Banana Bread Brownies with Brown Butter Frosting (Printable View)

Luscious fusion of banana bread and brownies with decadent brown butter frosting

# Ingredient List:

→ Banana Bread Brownies

01 - 1 cup unsalted butter, melted
02 - 2 cups granulated sugar
03 - 4 large eggs
04 - 1 ½ cups mashed ripe bananas (about 3-4 bananas)
05 - 2 tsp vanilla extract
06 - 2 cups all-purpose flour
07 - 1 tsp baking powder
08 - ½ tsp salt

→ Brown Butter Frosting

09 - ½ cup unsalted butter
10 - 2 cups powdered sugar, sifted
11 - 2-3 tbsp milk
12 - 1 tsp vanilla extract
13 - Pinch of salt

# How to Prepare:

01 - Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line a 9x13-inch baking pan with parchment paper and lightly grease.
02 - In a large bowl, whisk together melted butter and sugar until smooth. Add eggs one at a time, mixing well after each, then stir in mashed bananas and vanilla extract.
03 - In a separate bowl, combine flour, baking powder, and salt. Fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture until just combined—do not overmix.
04 - Spread batter evenly into the prepared pan. Bake for 27-32 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Let cool completely in the pan.
05 - For the frosting: In a saucepan over medium heat, cook butter until it turns golden brown and smells nutty, about 4-5 minutes. Remove from heat and let cool slightly for 5 minutes.
06 - In a mixing bowl, combine the browned butter, powdered sugar, 2 tbsp milk, vanilla extract, and salt. Beat until the frosting is smooth and spreadable, adding up to 1 more tablespoon of milk if needed.
07 - Spread frosting over cooled brownies. Cut into squares and serve.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • The texture walks this perfect line between fudgy brownie and tender banana bread, nobody can quite place what makes it so addictive
  • That brown butter frosting on top is the kind of thing people will literally ask you to make for their birthdays
02 -
  • Overmixing the batter will make these tough instead of tender, stop as soon as the flour disappears
  • The frosting needs completely cooled brownies or it will melt right off, patience pays off here
03 -
  • Fold in chopped walnuts or chocolate chips into the batter for extra texture and flavor pockets
  • Room temperature ingredients blend more easily and create a smoother final texture