BANANA BREAD BROWNIES
These Banana Bread Brownies are the ultimate hybrid dessert—they have the dense, tender crumb of a classic banana bread but the thin, snackable shape of a brownie. The real star here is the brown butter frosting. By toasting the milk solids in the butter until they smell like toasted hazelnuts, you create a savory-sweet glaze that perfectly complements the creamy sweetness of the ripe bananas and the crunch of the pecans.
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Banana Bread Brownies
Ingredients:
| Ingredient | Amount |
| The Brownies | |
| All-purpose flour | 2 cups |
| White sugar | 1 1/2 cups |
| Regular sour cream | 1 cup |
| Unsalted butter (room temp) | 1/2 cup (1 stick) |
| Ripe bananas (mashed) | 3 large |
| Chopped pecans | 2 cups |
| Large eggs | 2 (Note: Added for binding) |
| Pure vanilla extract | 2 teaspoons |
| Baking soda | 1 teaspoon |
| Kosher salt | 3/4 teaspoon |
| The Brown Butter Frosting | |
| Powdered sugar | 3 cups |
| Unsalted butter | 1/2 cup (1 stick) |
| 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. Spray a 9×13-inch baking pan with nonstick spray, line it with parchment paper, and spray the parchment again.
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Tip: Using the “sling” method with parchment paper (letting it hang over the long sides) makes it incredibly easy to lift the entire block of brownies out of the pan once they’re cooled for perfectly clean cuts.
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Step 2: Mix the Batter: In a large bowl, cream together the sugar, sour cream, butter, and eggs. Stir in the mashed bananas and vanilla. In a separate bowl, whisk the flour, baking soda, and salt, then fold them into the wet ingredients. Finally, stir in the chopped pecans and spread the batter into the pan.
Step 3: Bake: Bake for 20/30 minutes.
Tip: Start checking at 20 minutes! Because these are “brownies,” you want them to stay moist. A toothpick inserted in the center should come out clean or with just a few moist crumbs. Let them cool completely before frosting.
Step 4: Brown the Butter: This is the game-changer! Slice your butter and heat it in a heavy skillet over medium heat. Whisk constantly as it foams. Once you see little brown specks and smell a nutty aroma, immediately pour it into a mixing bowl so it doesn’t burn.
Step 5: Frost and Set: Whisk the powdered sugar into the brown butter 1 cup at a time. Add the milk and vanilla, then use an electric mixer to whip it until smooth. Spread it evenly over the cooled brownies and let it set before slicing into bars.
