brownie recipe is the perfect middle ground between a moist snack cake and a dense brownie. The use of sour cream and mashed bananas ensures a tender, “fudgy” crumb that stays moist for days. What truly sets this recipe apart, however, is the brown butter frosting—the nutty, toasted notes of the butter perfectly complement the sweetness of the bananas and the crunch of the pecans.
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Banana Bread Brownies
Ingredients:
| THE BATTER | AMOUNT |
| All-purpose flour | 2 cups |
| White sugar | 1 1/2 cups |
| Ripe bananas, mashed | 3 large |
| Sour cream | 1 cup |
| Unsalted butter (room temp) | 1/2 cup (1 stick) |
| Pecans, chopped | 2 cups |
| Pure vanilla extract | 2 teaspoons |
| Baking soda | 1 teaspoon |
| Kosher salt | 3/4 teaspoon |
| BROWN BUTTER FROSTING | AMOUNT |
| Unsalted butter | 1/2 cup (1 stick) |
| Powdered sugar | 3 cups |
| Whole milk | 3 tablespoons |
| Pure vanilla extract | 1 1/2 teaspoons |
How To Make Banana Bread Brownies:
Step 1: Prep the Pan: Preheat your oven to 375°F. Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking pan with nonstick spray, line it with parchment paper (leaving an overhang for easy removal), and spray the paper again.
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Step 2: Mix the Batter: In a large bowl, use an electric mixer to cream together the sugar, sour cream, and softened butter. Once smooth, beat in the mashed bananas and vanilla. In a separate bowl, whisk the flour, baking soda, and salt. Gradually stir the dry ingredients into the wet mixture until combined. Fold in the 2 cups of chopped pecans.
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Step 3: Bake and Cool: Pour the batter into your prepared pan and spread it evenly. Bake for 20/30 minutes. Check for doneness by inserting a toothpick into the center; it should come out clean. Remove from the oven and let the brownies cool completely before frosting.
Step 4: Brown the Butter: Slice the chilled butter into pieces and place in a heavy skillet over medium heat. Whisk frequently as it melts and begins to foam. Once you see light brown specks on the bottom and smell a nutty aroma, immediately pour the butter into a heat-proof mixing bowl to stop the cooking.
Step 5: Whip the Frosting: Add the powdered sugar to the browned butter 1 cup at a time, stirring well after each addition. Pour in the milk and vanilla, then use an electric mixer to beat the frosting until it is smooth and spreadable.
Step 6: Finish and Slice: Spread the frosting evenly over the cooled brownies. Once the frosting has set, lift the parchment paper to remove the brownies from the pan and cut into bars.
