Banana Bread Brownies

The Perfect Mash-Up of Two Classic Treats

If you can’t decide between banana bread and brownies, this recipe gives you the best of both worlds. Banana Bread Brownies are soft, moist, and packed with sweet banana flavor, yet rich and decadent like a brownie. Finished with a smooth chocolate frosting, these bars are comforting, easy to make, and impossible to resist.

Perfect for using up ripe bananas, this dessert is great for snacks, potlucks, or an everyday sweet treat.

Banana Bread Brownies – Moist, Easy & Irresistible Treat

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Moist Banana Bread Brownies with Cinnamon Glaze

Ingredients

Ingredients

For the brownies:

½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted

1 cup granulated sugar

½ cup light brown sugar, packed

2 large eggs

1 tsp vanilla extract

2 ripe bananas, mashed (about 1 cup)

1 cup all-purpose flour

½ tsp baking powder

¼ tsp baking soda

½ tsp salt

½ tsp ground cinnamon (optional)

½ cup chopped walnuts or pecans (optional)

For the glaze/frosting (optional but amazing):

¼ cup unsalted butter

1 cup powdered sugar

2 tbsp milk or heavy cream

½ tsp vanilla extract

Instructions

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease or line a 9×9-inch baking pan.

2. Make the brownie batter:

In a large bowl, whisk together melted butter, sugar, and brown sugar until smooth.

Beat in eggs and vanilla.

Stir in mashed bananas.

Add flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon. Mix just until combined (don’t overmix).

Fold in nuts if using.

3. Bake:

Spread batter evenly into prepared pan.

Bake 25–30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

Let cool slightly while you make the glaze.

4. Make the glaze:

In a small saucepan, melt butter over medium heat until golden brown (about 3–4 minutes).

Remove from heat and whisk in powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla until smooth.

Pour over warm brownies and spread evenly.

5. Cool and slice:

Let the brownies cool fully before cutting into squares.

• Author: laura

Why You’ll Love Banana Bread Brownies

• Moist and tender banana-bread texture

• Rich, brownie-style flavor

• Easy recipe with simple ingredients

• Perfect way to use ripe bananas

• Great for lunchboxes, dessert, or coffee breaks

Ingredients

For the Banana Bread Brownies

• 1½ cups mashed ripe bananas (about 3 bananas)

• ½ cup unsalted butter, melted

• 1 cup granulated sugar

• 1 large egg

• 1 tsp vanilla extract

• 1½ cups all-purpose flour

• 1 tsp baking powder

• ½ tsp salt

 the Chocolate Frosting

• ½ cup unsalted butter

• 3 tbsp cocoa powder

• 3 tbsp milk

• 2 cups powdered sugar

• 1 tsp vanilla extract

How to Make Banana Bread Brownies

Preheat & Prepare

Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease or line a 9×13-inch baking pan.

Mix the Batter

In a bowl, whisk melted butter and sugar. Add egg, mashed bananas, and vanilla. Stir in flour, baking powder, and salt until just combined.

Bake

Spread batter evenly in the pan. Bake for 25–30 minutes, until lightly golden and a toothpick comes out clean.

Make the Frosting

In a saucepan, melt butter. Stir in cocoa powder and milk. Remove from heat and whisk in powdered sugar and vanilla until smooth.

Frost & Slice

Spread warm frosting over warm brownies. Let set, then slice into bars.

Tips for Perfect Banana Bread 

• Use very ripe bananas for best sweetness

• Don’t overmix the batter

• Frost while brownies are warm for smooth spreading

• Chill slightly before cutting for clean edges

Storage & Make-Ahead

• Room temperature: Up to 2 days, covered

• Refrigerator: Up to 5 days

• Freezer: Freeze unfrosted brownies for up to 2 months

Serving Ideas

• Sprinkle chopped walnuts or pecans on top

• Serve with coffee or milk

• Add chocolate chips to the batter for extra richness

FAQs (People Also Ask – SEO Boost)

Are banana bread brownies more like cake or brownies?

They’re soft and moist like banana bread, with a brownie-style richness.

Can I freeze banana bread brownies?

Yes, freeze unfrosted brownies for best results.

How ripe should bananas be?

Very ripe bananas with brown spots give the best flavor.

Can I add chocolate chips?

Absolutely—chocolate chips add extra richness.

Do banana bread brownies need refrigeration?

Not required, but refrigeration extends freshness.

Final Thoughts

These Banana Bread Brownies are soft, sweet, and perfectly comforting. With the flavor of banana bread and the indulgence of brownies, they’re the kind of dessert that disappears fast and gets requested again and again.

A simple recipe that turns ripe bananas into pure magic.