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Banana Bread Brownie Bars with Brown Butter Glaze Recipe

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★★★★★

5 from 72 reviews

These Banana Bread Brownies Bars combine the best of banana bread and brownies into one moist, flavorful treat. With a tender crumb packed with ripe bananas and a delicious brown butter glaze topping, these bars are perfect for dessert or a sweet snack. The addition of chocolate chips and chopped nuts adds delightful texture and richness.

Ingredients

Scale

Banana Bread Brownies Bars

  • 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
  • 1 cup plain Greek yogurt (or sour cream)
  • ½ cup butter, softened
  • 2 large eggs
  • 3–4 ripe bananas, mashed
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • ¾ teaspoon salt
  • Chopped walnuts or pecans (optional, amount as desired)
  • Mini milk or semi-sweet chocolate chips (optional, amount as desired)

Brown Butter Glaze

  • 4 tablespoons butter
  • 2 cups powdered sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1–2 tablespoons milk

Instructions

  1. Preheat and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 375°F (≈190°C) and grease a 9×13-inch baking pan with non-stick cooking spray to ensure the bars do not stick.
  2. Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large bowl, cream together the granulated sugar and softened butter using a hand mixer or stand mixer until the mixture is light and fluffy, which helps incorporate air for a tender texture.
  3. Add Wet Ingredients: Beat in the Greek yogurt (or sour cream), eggs, mashed bananas, and vanilla extract until everything is well combined and smooth, creating a moist batter base.
  4. Incorporate Dry Ingredients: Add the flour, baking soda, and salt to the wet ingredients. Mix just until the dry ingredients are moistened and fully incorporated, being careful not to overmix. If desired, fold in chopped nuts and/or chocolate chips for added texture and flavor.
  5. Spread Batter and Bake: Pour and spread the batter evenly into the prepared baking pan. Place in the preheated oven and bake for 23–28 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean or with only a few moist crumbs.
  6. Prepare Brown Butter Glaze: While the bars bake, melt the butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Let it cook until it takes on a light golden-brown color and releases a nutty aroma, indicating the butter has browned. Remove the skillet from heat immediately to avoid burning.
  7. Make Glaze: Whisk in powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and 1 tablespoon of milk into the browned butter until smooth. Adjust consistency by adding more milk if too thick or more powdered sugar if too thin, aiming for a spreadable glaze.
  8. Glaze the Bars: As soon as the banana bread brownies bars come out of the oven and are still warm, pour the brown butter glaze evenly over the top. Gently spread the glaze with the back of a spoon or a spatula for an even coating.
  9. Cool and Serve: Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan to let the glaze set before cutting into squares and serving for best texture and flavor.

Notes

  • Use very ripe bananas for the best natural sweetness and moistness.
  • Greek yogurt can be substituted with sour cream for a similar texture and tang.
  • Chopped nuts and chocolate chips are optional but add great texture and flavor.
  • Be careful not to burn the brown butter while making the glaze; remove from heat as soon as it turns golden brown and smells nutty.
  • Allow bars to cool completely before cutting to ensure clean squares and set glaze.

Keywords: banana bread bars, banana brownies, brown butter glaze, banana dessert bars, easy banana dessert

Find it online: https://kochenmitviktoria.com/banana-bread-brownie-bars-with-brown-butter-glaze-recipe/