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Moist Banana Brownies Frosting

Featured in: Desserts for Every Sweet Craving

Give your ripe bananas a bold upgrade with these banana brownies. They're dense, moist, and merge the charm of banana bread with the chew of a brownie. The browned butter and honey mix magic into the recipe with caramelized sweetness. Frosted with nutty brown butter icing, they pair perfectly with the warm crunch of walnuts. A hearty mix of wheat and white flours offers structure while keeping them soft. A treat to use up those bananas on the counter!
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Updated on Mon, 28 Apr 2025 14:05:04 GMT
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Chewy Banana Brownies Frosting | tastefullyrecipe.com

These fudgy, tender banana bread brownies turn those too-soft bananas into a mouthwatering snack that blends traditional banana bread tastes with the fudgy, satisfying bite of an excellent brownie. Topped with nutty browned butter icing, this homemade dessert becomes something extra special that'll wow your taste buds.

I've baked these tons of times for family get-togethers, and I've learned that waiting until they're totally cool before adding the frosting really makes them perfect. My grandkids always grab for the corner pieces first - they love how the edges get slightly crisp while staying super moist inside.

Key Ingredients Breakdown

  • Spotty bananas: Go for heavily freckled ones for the biggest flavor punch and natural sweetness. The squishier they are, the better they'll work
  • White whole wheat flour: Gives a softer result than standard whole wheat but keeps all the good nutrition. Try King Arthur brand for best results
  • Unsalted butter: Lets you control the salt level yourself. Fancy European-style butters turn golden brown really nicely because they've got more fat
  • Raw honey: Adds rich sweetness and helps everything stay moist. The darker amber kinds really bring out the banana flavor

Whipping Up Your Treats

Setting the Foundation:
Lightly brown your walnuts till they smell amazing, giving your brownies that wonderful nutty background.
Getting Butter Golden:
Let butter bubble gently until it turns golden and smells like hazelnuts, typically 5-7 minutes on low heat.
Putting It All Together:
Mix wet stuff until smooth, then gently add dry ingredients just until you can't see any flour.
Tossing In Nuts:
Scatter toasted walnuts throughout, making sure they're evenly spread without mixing too much.
Baking To Perfection:
They're done when the sides start pulling away and the middle bounces back when you poke it.
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Delicious Banana Bread Brownies | tastefullyrecipe.com

The browned butter really makes this treat special for my family. My little girl used to skip birthday cake and ask for these brownies instead, telling me the toasty butter smell always made her think of our lazy weekend breakfasts together.

Perfect Pairings

Nothing beats these brownies with a big scoop of plain vanilla ice cream or alongside a steaming mug of spicy chai. For breakfast, warm them slightly and add a spoonful of Greek yogurt with a little honey drizzled on top.

Tasty Twists

Mix things up by throwing in chunks of dark chocolate, adding swirls of peanut butter before they go in the oven, or mixing in toasted coconut for a vacation vibe. If you've got friends who can't have gluten, a good quality one-to-one gluten-free flour works great too.

Storage Smarts

Keep your brownies fresh in a glass container with a snug lid, putting wax paper between the layers so they don't stick together. They'll stay super moist for four days on your counter or up to three months if you freeze them.

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Banana Bread Brownies Close-up Shot | tastefullyrecipe.com

I've tweaked this recipe for years, and it's now my go-to way to make banana bread even better. The mix of toasty butter, crunchy nuts, and super-ripe bananas creates something that's fancy but still feels like home - exactly what good baking should do.

Frequently Asked Questions

→ Can these brownies go in the freezer?
Yes! Freeze them with or without frosting in a sealed container for up to three months. Let them thaw overnight in the fridge.
→ What if I don't have walnuts?
Swap in chocolate chips, white chocolate, or peanut butter chips instead. Use the same amount for great results.
→ How do I tell if they're baked through?
Check if the edges are browned and use a toothpick in the center. If it comes out clean, they’re ready. This usually takes 22-25 minutes.
→ How long will these stay good?
They’ll keep fresh for around 3 days when stored in a sealed container in the fridge.
→ Why’s the brown butter icing so amazing?
Browning the butter adds a deep, nutty touch to the frosting, giving it a richer taste than a regular buttercream.

Banana Brownies Frosting

A dreamy blend of soft banana bread and chewy brownie topped with sweet brown butter frosting.

Prep Time
25 Minutes
Cook Time
22 Minutes
Total Time
47 Minutes
By: Patricia


Difficulty: Intermediate

Cuisine: American

Yield: 16 Servings (16 squares)

Dietary: Vegetarian

Ingredients

→ Base for Banana Brownies

01 1 cup walnut halves, raw
02 6 tbsp butter, unsalted
03 1 cup ripe bananas, mashed (around 3 medium bananas)
04 ⅔ cup honey
05 ⅓ cup brown sugar, can use light or dark
06 1 egg, large
07 2 tsp vanilla extract, pure
08 ¾ cup white whole wheat flour
09 ¾ cup regular all-purpose flour
10 ½ tsp ground cinnamon
11 1 tsp baking powder
12 ¼ tsp baking soda
13 ¼ tsp salt, kosher

→ Frosting (Brown Butter)

14 6 tbsp butter, unsalted
15 1 ½ cups powdered sugar
16 1 tsp vanilla extract, pure
17 1-2 tbsp heavy cream, milk, or half-and-half

Instructions

Step 01

Turn the oven on to 350°F. Use parchment paper to line an 8×8 pan, leaving a bit over the edges, and coat it with nonstick spray. Spread walnuts on a baking sheet, toast for about 8-10 minutes (stir them halfway), then roughly chop once aromatic.

Step 02

In a light-colored saucepan, cook butter on medium-low until golden brown and nutty-smelling, about 3–5 minutes. Mash the bananas in a big bowl, then immediately pour browned butter over them. Add both honey and brown sugar, mixing till smooth. When slightly cooler, stir in the egg and vanilla.

Step 03

Stir the dry ingredients together in their own bowl. Mix the dry stuff into the banana mixture, just enough to get rid of flour streaks. Carefully fold in walnuts. Spread the batter evenly in the lined pan. Bake for 22-25 minutes, or until a toothpick poked in the middle comes out clean and the edges are golden.

Step 04

In the same pan, brown butter once more. Let it cool a little before stirring in powdered sugar gradually. Add cream or milk gradually until it’s the right consistency to spread, then finish with the vanilla. Wait until the brownies are totally cool to frost, then slice.

Notes

  1. Walnuts can be swapped with 2/3 cup chocolate chips, peanut butter chips, or white chocolate chips.
  2. Store in a sealed container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
  3. They freeze well for as long as 3 months, either with frosting or without.

Tools You'll Need

  • Baking pan (8×8 inches)
  • Parchment paper
  • Baking sheet with edges
  • A saucepan with light-colored base
  • Bowls for mixing
  • A whisk
  • Spatula (rubber)

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.
  • Includes walnuts (nuts)
  • Contains butter and cream (dairy)
  • Eggs are included
  • Uses wheat-based flour (gluten)

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.
  • Calories: 290
  • Total Fat: 14 g
  • Total Carbohydrate: 40 g
  • Protein: 3 g