Tasty banana bread brownies – Delicious & Easy!

Have you ever been caught in a delightful dilemma, choosing between the wholesome comfort of banana bread and the sumptuous, rich appeal of a chocolatey brownie? Well, what if we shared a secret that means you no longer need to pick just one? It’s true! We’re setting off on a baking journey together to craft the most superb hybrid dessert: banana bread brownies! These marvellous bakes encapsulate all the moist, banana-rich character of a beloved loaf, combined with the deep chocolate intensity of a classic brownie.

They are, quite frankly, a revelation, and we’re confident that after one taste, you’ll be completely smitten. There’s no need to look for “banana bread near me” when this exceptional delight can be created right in your own home!

What Exactly Are Banana Bread Brownies?

So, what precisely are these banana bread brownies we’re so excited about? They’re a marvellous baking creation that, just as their name implies, brings together the finest qualities of both banana bread and chocolate brownies into a single, extraordinary dessert. Picture a moist, flavour-packed banana bread mixture, elegantly swirled or layered with a sumptuous, fudgy brownie mixture, all baked until just right. The outcome is a confection with a wonderfully intricate taste: the sweet, fruity essence of banana providing a lovely contrast to the profound, rich flavour of chocolate. The texture is just as heavenly, featuring soft banana bread areas mingled with dense, chewy brownie portions. It truly is a pairing made in baking paradise!

Why You’ll Cherish This Banana Bread Brownies Recipe

We’re quite confident that this recipe for banana bread brownies will swiftly earn its place as a cherished bake in your home. Here are the reasons we’re sure you’ll be utterly captivated:

• The Perfect Union: Each mouthful delivers the comforting taste of banana bread alongside the rich indulgence of brownies. No need to compromise!
• Makes the Most of Ripe Bananas: This is a superb method for using those speckled, overripe bananas on your worktop. Indeed, the more mature they are, the more flavour they impart. This recipe is especially useful if you happen to be searching for a banana bread 2 bananas solution.
• Exceptionally Tasty: The blend of sweet banana and decadent chocolate is quite simply divine.
• Marvellous Texture: These brownies boast a moist, fudgy, and chewy consistency – a truly wonderful experience for the palate.
• Strikingly Simple: Though they appear and taste like a sophisticated delicacy, they are remarkably easy to prepare.
• Adaptable: Feel free to incorporate your preferred additions, such as chocolate chips, nuts, or even a dash of peanut butter.

For those of us who appreciate the elegance of classic bakes, you may also find pleasure in trying a traditional Banana Bread recipe, which serves as the inspiration for one part of this delightful fusion.

Ingredients for Your Scrumptious Banana Bread Brownies

Before we immerse ourselves in the baking process, let’s get all our components ready. For ease, we’ve divided them into two sections: for the banana bread mixture and for the brownie mixture.

For the Banana Bread Mixture:

• 2 medium, very ripe bananas, mashed (approximately 200-230g once mashed)
• 75g unsalted butter, melted
• 100g caster sugar (or opt for soft light brown sugar to achieve an extra hint of molasses)
• 1 large free-range egg, gently whisked
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 120g plain flour
• ½ teaspoon bicarbonate of soda
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• Optional: ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon

For the Brownie Mixture:

• 100g unsalted butter, cut into cubes
• 150g dark chocolate (with at least 70% cocoa solids), coarsely chopped
• 150g caster sugar
• 2 large free-range eggs, gently whisked
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 50g plain flour
• 25g cocoa powder (unsweetened)
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• Optional: 75g chocolate chips (milk, dark, or white varieties) or chopped nuts (walnuts or pecans are excellent choices)

Necessary Equipment

Possessing the correct utensils ensures a more seamless baking experience. Here is a list of what you will require:

• A 20cm x 20cm (8×8 inch) square baking tin
• Baking parchment
• Two medium-sized mixing bowls
• A small saucepan (for melting the butter and chocolate for the brownie mixture, or a microwave can be used)
• A whisk
• A spatula
• Measuring spoons and cups or scales
• A wire rack for cooling

Step-by-Step Instructions to Bake Perfect Banana Bread Brownies

Right then, let’s begin baking! Adhere to these straightforward instructions for truly delectable results.

Preparing the Banana Bread Mixture:

1. First, preheat your oven to 180°C (160°C Fan / Gas Mark 4). Lightly grease a 30 X 30 Cm square baking tin and line it with baking parchment, making sure there’s an overhang on two opposite sides.. This will make it easier for you to remove the brownies later.
2. In a medium-sized mixing bowl, put together the mashed ripe bananas, melted butter, caster sugar, whisked egg, and vanilla extract. Mix the ingredients thoroughly until they are completely blended together.
3. In another small bowl, whisk together the plain flour, bicarbonate of soda, salt, and ground cinnamon (if you’re including it).
4. Carefully incorporate the dry ingredients into the wet banana mixture by folding them together. with a spatula until just incorporated. Take care not to over-combine; a few small lumps are quite alright. Put this bowl to one side for now.

