Banana Bread Brownies (Banana Blondies)
These Banana Bread Brownies combine the nostalgic flavor of banana bread with the dense, chewy texture of a brownie. Made with brown sugar, melted butter, and ripe bananas, they bake up fudgy, rich, and perfectly sliceable.
Equipment
- 8x8-inch baking pan
- Mixing bowl
- Whisk
- Spatula
- Oven
Ingredients
- 0.5 cup unsalted butter, melted and lightly browned
- 1 cup light brown sugar, packed
- 1 large egg, room temperature
- 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
- 1 cup mashed ripe bananas (about 2 medium)
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 0.5 tsp salt
- 0.5 tsp ground cinnamon
- 0.5 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips or chopped walnuts (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease an 8x8-inch baking pan and line with parchment paper, leaving an overhang.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the melted (and browned) butter and brown sugar until smooth.
- Whisk in the egg and vanilla extract, then stir in the mashed bananas until fully combined.
- Fold in the flour, salt, and cinnamon just until no dry streaks remain. Gently fold in chocolate chips or nuts if using.
- Spread batter evenly into the prepared pan and smooth the top.
- Bake for 25–30 minutes, until the edges are set and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with moist crumbs.
- Cool completely in the pan before lifting out and slicing into bars.
Notes
Baking this batter in a square pan instead of a loaf pan concentrates flavor and maximizes chewy edges. Do not overbake—these bars should stay soft and moist in the center.