Banana Bread Brownies are the perfect twist on this classic dessert with moist banana bread and walnuts layered over a chocolatey base.
If you’ve ever tried Chocolate Banana Bread or Banana Chocolate Chip Muffins, then you know how amazing melty chocolate and banana goodness taste together. So, why not bring those flavors into a delicious Brownie recipe?
Table of contents
Sabrina’s Banana Bread Brownies Recipe
Combining a loaf of Banana Bread and Chocolaty Brownies into one dessert recipe might not be something you’ve ever thought of but, it only takes one bite to see what an irresistible combination they are! The double chocolate brownie base is rich and fudgy, and the moist banana bread topping goes perfectly with the classic brownie texture. Plus, the walnuts add a nice crunch and nutty flavor to the sweet taste of the recipe.
Ingredients
- Butter: Though many brownie mixes call for oil, I always find that melted butter creates a more fudgy texture and wonderful flavor.
- Chocolate: You need ⅓ cup unsweetened cocoa powder to get the brownies their chocolate base. You’ll also mix 1 cup of chocolate chips into the batter for melty chocolate morsels throughout.
- Bananas: This is a great recipe to use overripe bananas, or bananas with lots of brown spots but that haven’t gone completely brown.
- Sugar: You’ll use sugar in both the brownie batter and banana bread mixture. I used white sugar because this recipe has plenty of moisture.
- Dry Ingredients: Both batters are made with all purpose flour and a bit of salt. For the leavening ingredients, you’ll use baking soda for the banana bread and baking powder for the brownies.
- Walnuts: The banana bread layer gets chopped walnuts for that classic banana bread crunch!
- Eggs: The brownies need 2 eggs and the banana layer needs 1 egg, so 3 total.
- Flavorings: Each batter layer gets vanilla extract and the banana bread mixture gets some cinnamon for that signature bread flavor.
How to Make
- Prep time
Preheat your oven to 350 degrees. Spray a 9×13 inch baking pan with nonstick baking spray, and line it with parchment paper. Let the extra parchment paper hang over the edge of the brownie pan.
- Brownie batter
Add the melted butter, granulated sugar, and vanilla extract to your mixing bowl. Whisk the wet ingredients together until the sugar and butter mixture is smooth. Add the cocoa powder, all-purpose flour, and kosher salt. Whisk in the dry ingredients, then fold chocolate chips into the chocolate batter. Then pour the brownie batter into the prepared baking dish.
- Banana batter
Whisk together the sugar, oil, egg, and vanilla extract until well combined. Then add the bananas and half of the walnut. Blend in bananas before moving to the next step. Then add the all-purpose flour, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon. Stir until the flour mixture is just combined.
- Combine
Spoon the banana mixture over the brownie batter. Then use a butter knife to gently marble the banana batter over the top. Evenly sprinkle walnuts over the batter.
- Baking time
Bake for 35-40 minutes until the banana bread portions are golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the center of the pan comes out clean. Let the baked Banana Bread Brownies cool on a wire rack before you slice them into Banana Bread squares.
Recipe Card
Ingredients
Brownies:
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter , melted
- 1 cup sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1/2 cup flour
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 cup chocolate chips
Banana Bread Layer:
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 ripe bananas , mashed
- 1/2 cup walnuts , chopped
- 1 1/4 cup flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
Instructions
Brownie Layer:
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
- Spray an 9×13 inch baking pan with baking spray and line with parchment paper with extra hanging out over the edge (to help lift the brownies out later).
- Whisk together melted butter, sugar, eggs, and vanilla extract.
- Whisk in the cocoa powder, flour, salt, and baking powder.
- Fold in chocolate chips.
- Spread batter evenly into baking pan.
Banana Bread Layer:
- In a large bowl whisk together the sugar, oil, egg and vanilla extract until well combined.
- Add bananas and half of the walnuts.
- Add flour, baking soda, salt and cinnamon.
- Add to the baking pan in spoonfuls.
- Swirl gently with a butter knife.
- Sprinkle the rest of the walnuts on top.
- Bake for 35-40 minutes, until toothpick poked in center of the baking pan comes out clean.
Nutrition
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Chef’s Note: Use up Older Bananas
This sweet treat is the perfect way to use up overripe bananas. The next time you see your bananas have too many brown spots, you’ll be excited because you’re just a few steps away from enjoying this incredible sweet treat made from your brown bananas.
Can this be made ahead of time?
You can prepare the banana bread brownie batter in advance and refrigerate it for up to 24 hours before baking. Either cover the bowl with plastic wrap or place the batter in an airtight container. When it’s time to bake, just stir the batter briefly and pour it into the baking pan you’ve prepared, then bake as you normally would.
Nutritional Facts
How to Store
- Serve: Make sure you give the Banana Bread Brownies enough time to cool before slicing and serving.
- Store: To keep leftover brownies fresh, cover them in plastic wrap or transfer leftover pieces to an airtight container. The recipe can stay good at room temperature for up to 3 days.
- Freeze: You could also keep the brownies in a airtight, freezer-safe storage container and keep them frozen for up to 3 months.
Frequent Questions
To maintain the fudgy texture of brownies, I’d recommend keeping the recipe in a covered container at room temperature. They’ll stay good that way for 3 days. However, if you keep them in an airtight storage container in the fridge, they can stay good a couple of days longer.
Thaw the bananas before using them, and make sure to mash them thoroughly. Frozen bananas are often even sweeter and more flavorful, which can enhance the taste of your brownies.
Variations
- Banana Bread Blondies: For another delicious dessert to add banana bread flavor to, you can add the banana bread batter over a layer of Blondie batter. Then bake vanilla banana bread bars and enjoy!
- Nuts: Instead of walnuts, you can use pecans, almonds, or macadamia nuts for your Banana Bread Brownies.
- Add-ins: You can also add other mix-ins like white chocolate chips, M&Ms, or toffee bits to the brownie batter. You can also sprinkle banana chips over top!
- Cinnamon Swirl Banana Bread Brownies: Mix cinnamon and brown sugar together and sprinkle it over the top of the banana bread layer and give it a gentle swirl.
More Delicious Brownie Combinations
