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Soft Banana Bread Brownies with cream cheese frosting make the best afternoon treat or potluck dessert. 🍰

Single banana brownie square with cream cheese frosting on a white plate

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⭐ Why You’ll Love This Recipe

  • Soft and moist texture thanks to ripe bananas
  • Creamy frosting that perfectly complements the tender bars
  • Easy to make with simple pantry staples
  • A great way to use up overripe bananas
  • Perfect for potlucks, bake sales, or an after-school treat
  • A delicious way to enjoy banana brownies with classic comfort flavor

🛒 Ingredients & Substitutions

  • oil – vegetable oil, canola oil, or melted coconut oil
  • brown sugar – light or dark brown sugar, dark adds deeper flavor
  • egg – no substitution recommended
  • vanilla extract – no substitution recommended
  • ripe bananas – use very ripe bananas with brown spots for the best flavor
  • all-purpose flour – no substitution recommended
  • baking soda – no substitution recommended
  • baking powder – no substitution recommended
  • salt – no substitution recommended
  • ground cinnamon – no substitution recommended
  • cream cheese – full-fat recommended for best texture
  • salted butter – substitute unsalted butter and add ¼ teaspoon salt
  • powdered sugar – adjust amount to taste
  • vanilla extract (for frosting) – no substitution recommended

✨ Variations

  • Add chocolate chips for a richer twist on this banana brownies recipe
  • Stir in chopped walnuts or pecans for added crunch
  • Swap the cream cheese frosting for a simple vanilla glaze
  • Add a light sprinkle of cinnamon-sugar before baking for a sweet crust.
  • Mix in peanut butter chips for a fun take on bananas in brownies
White bowl filled with all-purpose flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, and ground cinnamon on a light textured surface
White bowl with dry ingredients whisked together on a light textured surface
Glass mixing bowl with melted oil and packed brown sugar
Glass bowl with mashed bananas, egg, brown sugar mixture, and oil before mixing
Glass bowl with wet ingredients topped with dry ingredient mixture before stirring
Glass bowl with fully mixed banana brownie batter
Square baking dish lined with parchment paper filled with banana brownie batter
Baked banana brownie layer in square pan lined with parchment paper
Glass bowl with softened cream cheese and butter
Glass bowl with cream cheese, butter, and powdered sugar before mixing
Glass bowl filled with smooth cream cheese frosting on a light textured surface
Square pan of banana brownies spread with cream cheese frosting
Frosted banana brownies cut into squares on a wooden cutting board with a cup of coffee and bananas nearby
Hand holding a square of banana brownie topped with cream cheese frosting
Close up side view of a banana brownie square with cream cheese frosting showing the crumb texture

🔥 Tips

  • Use very ripe bananas with plenty of brown spots for the best flavor
  • Measure your all-purpose flour correctly by spooning and leveling
  • Be careful not to overmix the batter.
  • Line the pan with parchment paper for easy lifting and slicing
  • First, let the brownies cool completely. This helps prevent the frosting from melting and sliding off.
  • Wipe your knife clean between slices for neat squares
  • Follow this recipe for banana bread brownies closely for the best texture

❓ FAQs

Can I make these without frosting?

Yes, the banana brownie recipe is delicious on its own. Or try sprinkling it with powdered sugar.

Can I freeze them?

Yes, you can freeze unfrosted brownies by wrapping them tightly. Add the frosting after the brownies have thawed.

Can I double the recipe?

Yes, double the ingredients and bake in a 9×13-inch pan; the baking time may increase slightly.

Can I add mix-ins?

Absolutely, chocolate chips, chopped nuts, or white chocolate chips work well.

How ripe should the bananas be?

They should be very soft with dark brown spots for the sweetest flavor and best moisture.

