Banana Bread Meets Brownies

This Banana Bread Brownie recipe perfectly blends the softness of banana bread with the dense, chewy richness of a brownie. Ripe bananas and sour cream give these bars an incredibly moist, tender crumb that stays delicious for days. The highlight is the brown butter frosting—deeply nutty, slightly caramelized, and the perfect complement to sweet banana flavor and crunchy toasted pecans.

🍌 Banana Bread Brownies

Ingredients

For the Batter

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1½ cups granulated sugar
• 3 large ripe bananas, mashed
• 1 cup sour cream
• ½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
• 2 cups chopped pecans
• 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• ¾ teaspoon kosher salt

For the Brown Butter Frosting

• ½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter
• 3 cups powdered sugar
• 3 tablespoons whole milk
• 1½ teaspoons pure vanilla extract

Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the Baking Pan
Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly spray a 9×13-inch baking dish with nonstick spray. Line with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on the sides, and spray the parchment as well.

Step 2: Mix the Batter
In a large bowl, cream together the sugar, sour cream, and softened butter until smooth. Add the mashed bananas and vanilla, mixing until well combined. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. Gradually mix the dry ingredients into the banana mixture just until incorporated. Fold in the chopped pecans.

Step 3: Bake and Cool
Pour the batter into the prepared pan and spread evenly. Bake for 20–30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Remove from the oven and allow to cool completely before frosting.

Step 4: Brown the Butter
Slice the butter into chunks and place in a heavy skillet over medium heat. Stir frequently as it melts, foams, and begins to brown. Once golden bits form and a nutty aroma develops, immediately pour the butter into a heatproof bowl to stop the cooking.

Step 5: Make the Frosting
Slowly mix the powdered sugar into the browned butter, about one cup at a time. Add the milk and vanilla extract, then beat until smooth and spreadable.

Step 6: Frost and Slice
Spread the frosting evenly over the cooled brownies. Once set, lift the brownies out using the parchment overhang and cut into bars.