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Ultra-Moist Banana Bread Brownies with Brown Butter Cream Cheese Frosting

A close-up of a rich, dark chocolate banana bread brownies slice topped with thick, light brown frosting.
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This recipe combines the moist, tender texture of banana bread with the rich decadence of fudgy brownies. Topped with a nutty brown butter cream cheese frosting, this dessert mashup is easy to make and delivers comforting, crowd-pleasing flavor.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, plus more for greasing
  • 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
  • 3/4 cup packed light brown sugar
  • 4 large eggs
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 cup mashed very ripe bananas (about 3 medium bananas)
  • 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips (optional swirl)
  • For the Brown Butter Cream Cheese Frosting:
  • 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter
  • 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
  • 2 cups powdered sugar, sifted
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1–2 tablespoons milk, as needed

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line a 9×9 inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang for easy removal.
  2. Melt 1 cup of butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. Continue cooking, stirring occasionally, until the butter foams, then brown bits form at the bottom and it smells nutty. Remove from heat immediately and set aside to cool slightly.
  3. In a large bowl, whisk together the granulated sugar and brown sugar with the slightly cooled brown butter until combined.
  4. Whisk in the eggs one at a time until fully incorporated. Stir in the vanilla extract and the mashed bananas until smooth.
  5. In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, salt, and baking powder.
  6. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing gently with a spatula until just combined. Do not overmix to keep the brownies fudgy.
  7. Pour half of the batter into the prepared pan. Sprinkle chocolate chips over the batter if using. Pour the remaining batter on top and gently spread.
  8. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes. A toothpick inserted near the center should come out with moist crumbs attached, not wet batter. Overbaking makes them cakey.
  9. Let the brownies cool completely in the pan on a wire rack before frosting.
  10. To make the frosting: Brown the remaining 1/2 cup of butter in a small saucepan, similar to step 2. Let it cool slightly.
  11. In a mixing bowl, beat the softened cream cheese until smooth. Beat in the cooled brown butter.
  12. Gradually add the powdered sugar and vanilla extract. Mix until smooth. Add milk one tablespoon at a time until you reach a spreadable consistency.
  13. Spread the brown butter cream cheese frosting evenly over the cooled brownies. Cut into squares and serve.

Notes

  • Use very ripe, spotted bananas for the best banana flavor and moisture in your banana bread brownies.
  • For an extra fudgy texture, chill the batter for 30 minutes before baking.
  • If you skip the chocolate chips, consider swirling in 1/4 cup of melted dark chocolate into the top layer of batter before baking.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://kingscook.com/banana-bread-brownies/