Banana Bread Brownies Brown Butter Frosting (Print Version)
Fusion bars combining banana bread and brownies with caramelized butter frosting
# What You'll Need:
→ Banana Bread Brownies
01 - 1 cup unsalted butter, melted
02 - 2 cups granulated sugar
03 - 4 large eggs
04 - 1 ½ cups mashed ripe bananas (about 3-4 bananas)
05 - 2 tsp vanilla extract
06 - 2 cups all-purpose flour
07 - 1 tsp baking powder
08 - ½ tsp salt
→ Brown Butter Frosting
09 - ½ cup unsalted butter
10 - 2 cups powdered sugar, sifted
11 - 2-3 tbsp milk
12 - 1 tsp vanilla extract
13 - Pinch of salt
# How to Make It:
01 - Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line a 9x13-inch baking pan with parchment paper and lightly grease.
02 - In a large bowl, whisk together melted butter and sugar until smooth.
03 - Add eggs one at a time, mixing well after each, then stir in mashed bananas and vanilla extract.
04 - In a separate bowl, combine flour, baking powder, and salt.
05 - Fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture until just combined—do not overmix.
06 - Spread batter evenly into the prepared pan. Bake for 27–32 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Let cool completely in the pan.
07 - For the frosting: In a saucepan over medium heat, cook butter until it turns golden brown and smells nutty, about 4–5 minutes. Remove from heat and let cool slightly for 5 minutes.
08 - In a mixing bowl, combine the browned butter, powdered sugar, 2 tbsp milk, vanilla extract, and salt. Beat until the frosting is smooth and spreadable, adding up to 1 more tablespoon of milk if needed.
09 - Spread frosting over cooled brownies. Cut into squares and serve.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- The texture lives somewhere between fudgy brownie and quick bread, hitting both cravings at once
- Browned butter frosting transforms ordinary banana flavor into something caramel and deep
- These somehow taste better on day two, if you can manage to keep them that long
02 -
- Overmixed batter makes tough brownies, so stop as soon as the flour disappears
- Browned butter goes from perfect to burned in seconds, so have your other ingredients ready before you start
- Frosting goes on warm brownies will melt right off, so patience is not optional here
03 -
- Line your pan with parchment paper leaving overhanging edges for effortless removal
- Use very ripe bananas with plenty of brown spots for the deepest flavor