These Banana Blondies are dense yet soft, moist, and full of sweet banana flavor. Topped with a creamy, caramely brown sugar frosting, they’re irresistible!
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Family favorite
Everyone loves their incredible banana and brown sugar flavor! They’re perfectly moist and dense, almost fudgy – just like a good blondie should be.
And they’re topped with a rich, creamy, caramely brown sugar frosting. Just a light layer-because these bars are rich!
Move over Banana Bread, there’s some real competition for those brown-speckled bananas!
I love my Chocolate Chip Banana Bread. It’s always been my go-to recipe for those super ripe, brown speckled bananas on the counter that no one wants to eat (but are perfect for baking).
But since I’ve been making these Banana Blondies, it’s had to share the spotlight. They’re that good!
If you love banana recipes, also try my homemade banana milk or my banana milkshake!
Perfect for potlucks, barbeques, and bake sales
These Banana Blondies are such a hit at potlucks, barbeques, and bake sales. They’re easy to make, easy to transport, and easy to serve.
This recipe uses an 8-inch by 8-inch baking pan, yielding 16 2-inch by 2-inch bars. The recipe can easily be doubled to fit a 9 by 13-inch pan. Just add a few minutes to the baking time.
Use very ripe, heavily speckled bananas
Heavily speckled or even mostly brown bananas make the most moist and flavorful Banana Blondies. As bananas ripen their starch turns to sugar, becoming sweeter and more flavorful.
Smash them with a fork for the best texture and flavor.
How to make Banana Blondies
Banana Blondies are super easy to make by hand in just one bowl, plus a small pan for the frosting. No mixer required.
All of the ingredients except the flour are whisked together thoroughly in a mixing bowl, then the flour is gently stirred in until just combined. Transfer batter to baking pan and bake.
How to bake
Bake until center is set and the edges are golden. A toothpick inserted into the center should come out clean or with a crumb or two, but not raw batter. About 20 minutes.
How to make the Brown Sugar Frosting
In a medium saucepan melt butter. Add brown sugar and milk and stir until mixture comes to just a boil. Remove from heat, allow to cool for 5 minutes, then whisk in powdered sugar until smooth.
Spread on top of cooled blondies. Allow frosting to set before cutting into squares.
How to cut and serve
There are two different ways that I cut and serve Banana Blondies, depending on the occasion.
The easiest way is to cut the blondies into squares and serve right from the pan. This is also easiest for transporting and serving to a crowd. In this case, I would just spray the baking pan with nonstick baking spray.
Other times, I want perfectly cut bars. I bake the blondies in a removable-bottom springform pan for easy removal and cutting into squares. If you don’t have a removable bottom, line the pan with a piece of aluminum foil with overhanging edges to make it easy to lift the cake out of the pan before cutting into squares.
How to store and freeze
Banana Blondies will keep for 3 days at room temperature in a closed container or with plastic wrap tightly covering the top of the pan.
They can also be frozen whole in the pan or in individually wrapped squares. Thaw at room temperature. For individual squares, heat in the microwave until the blondie is lightly warmed, but the frosting is not melted.
Recipe
Banana Blondies
Ingredients
For the Blondies:
- ½ cup butter melted (4oz, 113g)
- ¾ cups light brown sugar (5.6oz, 159g)
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup all-purpose flour (5oz, 142g)
- ½ cup mashed banana 1 medium banana
For the Brown Sugar Frosting:
- 4 tablespoons butter (2oz, 57g)
- ½ cup light brown sugar (3.25oz, 92g)
- 2 tablespoons milk (1oz, 28g)
- 1 cup confectioners' icing sugar ((4oz, 113g))
Instructions
For the Banana Blondies:
- Preheat oven to 350°. Spray an 8 by 8-inch baking pan with nonstick baking spray. (See Note)
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk melted butter and sugar until combined.
- Add mashed banana, eggs, vanilla, and salt and whisk until incorporated.
- Gently stir in flour until just combined.
- Spread evenly in prepared pan.
- Bake until center is set and the edges are golden. A toothpick inserted into the center should come out clean or with a crumb or two, but not raw batter. About 20 minutes.
- Cool before frosting.
