Description

If you love classic banana bread but crave something a little richer and more indulgent, these banana bread brownie bars are about to become your new favorite bake. They combine the soft, comforting crumb of banana bread with the dense, satisfying bite of a brownie. Finished with a silky brown butter glaze, they strike the perfect balance between cozy and decadent.

Ingredients

Scale

For the Banana Brownie Bars

2 large eggs
3 ripe bananas, mashed until smooth
1 ½ cups granulated sugar
1 cup sour cream
½ cup unsalted butter, softened
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
¾ teaspoon salt
½ cup chopped walnuts (optional)

For the Brown Butter Glaze

½ cup unsalted butter
3 cups powdered sugar
1 ½ teaspoons vanilla extract
3 tablespoons milk

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Instructions

Prepare the Oven and Pan: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Generously grease a 13 x 9-inch baking dish so the bars release easily after baking.
Blend the Base: In a large mixing bowl, combine the sugar, sour cream, softened butter, and eggs. Beat until the mixture looks creamy and fully incorporated. This step creates the foundation for a soft, tender texture.
Add Banana and Vanilla: Stir in the mashed bananas along with the vanilla extract. Make sure the bananas are well mashed so they blend evenly throughout the batter.
Mix in the Dry Ingredients: Add the flour, baking soda, and salt gradually. Stir just until everything comes together and no streaks of flour remain. Avoid overworking the batter to keep the bars light and tender.
Fold in Nuts: If using walnuts, gently mix them in at this stage. They provide a pleasant crunch and contrast to the soft crumb. You can leave them out if you prefer a smoother texture.
Bake: Spread the batter evenly in the prepared pan. Place it in the oven and bake for about 25 minutes. The top should turn lightly golden, and a toothpick inserted in the center should come out clean or with a few moist crumbs.
Brown the Butter for the Glaze: While the bars cool slightly, melt the butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Continue cooking, stirring occasionally, until it turns a warm golden brown and releases a nutty aroma. Watch closely to prevent burning.
Finish the Frosting: Remove the browned butter from heat. Gradually whisk in the powdered sugar, adding milk a little at a time until the glaze becomes smooth and spreadable. Stir in the vanilla extract.
Frost and Set: Pour the glaze over the warm (not piping hot) bars and spread it evenly with a spatula. Let them cool completely before slicing into squares for clean edges.

Notes

Use very ripe bananas. Bananas with plenty of brown speckles deliver the best sweetness and moisture.
Do not overmix the batter. Stir only until combined to prevent dense bars.
Monitor the butter carefully while browning. It should smell nutty and look golden, not dark brown or burnt.
Walnuts are optional. Omit them if you prefer a nut-free version—the texture will still be soft and delicious.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Category: Desserts

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 square
Calories: 310 kcal
Sugar: 28 g
Sodium: 180 mg
Fat: 14 g
Saturated Fat: 8 g
Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
Trans Fat: 0 g
Carbohydrates: 45 g
Fiber: 1 g
Protein: 3 g
Cholesterol: 50 mg