Banana Bread Brownies: The Perfect Blend of Two Classic Desserts
Banana Bread Brownies are a delightful and easy-to-make dessert that combines the rich, chocolatey flavor of brownies with the moist, sweet taste of banana bread. These brownies are made with ripe bananas, cocoa powder, flour, sugar, eggs, and butter, and are baked to perfection in a square baking pan. They are soft, chewy, and full of banana and chocolate goodness, making them a perfect treat for any occasion. Whether served warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or enjoyed as a snack with a cup of coffee, these Banana Bread Brownies are sure to be a hit with anyone who tries them.
Ingredients
For the banana bread brownies:
- 1 ½ cups sugar;
- 1 cup sour cream;
- ½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, at room temperature;
- 2 eggs, at room temperature;
- 3 bananas, mashed;
- 2 tsp vanilla extract;
- 2 cups all-purpose flour;
- 1 tsp baking soda;
- ¾ tsp salt;
- ½ cup walnuts, chopped.
For the frosting:
- ½ cup unsalted butter;
- 3 cups powdered sugar;
- 1 ½ tsp vanilla extract;
- 3 tbsp milk.
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F. Grease a 9×13 inch baking pan with non-stick cooking spray.
- In a mixing bowl, mix together sugar, sour cream, softened butter and eggs using an electric mixer. Beat until well combined. Then, add mashed bananas and vanilla extract. Mix until combined.
- Add the dry ingredients (all-purpose flour, baking soda, salt) to the batter. Mix until combined. Then, add chopped walnuts.
- Pour the banana batter into the prepared baking pan. Bake in the preheated oven for 20-30 minutes or until ready. Check the readiness of the Banana Bread Brownies using a toothpick inserted in the center, if it comes out clean – the brownies are ready. Remove the baking pan from the oven. Let it cool slightly.
- While the brownies are cooling, prepare the frosting. In a saucepan, melt butter and heat until medium brown color. Turn off the heat and add powdered sugar (1 cup at a time), stir until combined after each addition. Then, add milk and vanilla extract. Mix until combined. Pour the frosting over the brownies. Spread evenly. Let the banana bread brownies cool completel. Then cut and serve. Enjoy!
Tips:
- Use ripe bananas for maximum sweetness and flavor.
- Don’t overmix the batter as it can result in tough brownies.
- Line the baking dish with parchment paper for easy removal and clean-up.
- Top the brownies with chopped nuts or chocolate chips for extra texture and flavor.
- Allow the brownies to cool completely before slicing for clean and even slices.
Nutrition:
Banana Bread Brownies can be a delicious treat, but they can also be high in sugar and calories. Here are some tips to make them slightly healthier:
- Use whole wheat flour instead of all-purpose flour to increase the fiber content.
- Substitute some of the sugar with honey or maple syrup for natural sweetness.
- Add some chopped nuts or seeds for extra protein and healthy fats.
- Use dark chocolate chips instead of milk chocolate for a healthier chocolate option.
- Serve the brownies in smaller portions to control the calorie intake.
Overall, Banana Bread Brownies can be a tasty and satisfying dessert, and with a few tweaks, they can also be a healthier treat. Enjoy!