If you love the comforting flavor of banana bread and the rich texture of brownies, these Banana Bread Brownies are the perfect dessert for you. Made with ripe bananas, honey, toasted walnuts, and topped with a luscious brown butter frosting, this recipe creates a soft, moist treat that’s ideal for family gatherings, afternoon snacks, or special occasions.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Combines the best qualities of banana bread and brownies.
- Soft, moist, and packed with banana flavor.
- Naturally sweetened with honey and brown sugar.
- Toasted walnuts add a delicious crunch.
- Easy to make with simple pantry ingredients.
- Perfect for using overripe bananas.
- Family-friendly and great for sharing.
Ingredients
For the Banana Bread Brownies
- 1 cup raw walnut halves
- 6 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 cup mashed ripe banana (about 3 medium bananas)
- ⅔ cup honey
- ⅓ cup light or dark brown sugar
- 1 large egg
- 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
- ¾ cup all-purpose flour
- ¾ cup white whole wheat flour (or additional all-purpose flour)
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
For the Brown Butter Frosting
- 6 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1½ cups powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1–2 tablespoons heavy cream, half-and-half, or milk
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line an 8×8-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving overhang on two sides. Lightly coat with nonstick spray.
- Spread the walnuts on a baking sheet and toast for 8–10 minutes, stirring halfway through. Remove, cool slightly, and roughly chop.
- Place the mashed bananas in a large mixing bowl.
- In a light-colored saucepan over medium-low heat, melt the butter. Continue cooking until it foams, turns golden, and develops brown specks with a nutty aroma. Remove immediately from heat.
- Pour the browned butter into the bowl with the bananas and whisk together.
- Add honey and brown sugar. Whisk until smooth.
- Allow the mixture to cool to lukewarm, then whisk in the egg and vanilla extract.
- In a separate bowl, combine both flours, cinnamon, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
- Add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture. Fold gently until just combined. Do not overmix.
- Fold in the toasted walnuts.
- Transfer the batter to the prepared pan and smooth the top.
- Bake the Banana Bread Brownies for 22–25 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Cool completely in the pan before frosting.
Brown Butter Frosting
- Brown the butter using the same method as above.
- Transfer to a mixing bowl and cool slightly.
- Whisk in powdered sugar, vanilla, and enough cream to achieve a smooth, spreadable consistency.
- Spread evenly over cooled brownies.
- Slice into squares and serve.
Tips & Tricks
- Use very ripe bananas with brown spots for maximum sweetness and flavor.
- Do not overmix the batter to keep the brownies tender.
- Toasting the walnuts enhances their flavor significantly.
- For extra richness, add a handful of chocolate chips.
- Allow brownies to cool fully before frosting for the neatest slices.
- Swap walnuts for pecans if preferred.
Details
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 12 brownies
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Difficulty: Easy
- Dietary Notes: Vegetarian
Notes
- White whole wheat flour adds extra fiber while maintaining a soft texture.
- Serve with coffee, tea, or a glass of cold milk.
- A drizzle of caramel sauce makes these even more indulgent.
- The frosting can be omitted for a lighter treat.
Nutrition (Approximate Per Serving)
- Calories: 250
- Protein: 4g
- Carbohydrates: 34g
- Fat: 11g
- Fiber: 2g
- Sugar: 21g
FAQ
Can I make Banana Bread Brownies ahead of time?
Yes. They stay moist and delicious for several days, making them perfect for meal prep or entertaining.
Can I freeze Banana Bread Brownies?
Absolutely. Wrap individual squares tightly and freeze for up to 3 months.
What bananas work best?
Very ripe bananas with dark spots provide the sweetest flavor and best texture.
Can I make them without walnuts?
Yes. Simply omit the walnuts or replace them with chocolate chips.
Why brown the butter?
Brown butter adds a rich, nutty flavor that elevates both the brownies and frosting.
Can I use all-purpose flour only?
Yes. Replace the white whole wheat flour with an equal amount of all-purpose flour.
Storage
Refrigerator
Store in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
Freezer
Freeze individually wrapped brownies for up to 3 months.
Reheating
Allow frozen brownies to thaw overnight in the refrigerator or warm briefly at room temperature before serving.
Similar Recipes
Banana Bread Brownies
Soft and moist Banana Bread Brownies made with ripe bananas and toasted walnuts.
Ingredients
For the Banana Bread Brownies
- 1 cup raw walnut halves
- 6 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 cup mashed ripe banana about 3 medium bananas
- ⅔ cup honey
- ⅓ cup light or dark brown sugar
- 1 large egg
- 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
- ¾ cup all-purpose flour
- ¾ cup white whole wheat flour or additional all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
For the Brown Butter Frosting
- 6 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1½ cups powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1 –2 tablespoons heavy cream half-and-half, or milk
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line an 8×8-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving overhang on two sides. Lightly coat with nonstick spray.
- Spread the walnuts on a baking sheet and toast for 8–10 minutes, stirring halfway through. Remove, cool slightly, and roughly chop.
- Place the mashed bananas in a large mixing bowl.
- In a light-colored saucepan over medium-low heat, melt the butter. Continue cooking until it foams, turns golden, and develops brown specks with a nutty aroma. Remove immediately from heat.
- Pour the browned butter into the bowl with the bananas and whisk together.
- Add honey and brown sugar. Whisk until smooth.
- Allow the mixture to cool to lukewarm, then whisk in the egg and vanilla extract.
- In a separate bowl, combine both flours, cinnamon, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
- Add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture. Fold gently until just combined. Do not overmix.
- Fold in the toasted walnuts.
- Transfer the batter to the prepared pan and smooth the top.
- Bake the Banana Bread Brownies for 22–25 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Cool completely in the pan before frosting.
- Brown Butter Frosting
- Brown the butter using the same method as above.
- Transfer to a mixing bowl and cool slightly.
- Whisk in powdered sugar, vanilla, and enough cream to achieve a smooth, spreadable consistency.
- Spread evenly over cooled brownies.
- Slice into squares and serve.
Notes
- White whole wheat flour adds extra fiber while maintaining a soft texture.
- Serve with coffee, tea, or a glass of cold milk.
- A drizzle of caramel sauce makes these even more indulgent.
- The frosting can be omitted for a lighter treat.
Conclusion
These Banana Bread Brownies are a delicious combination of two beloved desserts. Moist bananas, toasted walnuts, warm cinnamon, and rich brown butter frosting come together to create an irresistible treat that’s easy to make and even easier to enjoy. Whether you’re using up ripe bananas or looking for a crowd-pleasing dessert, this recipe is sure to become a favorite.