📝 Notes

  • Baking time may vary slightly depending on your oven
  • Start checking for doneness at the lower end of the baking range
  • For thicker frosting, add more powdered sugar a little at a time
  • Add a small splash of milk to thin the frosting

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🍽️ Other Recipes You May Enjoy

Frosted banana brownies cut into squares on a wooden board with a banana and coffee mug in the background
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Servings: 12 servings

Banana Bread Brownies

By Jamie Sherman
Use ripe bananas to make moist Banana Bread Brownies topped with creamy frosting. Easy dessert for any occasion.
Prep: 15 minutes
Cook: 33 minutes
Additional Time: 30 minutes
Total: 1 hour 18 minutes
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Equipment

Ingredients 

Brownies

  • ½ cup vegetable oil
  • 1 cup brown sugar, packed
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 2 ripe bananas, mashed (about 1 cup)
  • 1 cup all purpose flour
  • ½ teaspoon baking soda
  • ½ teaspoon baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon

Cream Cheese Frosting

  • 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
  • ¼ cup salted butter, softened
  • 1 to 1½ cups powdered sugar
  • ½ teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions 

  • Preheat oven to 350°F. Line an 8×8-inch baking pan with parchment paper.
  • In a large mixing bowl, whisk together oil and brown sugar until smooth.
    ½ cup vegetable oil, 1 cup brown sugar
  • Add egg, vanilla extract, and mashed bananas. Mix until fully combined.
    1 large egg, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, 2 ripe bananas
  • In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon.
    1 cup all purpose flour, ½ teaspoon baking soda, ½ teaspoon baking powder, ½ teaspoon salt, ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • Stir dry ingredients into wet ingredients just until combined. Do not overmix.
  • Spread batter evenly into prepared pan.
  • Bake 33-37 minutes, or until center is set and a toothpick inserted comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs.
  • Cool completely in the pan before frosting.
  • For frosting, beat cream cheese and butter until smooth.
    4 ounces cream cheese, ¼ cup salted butter
  • Mix in powdered sugar and vanilla until creamy. Start with 1 cup powdered sugar and add more as needed for desired sweetness and thickness.
    1 to 1½ cups powdered sugar, ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
  • Spread frosting evenly over cooled brownies. Slice and serve.

Notes

🥡 STORAGE

  • Store frosted brownies in an airtight container in the refrigerator up to 4 days.
  • Let the brownies sit at room temperature for 15 minutes before serving for the best texture.
  • Store unfrosted brownies at room temperature up to 2 days.

♨️ REHEATING

  • Microwave individual unfrosted brownies 10-15 seconds if desired.
  • Frosted brownies are best served at room temperature rather than reheated.

❄️ FREEZING

  • Freeze unfrosted brownies tightly wrapped up to 2 months.
  • Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and frost after thawing.

💡 TIPS FOR BEST RESULTS

  • Use very ripe bananas for maximum flavor and sweetness.
  • Do not overmix the batter to keep brownies soft and tender.
  • Line the pan well with parchment for easy lifting.
  • Cool completely before frosting to prevent melting.
  • Wipe the knife clean between cuts for neat slices.

🍳 ALTERNATE COOKING METHODS

  • No alternate cooking methods recommended for this recipe. Oven baking provides the best texture.

♻️ LEFTOVERS

  • Crumble leftover brownies over vanilla ice cream.
  • Cut into cubes and layer in parfaits with whipped cream.

📝 NOTES

  • Baking time may vary slightly depending on your oven.
  • Start checking at 33 minutes to avoid overbaking.
  • Frosting sweetness can be adjusted by increasing or decreasing the amount of powdered sugar.

Nutrition

Serving: 1bar, Calories: 338kcal, Carbohydrates: 46g, Protein: 2g, Fat: 17g, Saturated Fat: 6g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 6g, Monounsaturated Fat: 4g, Trans Fat: 0.2g, Cholesterol: 35mg, Sodium: 232mg, Potassium: 127mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 35g, Vitamin A: 281IU, Vitamin C: 2mg, Calcium: 41mg, Iron: 1mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

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Jamie

Jamie Sherman founded Love Bakes Good Cakes in February 2012. She is a self-taught home cook passionate about sharing easy, delicious, and family-friendly recipes. From comforting classics to irresistible desserts, I believe homemade food brings people together. Join me on my journey of creating and sharing meals that bring joy to every table!

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1 Comment

  1. Tammy says:

    I have bananas out waiting to get over ripe for baking……I am making this! Woohoo!!!

    Reply