Mashed bananas, Greek yogurt, butter, eggs, and flour come together to create soft and rich Banana Bread Brownies with a simple, buttery glaze.
So here’s the thing. Last week, I found myself staring down three very sad, spotty bananas. You know the ones. Too ripe for snacking, but way too precious to toss. I mean, I couldn’t just give up on them, right?
Usually, I’d whip up my usual banana bread and call it a day. But this time? Nope. I wanted something different. Something… a little indulgent. A little fun.
That’s when it hit me. Banana Bread Brownies. What if I could take that classic cozy banana flavor and mix it with the soft, dense texture of brownies? Basically, create a mash-up that makes your taste buds do a little happy dance.
Spoiler alert: it worked. Oh, did it work.
The best part? The glaze. It’s glossy, buttery, and when poured warm over the bars? Magic. Not even kidding. These instantly became one of those recipes you make once… and then make again immediately because your family polishes them off faster than you thought humanly possible. Sound familiar?
Why You’ll Love This Banana Bread Brownies Recipe?
Okay, so here’s why I’m completely obsessed (and why you might be too):
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Texture Heaven: Not quite banana bread, not quite fudgy brownies… but somewhere dreamy in between.
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That Glaze, Though: It soaks in just enough to make each bite melt in your mouth, while still leaving a soft crackle on top.
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Bananas Finally Get the Spotlight: No more hiding ripe bananas in smoothies. Let them shine here.
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Ridiculously Easy: No fancy ingredients. No weird steps. Just mix, bake, glaze, and devour.
Seriously, these are perfect when you want something easy, comforting, and a little fancy-feeling without actually being fancy. (We love that, right?)
Ingredient Notes:
Before you jump in, let’s chat about what’s going in the bowl — and why each one matters.
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Granulated Sugar: For sweetness and structure. Pretty straightforward.
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Greek Yogurt or Sour Cream: Adds insane moisture. Trust me, don’t skip this.
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Butter: Makes everything rich and soft. Enough said.
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Eggs: Holds it all together and gives structure.
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Mashed Bananas: The star. Use very ripe ones. The more spots, the better.
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Vanilla Extract: Tiny addition, big flavor boost.
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All-Purpose Flour, Baking Soda, Salt: Our classic dry trio — they do the heavy lifting.
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Glaze Stuff (Butter, Powdered Sugar, Vanilla, Milk): The icing on the cake (or in this case, on the brownie). Super simple but so good.
How To Make Banana Bread Brownies?
Okay, friend. Let’s make magic happen.
Step 1: Preheat your oven to 375°F. Grease up your 9×13 baking dish. Trust me — you don’t wanna be scraping stuck brownies later.
Step 2: Mix together the butter and sugar until creamy. Then stir in the yogurt (or sour cream), eggs, bananas, and vanilla. You’ll get a smooth, dreamy batter.
Step 3: Whisk the flour, baking soda, and salt in another bowl. Slowly add this to the wet ingredients. Don’t overdo it — just mix until combined.
Step 4: Pour that beautiful batter into your pan and spread it evenly. Bake for about 23-28 minutes. You want the top set and a toothpick to come out with just a few moist crumbs.
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Step 5: While that bakes, make your glaze. Melt butter, whisk in powdered sugar, vanilla, and just enough milk to make it pourable.
Step 6: The second your brownies come out, pour the glaze all over. Spread it gently so every bite gets a little love. Let it cool… if you can wait.
That’s it. Banana Bread Brownies, ready to steal the show.
Storage Options:
If you don’t eat them all right away (respect if you do), here’s how to store them:
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Countertop: Airtight container for up to 3 days.
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Fridge: Lasts up to a week if you want them chilled and a little firmer.
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Freezer: Oh yes, they freeze like a dream. Slice, wrap, and stash for up to 2 months.
Bonus tip? Warm them up for 10 seconds in the microwave before eating. Game changer.
Variations and Substitutions:
Feeling creative? Try these:
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Add Chocolate Chips: Because bananas + chocolate = yes.
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Chopped Nuts: Pecans or walnuts for crunch.
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Cinnamon: Add a pinch for cozy vibes.
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No glaze: Still amazing, but really… treat yourself.
Recipes are meant to be played with. You do you.
What to Serve with Banana Bread Brownies?
These don’t need anything… but if you’re going big:
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Coffee or Tea: Perfect lazy afternoon snack.
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Ice Cream: Warm brownies + cold ice cream = swoon.
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Fresh Berries: Adds freshness and makes it feel extra special.
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Glass of Milk: Classic. Simple. Always right.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Can I make them ahead of time?
Yes, and honestly… they taste even better the next day. More flavor. More moist. Worth the wait.
Do I have to use ripe bananas?
Yep. The riper, the sweeter. If they’re almost black? Perfect.
Is the glaze a must?
Technically no. But c’mon — once you try it with the glaze, you’ll never skip it again.
And there you have it — your new go-to for whenever bananas are begging to be used or you just want something ridiculously comforting. These Banana Bread Brownies aren’t just dessert… they’re a little slice of happy.
So… are you already planning when to make them? I hope so! If you do, drop a comment or send me a pic. I seriously love seeing how they turn out in other kitchens!
<Remember it later>
Planning to try this recipe soon? Pin it for a quick find later!
<Remember it later>
Planning to try this recipe soon? Pin it for a quick find later!
Keep the Flavor Coming – Try These:
Banana Bread Brownies
Ingredients
For the Banana Bread Bars:
- 1-1/2 c granulated sugar
- 1 c plain Greek yogurt or sour cream
- 1/2 c butter softened
- 2 large eggs
- 3-4 ripe bananas mashed
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 c all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 3/4 tsp salt
For the Glaze:
- 4 tbsp butter
- 2 c powdered sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1-2 tbsp milk
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a baking pan measuring 9x13 inches using a nonstick spray.
- In a bowl combine softened butter and granulated sugar until it becomes creamy.
- Beat in Greek yogurt (or sour cream) eggs, mashed bananas and vanilla extract into the mixture of butter and sugar.
- In another bowl whisk together all-purpose flour, baking soda and salt.
- Add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture while stirring until everything is combined.
- Pour the batter into the prepared pan spreading it evenly. Bake for 23 to 28 minutes or, until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean or with a few crumbs.
- While waiting for the brownies to bake melt four tablespoons of butter. Mix in sugar, vanilla extract and milk until it forms a glaze.
- Once baked pour the warm glaze, over the brownies gently spreading it. Allow them to cool before serving.
- Enjoy these Banana Bread Brownies!
Notes
I’m Bitty, owner of nodashofgluten.com, where I share simple, delicious recipes for all tastes, including gluten-free. Check out my “About Me” page for more info!
4 Responses
I’ve made this twice and it’s absolutely perfect! Thank you!
LOVE this recipe! And so do my neighbors who I have shared it with! (I did add a tsp of cinnamon and a dash of nutmeg) Delicious! ******
This is absolutely delicious! I’ve made it quite a few times for my different work & it always get ATE on up & many compliments!! Thank you!
Hi Ayrianna,
I’m so thrilled to hear that the Banana Bread Brownies have been such a hit! 😊 It’s awesome that you’ve made them multiple times and received so many compliments—sounds like they’re a real crowd-pleaser! Thank you so much for sharing your experience, and I’m so glad you enjoyed them!