These Banana Bread Brownies are made up of gooey, chocolate-y brownies swirled together with sweet and moist banana bread. They’re so easy to make and so good!
Banana bread is a classic…and you can never go wrong with a big batch of brownies. But what if I told you that you could have both in ONE dessert?!
Enter banana bread brownies!
What are banana bread brownies?
Banana bread brownies are exactly what they sound like—a banana bread and brownie hybrid dessert.
Banana bread batter and brownie batter are swirled together and then baked and the result is a delicious combination of both with so much sweetness and flavor.
Ingredients
Brownie Layer
- All-Purpose Flour and Cocoa Powder – gives the brownie layer its structure and so much delicious chocolate-y flavor.
- Salt – cuts the sweetness and brings out other flavors.
- Granulated Sugar – adds just the right amount of sweetness.
- Eggs – help bind the brownie layer together so the bars can hold their shape.
- Unsalted Butter – gives flavor depth and moisture to the brownie layer.
- Vanilla Extract – provides a depth of flavor and helps to bring out the chocolate flavor in the brownie layer.
- Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chunks – adds texture and even more chocolate!
Banana Bread Layer
- Unsalted Butter – adds warmth and gives the banana bread layer extra moisture.
- Granulated Sugar and Dark Brown Sugar – both add sweetness while the extra moisture in brown sugar makes the banana bread layer so soft.
- Buttermilk – makes the banana bread layer ultra rich and moist.
- Vanilla Extract – adds flavor depth and a touch of sweetness to the banana bread layer.
- Egg – work to bind all the ingredients together.
- Mashed Banana – use very ripe bananas to get the best banana flavor and sweetness.
- All-Purpose Flour – gives the banana bread layer its structure.
- Baking Soda – gives a little lift to prevent this layer from becoming too dense.
- Ground Cinnamon and Salt – brings out flavor and adds a warm spiciness.
How to make
Brownie Layer
- In a large bowl, mix together flour, cocoa powder, salt, sugar, eggs, butter, and vanilla until just combined.
- Stir in chocolate chunks, then set aside.
Banana Bread Layer
- In a large bowl, whisk together melted butter, granulated sugar, brown sugar, buttermilk, vanilla, and egg until well combined, the stir in mashed bananas.
- Fold in flour, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt until just combined.
- Pour half of the banana batter into a greased 8×8 baking pan, then use a cookie scoop to scoop half the brownie batter on top.
- Swirl the batters together with a knife, then repeat with remaining batter.
- Bake at 350ºF for 40 minutes, then cover with foil and cook for another 15-20 minutes.
- Remove the bars from the pan immediately, then cook, serve, and enjoy!
Can you frost banana bread brownies?
Absolutely! These brownies are delicious unfrosted but you can’t go wrong with an added layer of creamy sweetness.
Pro tip
Check out my vanilla frosting recipe or my cream cheese frosting recipe! Make chocolate frosting by adding cocoa powder to either.
Why are my banana bread brownies dry?
If your brownies came out dry, you may have over-measured your flour.
I recommend spooning the flour into the measuring cup and leveling it off with your finger so you don’t end up with too much.
How to store
Leftovers will last in an airtight container for 1-2 days at room temperature, in the fridge for up to 4 days, or in the freezer for up to 3 months.
To enjoy again, microwave to warm.
– Jennifer
Banana Bread Brownies
These Banana Bread Brownies are made up of gooey, chocolate-y brownies swirled together with sweet and moist banana bread. They're so easy to make and so good!
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour
Yield: 9 brownies
Equipment for this recipe
(equipment shown are affiliate links)
Ingredients
Brownie Layer
- ¾ cups all purpose flour spoon and leveled
- ¼ cup unsweetened cocoa powder spoon and leveled
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs room temperature
- ½ cup unsalted butter melted
- ½ tablespoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chunks
Banana Bread Layer
- ¼ cup unsalted butter melted
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- ¼ cup dark brown sugar packed
- 2 tablespoons buttermilk room temperature
- ½ tablespoon vanilla extract
- 1 large egg room temperature
- ½ cup mashed very ripe banana
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Instructions
Brownie Layer
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F and spray an 8x8 baking pan with cooking spray, then line with a parchment paper sling.
- In a large bowl, mix together flour, cocoa powder, salt, sugar, eggs, butter, and vanilla until *just* combined.
- Stir in chocolate chunks, then set aside.
Banana Bread
- In a large bowl, whisk together melted butter, granulated sugar, brown sugar, buttermilk, vanilla, and egg until well combined.
- Stir in mashed bananas.
- Fold in flour, baking soda, cinnamon and salt until *just* combined. Don’t over mix!
- Pour half the banana batter into the prepared pan, then use a cookie scoop to scoop half the brownie batter on top.
- Gently swirl the batters together with a knife.
- Repeat with the remaining batters.
- Bake in preheated oven for 40 minutes.
- Cover with tin foil and cook for an additional 15-20 minutes. The center may still be a little gooey, but the top should be golden brown and the outside edges should be set - an inserted toothpick will come out mostly clean.
- Lift the bars out of the pan immediately.
- Cool for 10 minutes on a cutting board, then cut and serve.
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STORING
Room Temp:1-2 Days
Refrigerator:4 Days
Freezer:3 Months
Reheat:Microwave to warm
*Storage times may vary based on temperature and conditions
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Nutrition Information
Nutrition Facts
Banana Bread Brownies
Amount Per Serving (1 brownie)
Calories 518 Calories from Fat 225
% Daily Value*
Fat 25g38%
Saturated Fat 15g94%
Trans Fat 1g
Cholesterol 104mg35%
Sodium 289mg13%
Potassium 264mg8%
Carbohydrates 68g23%
Fiber 3g13%
Sugar 43g48%
Protein 7g14%
Vitamin A 587IU12%
Vitamin C 1mg1%
Calcium 44mg4%
Iron 3mg17%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
*Note: Nutrition information is estimated and varies based on products used.
Keywords: banana bread, brownies, easy
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Jennifer @ Show Me the Yummy
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