For the Brown Sugar Frosting:
- In a medium saucepan melt butter. Add brown sugar and milk and stir until mixture comes to just a boil. Remove from heat, allow to cool for 5 minutes.
- Whisk in confectioners' sugar until smooth.
- Spread on top of blondies. Allow frosting to set before cutting into squares.
- Makes 16 2-inch by 2-inch squares.
Notes
- There are two different ways that I cut and serve Banana Blondies, depending on the occasion.
- The easiest way is to cut the blondies into squares and serve right from the pan. This is also easiest for transporting and serving to a crowd. In this case, I would just spray the baking pan with nonstick baking spray.
- Other times, I want perfectly cut bars. I bake the blondies in a removable-bottom springform pan for easy removal and cutting into squares. If you don’t have a removable bottom, line the pan with a piece of aluminum foil with overhanging edges to make it easy to lift the cake out of the pan before cutting into squares.
- Recipe is easily doubled and baked in a 9-inch by 13-inch baking pan. Just increase the baking time by about 5-10 minutes.
Nutrition
Enjoy, friends!
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Kristy
Thanks for the wonderful easy recipe. They did not last long in my house. I suggest if you double the recipe to NOT double the frosting. It was too thick. My gang asked for another batch the next day!
Kelly
Thanks so much, Kristy! So happy you liked them!
Easyfoodsmith
They look irresistible and you made me crave them so bad 😀
Kelly
They're so melt-in-your-mouth delicious! Thanks so much, Taruna!
Nehal Preet
Those blondies looking soooo freaking amazing. I always love meeting new foodies from around the world! Thanks for sharing this amazing recipe with all of us. Much Love and Regards.
Kelly
They're irresistible! Thanks so much, Nehal!
Priya
Totally love this blondies kelly.
Kelly
They're so dreamy, Priya! Thanks so much!
John / Kitchen Riffs
Love that frosting! And the blondies themselves look really good, too. Neat recipe -- thanks.
Kelly
They're so irresistible! Thanks so much, John!
marcie
I would choose these over banana bread every day! I love the flavor that brown sugar imparts, and that frosting is the perfect way to top these bars off. These look amazing Kelly!
Kelly
They sure give banana bread a run for it's money! Thanks so much, Marcie!
Judee
I bought 5 pounds of overly speckled bananas today for a dollar! I was wondering what to do with them . The chocolate chip banana bread looks perfect.
Kelly
Oh, Judee, that's awesome! I'm always waiting and waiting for my bananas to brown. I usually hide some so they don't all get eaten before they're ready! 🙂 I could really go to town with 5 pounds of ripe bananas! Thanks so much!
annie@ciaochowbambina
The picture of the loaf pre-cut is outstanding! Your photos are making my hungry! Not to mention the flavors!! Pinned!
Kelly
I love this frosting! And the bars just melt in your mouth - so perfect together! Thanks so much, Annie!
Laura
I love that frosting so much, I could eat it by the spoon! It’s my total favorite. We call it “penuche” frosting. Anyway, these blondies look phenomenal! Pinning!
Kelly
Oh yes, that name is familiar! It goes perfectly with banana! Thanks so much, Laura!
David @ Spiced
What a fun idea, Kelly! I love the sound of these blondies. They're kinda like the perfect combination between summer (banana bread) and fall (brown sugar frosting). I know I would gladly find a way to make several of these disappear! 🙂
Kelly
Taking teeny, tiny baby steps into fall, David! It's actually my favorite season, but I hate the end of summertime fun and produce. Or I just don't like change 🙂 Thanks so much!
Katherine | Love In My Oven
That brown sugar frosting!!! I think I"m in love, Kelly. Your photos are gorgeous! Another banana recipe, for the win!
Kelly
It's wonderful! And so perfect with the banana! Thanks so much, Katherine!
Leanne
I love any kind of banana dessert, and that brown sugar frosting looks fantastic. I really love that up close photo of the frosting swoops and swirls!
Kelly
I just want to dive into the frosting in that photo! Thanks so much, Leanne!
nicole (thespicetrain.com)
Irresistible indeed! The banana blondies by themselves sound incredible already but with a brown sugar frosting? OMG, my mouth is watering. Thank you for sharing, Kelly! 🙂
Kelly
With the brown sugar frosting, they practically melt in your mouth! Thanks so much, Nicole!