The Ultimate Banana Bread Brownies Recipe: A Fudgy, Chocolatey Dream

Have you ever been faced with that familiar kitchen quandary: a bunch of browning, overripe bananas sitting on the counter? The debate begins—should you bake a comforting loaf of classic banana bread, or indulge a craving for rich, deeply chocolatey brownies? It’s a delightful dilemma. But what if we told you there’s no need to choose?

Allow us to introduce your new favourite sweet creation. We have developed the ultimate recipe that perfectly blends the moist, aromatic sweetness of banana bread with the dense, fudgy intensity of a proper chocolate brownie. This isn’t just another bake; it’s the delicious answer to indecision and the most glorious destiny for those spotty bananas. These are truly the most sensational chocolate banana brownies you’ll ever bake, and we’re here to guide you through every step.

This is a wonderfully easy banana brownies from scratch recipe, crafted for bakers of every skill level. Whether you’re a seasoned expert or a complete novice, you’ll find this method simple and deeply satisfying. Forget about complex procedures and a sink full of dishes; this bake is about straightforward ingredients and phenomenal flavour, culminating in an utterly unforgettable gooey banana dessert.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• The Best of Both Worlds: It beautifully combines the moist, fruity character of banana bread with the dense, chewy, chocolate-rich texture of a superb brownie. Each mouthful is a wonderful fusion of flavours.
• The Ultimate Way to Use Ripe Bananas: We all end up with them! This recipe elevates those less-than-perfect, overripe bananas into a truly spectacular treat, preventing any food waste. The riper the banana, the more natural sweetness and flavour your brownies will have.
• Incredibly Simple and Quick: This is a true one-bowl banana brownies recipe. With minimal fuss and fewer dishes, the batter comes together in less than 15 minutes, making it ideal for satisfying a sudden dessert craving.
• Crowd-Pleasing Flavour: The classic pairing of sweet banana and rich chocolate is an undeniable hit. These brownies are wonderful for bake sales, family get-togethers, or simply as a comforting afternoon treat with a lovely cup of tea.
• Wonderfully Fudgy Texture: We have meticulously balanced the ingredients to ensure these are not merely banana-flavoured cakes. They boast that hallmark dense, moist, and supremely fudgy brownie texture that everyone loves.

Ingredients

• 150g unsalted butter, melted
• 200g light brown soft sugar
• 50g granulated sugar
• 2 large free-range eggs
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 250g very ripe bananas, mashed (about 2-3 large bananas)
• 140g plain flour
• 65g unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 180g dark chocolate chips or chunks, divided

How to Make Banana Brownies: A Step-by-Step Guide

Creating our banana bread brownies recipe is a delightfully straightforward experience. Follow these instructions closely, and you’ll soon be rewarded with a tray of chocolate-banana bliss. Before you start, it’s worth remembering that the key to a perfect brownie is patience, especially during the cooling stage!

Step 1: Preparation is Key

1. Preheat your oven to 180°C (160°C Fan / Gas Mark 4).
2. Grease and line a 20cm (8-inch) square baking tin with baking parchment, ensuring you leave some overhang on two opposite sides. This “sling” will make lifting the brownies out later much easier.

Step 2: Combine the Wet Ingredients

1. In a large bowl, pour the melted butter. Add both the light brown and granulated sugars, then whisk them together until fully combined and the mixture looks smooth.
2. Add the eggs one by one, whisking thoroughly after each addition until the mixture has lightened in colour and has a slight sheen. Now, stir in the vanilla extract.
3. Tip your mashed ripe bananas into the bowl and mix until they are completely integrated. A few small lumps of banana are perfectly fine; they contribute to the lovely final texture.

Step 3: Add the Dry Ingredients

1. Set a sieve over your large bowl. Add the plain flour, unsweetened cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt. Sifting these ingredients helps to remove any lumps and ensures a smooth, consistent brownie texture.
2. Using a spatula or a large spoon, gently fold the dry ingredients into the wet. It is crucial to stop as soon as the last streaks of flour disappear. Over-mixing can develop the gluten, resulting in a cake-like brownie rather than a fudgy one.

