Banana Bread Brownie Bars (Printable version)
Moist chocolatey layers swirled with sweet ripe bananas create this irresistible fusion dessert, ready in under an hour.
# Ingredient List:
→ Banana Bread Layer
01 - 1 cup ripe bananas, about 2 medium, mashed
02 - 1/2 cup granulated sugar
03 - 1/3 cup unsalted butter, melted
04 - 1 large egg
05 - 1 tsp vanilla extract
06 - 1 cup all-purpose flour
07 - 1/2 tsp baking powder
08 - 1/4 tsp baking soda
09 - 1/4 tsp salt
→ Brownie Layer
10 - 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
11 - 3/4 cup granulated sugar
12 - 2 large eggs
13 - 1 tsp vanilla extract
14 - 1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
15 - 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
16 - 1/4 tsp salt
17 - 1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
# How to Make It:
01 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Line an 8x8-inch baking pan with parchment paper, allowing overhang for easy removal.
02 - In a medium bowl, combine mashed bananas, sugar, melted butter, egg, and vanilla extract. Whisk until smooth and fully incorporated.
03 - Add flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt to banana mixture. Stir gently until just combined, being careful not to overmix. Set aside.
04 - In a separate bowl, whisk together melted butter and sugar until smooth. Add eggs and vanilla, mixing until mixture appears glossy and thickened.
05 - Sift in cocoa powder, flour, and salt. Stir until just combined, then fold in chocolate chips until evenly distributed.
06 - Spread half of banana batter evenly across prepared pan. Top with brownie batter, then dollop remaining banana batter over surface in spoonfuls.
07 - Run knife or skewer through batters in circular or zigzag motion to create marbled pattern, being careful not to over-blend layers.
08 - Bake for 28-32 minutes until toothpick inserted near center emerges with a few moist crumbs. Center should be set but slightly fudgy.
09 - Let cool completely in pan. Using parchment overhang, lift bars out and cut into 16 equal squares for serving.
# Expert Suggestions:
01 -
- You get two distinct textures in every bite, fudgy chocolate meeting tender banana bread
- The swirl looks impressive but takes literally seconds to create
- Perfect for using up those bananas nobody wants to eat plain anymore
02 -
- Do not overmix either batter or the texture will become tough instead of tender
- Room temperature ingredients blend together much more smoothly than cold ones
- The bars continue cooking slightly in the hot pan, so pulling them out a touch early is better than overbaking
03 -
- Add half a cup of chopped walnuts to the brownie layer for extra texture and nuttiness
- Let the bananas ripen on the counter until they are almost black for maximum sweetness