Description
These Banana Bread Brownies combine rich, fudgy chocolate brownies with moist banana bread swirls, creating a decadent treat with a perfect balance of flavors. Enhanced with semisweet chocolate chips and a beautiful marbled finish, these brownies are ideal for a crowd-pleasing dessert or an indulgent snack.
Ingredients
Butter and Sugars
- ¾ cup unsalted butter
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup brown sugar
Wet Ingredients
- 3 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 cup over-ripe mashed bananas (about 2 medium bananas)
Dry Ingredients
- ¾ cup all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
Chocolate Chips
- ¾ cup semisweet chocolate chips
- 2 tablespoons semisweet chocolate chips (for sprinkling)
Instructions
- Prepare the baking pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9 x 9 x 2-inch square baking pan with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure easy removal of the brownies.
- Mix butter and sugars: In a large bowl, use an electric hand mixer or whisk to cream together ¾ cup unsalted butter, 1 cup granulated sugar, and ½ cup brown sugar until smooth and creamy.
- Add eggs and vanilla: Beat in 3 large eggs and 2 teaspoons of vanilla extract to the creamed mixture until fully incorporated, creating a smooth batter base.
- Incorporate dry ingredients: Gently stir in ¾ cup all-purpose flour and ½ teaspoon salt just until combined, avoiding overmixing.
- Prepare the banana mixture: In a separate medium bowl, mash 1 cup over-ripe bananas and sprinkle ½ teaspoon baking powder over them. Stir well to combine.
- Combine half batter with bananas: Add half of the previously prepared batter to the banana mixture and stir to create the banana bread component. Set aside.
- Add cocoa and chocolate chips: To the remaining half of the batter, add ½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder and ¾ cup semisweet chocolate chips. Stir well to create the brownie batter.
- Assemble the layers: Spoon dollops of about half the brownie batter into the prepared pan. Pour the banana bread mixture over this layer. Drop spoonfuls of the remaining brownie batter on top. Using a knife, gently swirl the mixtures together to create a marbled pattern. Sprinkle 2 tablespoons semisweet chocolate chips evenly over the surface.
- Bake: Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for 40 to 45 minutes. Test doneness with a toothpick inserted in the center; it should come out clean or with just a few moist crumbs. Allow the brownies to cool completely in the pan before slicing into 16 squares.
Notes
- Use very ripe bananas for maximum sweetness and moisture.
- Be careful not to overmix the flour to keep brownies tender.
- Allow brownies to cool fully to set properly for cleaner slices.
- Parchment paper lining ensures easy removal and cleanup.
- Swirling the batters lightly prevents them from mixing completely, preserving the distinct flavors.
