Banana Bread Brownie Bars (Printable version)
Moist brownie bars swirled with ripe bananas—a perfect fusion of two beloved classics.
# Ingredient list:
→ Banana Bread Layer
01 - 1 cup mashed ripe bananas (approximately 2 medium)
02 - 1/2 cup granulated sugar
03 - 1/3 cup unsalted butter, melted
04 - 1 large egg
05 - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
06 - 1 cup all-purpose flour
07 - 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
08 - 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
09 - 1/4 teaspoon salt
→ Brownie Layer
10 - 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
11 - 3/4 cup granulated sugar
12 - 2 large eggs
13 - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
14 - 1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
15 - 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
16 - 1/4 teaspoon salt
17 - 1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
# Directions:
01 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Line an 8x8-inch baking pan with parchment paper, allowing overhang on sides for easy removal.
02 - Combine mashed bananas, sugar, melted butter, egg, and vanilla extract in a medium bowl. Whisk until smooth and fully incorporated.
03 - Add flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt to banana mixture. Stir gently until just combined—avoid overmixing to prevent tough texture. Set aside.
04 - In a separate bowl, whisk melted butter and sugar until combined. Add eggs and vanilla, beating until mixture appears glossy and slightly thickened.
05 - Sift in cocoa powder, flour, and salt. Fold until no dry streaks remain, then gently stir in chocolate chips until evenly distributed.
06 - Spread half of banana batter across bottom of prepared pan. Top with brownie batter, then drop remaining banana batter in spoonfuls over brownie layer.
07 - Drag knife or skewer through batters in swirling motion to create marbled pattern. Avoid over-swirling to maintain distinct layers.
08 - Bake for 28 to 32 minutes until toothpick inserted near center emerges with moist crumbs attached. Center should appear set but slightly fudgy.
09 - Cool completely in pan on wire rack. Using parchment overhang, lift bars from pan and cut into 16 equal squares for serving.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- You get the best of both worlds without having to choose between comforting banana bread and fudgy brownies
- The marbled swirl looks impressive but takes zero artistic skill to achieve
02 -
- Overmixing the banana batter makes the texture tough instead of tender
- Underbaking leaves a fudgy texture but overbaking dries out both layers completely
03 -
- Ripen bananas quickly by baking them at 350 degrees F for 15 minutes then cool before mashing
- Use room temperature ingredients to prevent the melted butter from seizing when mixed