Step 4: Fold in the Chocolate and Bake

1. Set aside a handful of chocolate chips to sprinkle on top. Gently fold the remaining chocolate chips into the batter.
2. Pour the batter into your prepared tin and use the spatula to smooth it into an even layer, reaching all the corners. Scatter the reserved chocolate chips over the surface.
3. Bake for 25–30 minutes. The brownies are ready when the edges look set and a skewer inserted into the centre comes out with a few moist, fudgy crumbs clinging to it. If the skewer is clean, they are slightly over-baked.

Step 5: The All-Important Cooling Stage

1. Take the tin out of the oven and set it on a wire rack to cool down completely. We understand how tempting it is to cut into them straight away, but this step is essential! Cooling allows the brownies to firm up, achieving that signature dense and fudgy consistency.
2. Once they are fully cooled, use the parchment sling to carefully lift the brownie slab from the tin. Place it on a chopping board and cut it into squares. Enjoy your delicious creation!

Tips for the Perfect Fudgy Banana Brownies

We’re committed to making your baking experience a complete success. Here are some of our expert pointers to help you achieve the ultimate brownie flavour and texture with every batch.

The Secret is in the Bananas

For the deepest flavour and sweetness, it’s vital to use very ripe bananas. We mean the ones that are covered in brown speckles or have turned almost black. These bananas are significantly sweeter and have a more potent flavour, which is precisely what this ripe banana brownie recipe needs. They also add a great deal of moisture, which is fundamental to that gooey result. If you enjoy classic banana bakes, you’ll recognise this principle from our traditional Banana Bread Recipe.

Don’t Over-Mix the Batter

We’ve already touched on this, but it’s so important that it’s worth repeating. As soon as the last traces of dry flour disappear, put the spatula down. Over-mixing is the primary reason brownies turn out tough and cakey. A gentle folding motion is all that’s required to bring the batter together perfectly.

Choose Your Chocolate Wisely

The quality of chocolate you use will have a huge impact on the final taste. A high-quality unsweetened cocoa powder will provide a deep, complex chocolate foundation. For the chocolate chips, using a good dark chocolate (with at least 70% cocoa solids) creates a wonderful bitterness that balances the sweetness of the banana. In addition, dark chocolate is not just tasty; according to the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, it contains beneficial flavanols. For a slight variation, you could also try the combination we feature in our Chocolate Chip Banana Bread Recipe.

FAQ

A Match Made in Dessert Heaven

And there you have it—a simple, reliable recipe for the most indulgent and delicious banana bread brownies you will ever make. By merging two cherished classics, we have created a dessert that truly excels on every level: it’s rich, fudgy, moist, and brimming with the comforting flavours of banana and chocolate.

This recipe is more than just a clever way to use up browning bananas; it’s your ticket to creating a moment of pure, gooey bliss. It’s a treat that feels special enough for an occasion but is simple enough to bake any day of the week.

So, what are you waiting for? The next time you spot those bananas looking a little past their best, don’t feel disheartened—get excited! You are only a few easy steps away from a warm tray of fudgy banana bread brownies. Grab a bowl, turn on your oven, and prepare to be utterly delighted. We would be thrilled to see your results, so please leave a comment below or tag us on social media to let us know how your bake turned out!

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Prep: 15 mins
Cook: 25-30 mins
Yield: 16 squares

Ingredients

• 150g unsalted butter, melted
• 200g light brown soft sugar
• 50g granulated sugar
• 2 large free-range eggs
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 250g very ripe bananas, mashed (about 2-3 large bananas)
• 140g plain flour
• 65g unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 180g dark chocolate chips or chunks, divided

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 180°C (160°C Fan / Gas Mark 4). Grease and line a 20cm (8-inch) square baking tin with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on two sides to act as a sling.
2. In a large bowl, whisk together the melted butter, light brown sugar, and granulated sugar until fully combined.
3. Add the eggs one at a time, whisking well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract, followed by the mashed bananas.
4. Sift the plain flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt over the wet ingredients. Using a spatula, gently fold until just combined. Do not over-mix.
5. Reserve a handful of chocolate chips for the topping, and fold the rest into the batter.
6. Pour the batter into the prepared tin and spread it into an even layer. Scatter the reserved chocolate chips over the top.
7. Bake for 25–30 minutes. The brownies are ready when a skewer inserted into the centre comes out with moist, fudgy crumbs clinging to it.
8. Let the brownies cool completely in the tin on a wire rack before using the parchment sling to lift them out. Cut into squares and serve.

Nutrition (per serving): Information not available.