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Let me share my favorite way to use up those overripe bananas sitting on the counter. These Banana Bread Brownies are pure magic combining everything we love about soft banana bread with rich fudgy brownies. Every time I make them the incredible aroma fills my kitchen and brings everyone running to see what's in the oven.
What Makes These Extra Special
I adore how these brownies give us the best of both worlds. That perfect banana bread flavor wrapped in a fudgy brownie texture is absolutely irresistible. Plus they're so easy to customize you can add your favorite mix ins to make them uniquely yours.
Let's Gather Our Ingredients
- Granulated Sugar: One cup makes them perfectly sweet.
- Butter: Half a cup melted adds such richness.
- Bananas: Two nice ripe ones create that lovely flavor.
- Brown Sugar: Half a cup for extra moisture and depth.
- Eggs: Two large ones hold everything together.
- Vanilla: Just a teaspoon makes everything better.
- Flour: One cup creates the perfect structure.
- Baking Soda: Half a teaspoon for the right lift.
- Salt: A quarter teaspoon brings out all the flavors.
- Mix Ins: Walnuts or chocolate chips are wonderful additions.
- Optional Frosting: Brown butter makes it extra special.
Let's Start Baking
- Mix your wet ingredients:
- Get those sugars butter and bananas all combined then add your eggs and vanilla.
- Add the dry ingredients:
- Mix your flour baking soda and salt then blend it all together.
- Into the oven:
- Spread in your pan and let that wonderful aroma fill your kitchen.
- Make it fancy:
- That brown butter frosting takes these over the top.
- Time to enjoy:
- Cut them into squares and watch them disappear.
My Best Tips
Always use really ripe bananas they give the best flavor. Feel free to play with different add ins I love switching between nuts and chocolate chips. And that brown butter frosting might seem extra but trust me it's worth the effort.
Serving and Storage
These are amazing slightly warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. Keep them in an airtight container and they'll stay perfect for days. I love wrapping extras individually and freezing them for whenever the craving hits.
Common Questions Answered
- Skip the frosting? They're wonderful either way.
- Want to use oil? Works perfectly for extra moisture.
- Need gluten free? A good blend with xanthan gum does the trick.
- Got frozen bananas? Even better just thaw them first.
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Frequently Asked Questions
- → Can I use frozen bananas for this recipe?
- Yes, frozen bananas work great in this recipe. Just thaw them completely and drain any excess liquid before mashing. The riper the bananas, the sweeter and more flavorful your brownies will be.
- → Why do my brownies need sour cream?
- Sour cream adds moisture and richness to the brownies. It helps create that perfect fudgy texture and keeps the brownies from drying out. You can substitute Greek yogurt if you don't have sour cream.
- → How do I know when the brown butter is ready?
- Brown butter is ready when it turns golden brown and smells nutty. Watch it carefully as it can quickly go from perfect to burnt. The butter will foam up first, then the foam will subside and brown bits will form at the bottom.
- → Can I make these brownies ahead of time?
- These brownies can be made 1-2 days ahead of time. Store them in an airtight container at room temperature. You can also freeze them unfrosted for up to 3 months and add the frosting after thawing.
- → What's the best way to cut these brownies?
- Let the brownies cool completely before cutting. Use a sharp knife and clean it between cuts for the neatest squares. If you want extra clean cuts, refrigerate the brownies for an hour after frosting.