Name: Banana Bread Brownies
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 1 h 45 min
Yield: 16
Ingredients: Brownies:; 3 very ripe bananas (frozen and thawed is perfect); 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour; 1 cup granulated sugar; 1 teaspoon baking powder; ½ teaspoon salt; ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon (optional); 1 egg; 1 stick unsalted butter, melted and cooled slightly; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; Cream Cheese Frosting:; 8 ounces cream cheese, softened; ½ cup unsalted butter, softened; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; 3 ½ - 4 cups powdered sugar

Banana Bread Brownies

Calling all banana bread and brownie lovers! This recipe combines the best of both worlds with delightful banana bread brownies frosted in rich cream cheese.

These brownies are bursting with banana flavor thanks to the use of very ripe bananas. Freezing the bananas before mashing them adds extra moisture to the batter, resulting in a gooey, decadent texture. Simple pantry staples like flour,sugar, eggs, and butter are all you need for the base. Don’t forget a touch of warm cinnamon for an optional, cozy twist!

The cream cheese frosting is the perfect complement, offering a tangy counterpoint to the sweetness of the brownies. It’s easy to make with just cream cheese, butter, vanilla extract, and powdered sugar.

This recipe is perfect for beginner bakers or experienced dessert enthusiasts alike. With minimal prep and straightforward instructions, you’ll be enjoying these delicious brownies in under an hour. So preheat your oven, grab your ripe bananas,and get ready to bake a batch of comforting goodness!

Questions I often get asked about this recipe:

Can I use fresh bananas instead of frozen bananas?
Yes, you can! However, using frozen and thawed bananas will result in a moister brownie. Fresh bananas can work, but you might need to adjust the baking time slightly.

How ripe should the bananas be?
The riper the bananas, the better! Brown spots on the peel are a good indicator of ripeness and sweetness.

My brownies aren’t quite setting in the middle. What could be wrong?
A couple of things could be at play. Make sure your oven temperature is accurate and that you haven’t overmixed the batter. Overmixing can lead to denser brownies.

How can I tell when the frosting is the right consistency?
The frosting should be thick and spreadable, but not too stiff. Add powdered sugar a little bit at a time until it reaches the desired texture.

Can I use a different type of frosting?
Of course! You could try a chocolate ganache, a peanut butter frosting, or even a simple glaze.

How long will these brownies keep?
The brownies can be stored at room temperature in an airtight container for up to 3 days, or in the refrigerator for up to a week.

What you need to make Banana Bread Brownies:

Brownies:

3 very ripe bananas (frozen and thawed is perfect)

1 ½ cups all-purpose flour

1 cup granulated sugar

1 teaspoon baking powder

½ teaspoon salt

½ teaspoon ground cinnamon (optional)

1 egg

1 stick unsalted butter, melted and cooled slightly

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Cream Cheese Frosting:

8 ounces cream cheese, softened

½ cup unsalted butter, softened

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

3 ½ – 4 cups powdered sugar

How to make it:

Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease an 9×13 inch baking pan.

In a large bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon (if using).

In a separate bowl, mash the bananas with a fork until smooth. Whisk in the egg, melted butter, and vanilla extract until well combined.

Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and stir just until combined. Be careful not to overmix.

Pour the batter into the prepared baking pan and spread evenly.

Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with moist crumbs.

Let the brownies cool completely in the pan before frosting.

Cream Cheese Frosting:

In a large bowl, cream together the softened cream cheese and butter until smooth.

Beat in the vanilla extract.

Gradually add the powdered sugar, one cup at a time, until the frosting reaches desired consistency. You may not need all 4 cups.

Once the brownies are cool, spread the frosting evenly over the top.

Add slices of banana to finish (optional)

Cut into squares and enjoy!

Tips:

For extra decadent brownies, fold in ½ cup chopped walnuts or chocolate chips into the batter before baking.

If you don’t have frozen bananas, you can use fresh ripe bananas. However, frozen and thawed bananas will yield a moister brownie.

The brownies can be stored at room temperature in an airtight container for up to 3 days, or in the refrigerator for up to a week.

Latest Reviews:

These are AMAZING! – I’m a sucker for banana bread and brownies, so this recipe was a dream come true. The brownies are so moist and flavorful, and the cream cheese frosting is the perfect tangy touch. Plus, it was super easy to make – even my kids helped out! Definitely will be making these again soon. Sally B.

Great base recipe – I followed the recipe exactly, and the brownies turned out good! The banana flavor is there, and the frosting is delicious. However, I found them to be a bit on the dry side. Maybe next time I’ll try adding some mashed avocado or using even riper bananas. Overall, a good recipe with some room for tweaking. John M.

Perfect weekend baking project! – This recipe was a fun weekend activity with my friends. We added chopped walnuts for some extra crunch, and it was a hit! The brownies are gooey and decadent, just like I like them. The only downside was waiting for them to cool before frosting – torture! I’ll definitely be keeping this recipe in my back pocket for future cravings. Karen D.

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