Preparing the Brownie Mixture:

1. In a heat-resistant bowl positioned over a saucepan of gently simmering water (or alternatively, using a microwave in brief intervals), melt the 100g of unsalted butter and 150g of dark chocolate together. Stir until the mixture is smooth and has a lovely sheen, then take it off the heat and let it cool a little for a few minutes.
2. When it has cooled slightly, stir the caster sugar into the chocolate blend.
3. Bit by bit, beat in the 2 large eggs, adding them one by one, and then add the vanilla extract. Mix until thoroughly combined and the mixture becomes thick and glossy.
4. In a separate small bowl, whisk together the 50g of plain flour, cocoa powder, and the ¼ teaspoon of salt.
5. Carefully fold these dry ingredients into the wet chocolate mixture until they are just incorporated. Once more, be mindful not to overmix. If you plan to add chocolate chips or nuts, now is the time to fold them in.

Assembling and Baking Your Banana Bread Brownies:

1. And now for the truly enjoyable stage – putting together your banana bread brownies! We have a couple of suggestions for how you might combine the mixtures:
   • Layered Method: Spread approximately two-thirds of the brownie mixture evenly across the bottom of your prepared baking tin. Next, carefully spoon the banana bread mixture on top, spreading it out gently. Distribute the remaining brownie mixture in dollops over the banana layer.
   • Marbled Effect: Alternatively, place spoonfuls of the banana bread mixture and brownie mixture into the prepared tin, alternating between the two. Next, use a skewer or knife to gently swirl the mixtures together for a marbled effect. Be careful not to over-swirl, as this can cause the colors to blend excessively.
2. Put the dish in the preheated oven and bake it for 30 to 40 minutes.
3. After baking, take the tin out of the oven and allow the banana bread brownies to cool entirely within the tin, placed on a wire rack. This step is vital for them to set correctly and also simplifies cutting them. A little patience at this stage is very important!
4. Once they have cooled down completely, use the overhanging baking parchment to lift the brownies from the tin. Slice into squares and they’re ready to serve. We hope you relish your home-baked creation!

Watch: Crafting Delicious Banana Bread Brownies

Sometimes, a visual guide can be incredibly useful! Here is an insightful video demonstrating a comparable method for making these wonderful treats. Although the recipe details might differ a little, the fundamental techniques for combining the mixtures and baking them are often quite alike.

Our Best Advice for Perfect Banana Bread Brownies

We’re keen for your banana bread brownies to turn out absolutely wonderfully. Here are some of our most valuable suggestions:

• Employ Very Ripe Bananas: The more speckled and softer your bananas are, the sweeter and more flavourful they will be. This is crucial for achieving that authentic banana bread taste. This recipe is particularly effective as a banana bread with two bananas, offering an excellent way to utilise a smaller amount.
• Avoid Overmixing the Mixtures: Overmixing encourages gluten development in the flour, which can result in tough brownies and a dense banana bread. Mix only until the ingredients are just incorporated to achieve the ideal texture.
• The Importance of Quality Chocolate: For the brownie mixture, select a good quality dark chocolate (with a minimum of 70% cocoa solids) to ensure a rich and intense flavour.
• Be Patient During Cooling: We understand the urge to enjoy them immediately, but letting the banana bread brownies cool down completely in the tin is paramount. They solidify as they cool, which makes them easier to slice neatly and enhances their fudgy consistency.
• Remember to Line the Tin: Do not overlook lining your tin with baking parchment and creating an overhang. This makes the removal of the brownies significantly simpler and tidier.
• Test for Doneness with Care: The skewer test is an invaluable tool. You are aiming for moist crumbs, not wet mixture. If the skewer emerges entirely clean, they may be slightly overdone.
• Use Eggs at Room Temperature: Incorporating eggs that are at room temperature helps them blend more effectively into the mixture, contributing to a lighter final texture.

Variations and Personal Touches

One of the true joys of baking is adapting a recipe to make it uniquely yours! Here are some creative suggestions for personalising your banana bread brownies:

• A Nutty Twist: Incorporate a handful of chopped walnuts, pecans, or even hazelnuts into one or both mixtures for added texture and taste.
• Chocolate Chip Galore: Fold in additional chocolate chips – be they milk, dark, white, or a combination – into the banana bread mixture, or scatter them on top prior to baking.
• Spice Things Up: Elevate the banana bread mixture by adding other comforting spices such as nutmeg, allspice, or a touch of cardamom along with the cinnamon.
• Peanut Butter Swirl Sensation: For a truly rich variation, gently warm a few tablespoons of smooth peanut butter and create a swirl on the surface of the mixtures before they go into the oven.
• A Hint of Coffee: Introduce a teaspoon of instant espresso powder to the brownie mixture to deepen and enrich the chocolate flavour.
• Considering Healthier Adjustments: Whilst these are certainly an indulgent pleasure, one could investigate ways to make them a touch healthier. Think about marginally reducing the sugar content in both mixtures, or substituting a part of the plain flour in the banana bread element with wholemeal flour. For individuals specifically seeking healthy banana recipes, this bake can fit into a balanced approach to eating when consumed in moderation. Should you wish to decrease sugar further, recipes for sugar free banana bread could offer inspiration and adaptable principles, although a completely sugar-free iteration of this combined bake would necessitate considerable recipe experimentation. You might consider replacing some sugar with natural sweeteners like maple syrup (remembering to adjust liquid quantities), but be aware this will alter the texture.

