Banana Bread Brownies Brown Butter Frosting (Printable)
Luscious banana-brownie fusion bars topped with decadent brown butter frosting.
# What you'll need:
→ 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
# Directions:
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.
03 - Add eggs one at a time, mixing well after each, then stir in mashed bananas and vanilla extract.
04 - In a separate bowl, combine flour, baking powder, and salt.
05 - Fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture until just combined—do not overmix.
06 - 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.
07 - 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.
08 - 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.
09 - Spread frosting over cooled brownies. Cut into squares and serve.
# Expert Suggestions:
01 -
- The texture is somewhere between fudgy brownie and tender banana bread, exactly that sweet spot everyone fights over
- Brown butter frosting transforms simple bananas into something that feels fancy enough for a dinner party
02 -
- Overmixed batter makes tough bars, fold until flour just disappears and walk away
- Frosting warm brownies creates a melty mess, patience pays off here
03 -
- Dark brown sugar instead of white adds a deeper molasses flavor and extra moisture
- Toast the walnuts before folding them in if you add them, it makes such a difference