If you have a particular interest in baking with less sugar, you may find our special Sugar-Free Banana Bread recipe provides a helpful foundation for grasping sugar substitution in bakes featuring bananas.

How to Store Your Banana Bread Brownies

To keep your banana bread brownies delicious and fresh, make sure to follow these tips: Store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. Should your kitchen be on the warmer side, or if you wish for them to keep a bit longer (up to 5 days), they can be stored in the refrigerator. When chilled, the brownies will become firmer and delightfully fudgier!

For extended storage, these brownies are also excellent for freezing. Wrap individual portions securely in cling film, then transfer them to a freezer-suitable bag or container. They can be kept frozen for up to 3 months. Allow them to thaw at room temperature, or warm them gently in the microwave before you plan to serve them.

The Search for Ideal Bananas: Understanding Ripeness

The true hero of the “banana bread” element in our brownies is, naturally, the banana. The maturity of your bananas plays a considerable role in both the flavour and moistness of your final bake. For the most delicious banana bread brownies, you’ll need bananas that are considerably riper than you’d prefer for eating as they are. We recommend looking for these signs:

• Abundant Brown Speckles: A greater number of brown or black spots is preferable. This is a sign that the starches have transformed into sugars, resulting in a sweeter fruit.
• Yielding to a Gentle Squeeze: They ought to feel soft when lightly pressed.
• Aromatic: Mature bananas will exude a potent, sweet banana fragrance.

Should your bananas not be quite ripe enough, you can accelerate the ripening by putting them in a paper bag (perhaps with an apple or a ripe tomato, which release more ethylene gas) for a day or so. As another option, you could bake unpeeled bananas on a baking sheet at 150°C (300°F) for about 15-30 minutes, or until their skins turn black and they become soft. Allow them to cool down before you mash them.

And do keep in mind, this recipe is superb if you find yourself specifically making banana bread 2 bananas – a frequent amount to have remaining!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Is it alright to use frozen bananas?

Yes, most certainly! Allow frozen bananas to thaw fully, either at room temperature or in the microwave. Be sure to drain away any surplus liquid before mashing and incorporating them into your recipe. They are an excellent choice as they are typically very ripe at the point of freezing.

Can I prepare these banana bread brownies to be gluten-free?

You could attempt to replace the plain flour with a high-quality gluten-free all-purpose flour blend (choose one that includes xanthan gum, or add it as per the packet instructions). The resulting texture may vary slightly, but they should still be quite delightful.

Is it possible to make these dairy-free?

Indeed, you can create dairy-free banana bread brownies. For the banana bread mixture, opt for a dairy-free butter substitute or a neutral-tasting oil. For the brownie mixture, use a dairy-free butter alternative and confirm that your dark chocolate is also dairy-free (many dark chocolates with high cocoa content are inherently dairy-free, but it’s always wise to verify the label).

My brownies appear overly gooey in the centre. What might have happened?

It’s possible they were slightly underbaked, as oven performances can differ. For your next batch, consider baking them for an extra 5-10 minutes. Additionally, make certain they cool entirely within the tin, as they continue to firm up during this period. A touch of gooeyness is often sought after in fudgy brownies, but they shouldn’t be uncooked.

Can this recipe be doubled?

Yes, you can certainly double the quantities and bake it in a more substantial tin, for example, a 23cm x 33cm (9×13 inch) rectangular baking tin. You will probably need to modify the baking time, extending it by 10-15 minutes or possibly longer. Do monitor them closely and employ the skewer test.

What is the most effective method for slicing banana bread brownies neatly?

Firstly, ensure they have cooled completely (or are even chilled, if you’d rather). Employ a large, keen-edged knife. To achieve exceptionally clean slices, wipe the knife blade with a moist, warm cloth after each cut.

Conclusion: Your Next Cherished Bake is Here!

We genuinely feel that these banana bread brownies represent a truly transformative bake, destined to capture both hearts and palates. By marrying the cosy, fruity character of banana bread with the sumptuous, deep fudginess of chocolate brownies, we’ve crafted a dessert that truly delivers the finest aspects of each. It’s a perfect recipe for utilising those overripe bananas and a wonderful endeavour for a weekend spent baking.

We’ve guided you through each stage, from assembling your ingredients to mastering that ideal swirl and achieving a perfect bake. Armed with our advice and suggestions, you are now splendidly equipped to produce a batch of these utterly tempting treats. So, it’s time to preheat your oven, mash those bananas, and prepare for your kitchen to be filled with the most delightful fragrance!

We would be thrilled to learn about your experience making these banana bread brownies! Please do share your results, any personal touches you added, or any queries you might have in the comments section below. Joyful baking to you!

And should you be in search of further inspiration, why not explore our other well-loved recipes? Happy baking to all!

For additional baking wisdom and guidance, resources such as BBC Good Food’s baking tips for beginners may prove beneficial on your baking adventures.