Ultimate Brown Butter Banana Blondies with Irresistible Cream Cheese Frosting
Prepare yourself for an extraordinary treat! These banana and white chocolate blondies are truly incredible. But when you elevate them further by topping these decadent banana blondies with a rich, nutty brown butter frosting, they transform into an absolute obsession. If you’re a fan of rich, chewy, and deeply flavorful baked goods, get ready to meet your new favorite dessert. This recipe takes the comforting essence of banana bread and combines it with the irresistible texture of a blondie, then adds a layer of sophisticated flavor that will leave you craving more.
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If you’re already captivated by the thought of these delightful banana bread blondies, you absolutely must explore some of my other popular banana-infused creations. Don’t miss my Dairy Free Banana Bread for a lighter option, or elevate your breakfast with my indulgent Banana Bread French Toast. For a creamy, dreamy experience, try my Banana Pudding Cheesecake Squares. And, of course, a slice of my Banana Cake with Brown Butter Cream Cheese Frosting offers another incredible way to enjoy the rich combination of banana and brown butter.
Introducing Brown Butter Banana Blondies with Cream Cheese Icing
Today’s star is none other than BROWN BUTTER BANANA BLONDIES! Is it just me, or does that sound like the most heavenly combination of words in the culinary lexicon? But wait, there’s more! Not only are these banana blondies rich with the distinctive taste of brown butter, but they’re also crowned with a luscious cream cheese icing, crafted with — you guessed it — even more brown butter! This recipe doubles down on that irresistible nutty, caramelized flavor, making every bite a truly unforgettable experience.
My profound appreciation for brown butter is a consistent theme on this blog. It’s a game-changer in baking, adding a depth of flavor that ordinary butter simply can’t match. What you might not realize, however, is that brown butter and banana together create what might just be the most divine flavor pairing of all time. I first stumbled upon this magical duo with my banana cake recipe, and since then, I’ve been utterly captivated. The way the sweet, fruity notes of banana harmonize with the toasty, caramel undertones of brown butter is pure culinary genius.
For more delightful treats featuring the incomparable taste of brown butter, be sure to check out my Brown Butter Pumpkin Donuts – another testament to this incredible ingredient!
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Blondies vs. Brownies: A Delicious Distinction
Many people wonder, “What exactly is the difference between a brownie and a blondie?” While both are delightful bar cookies with a rich, chewy texture, their fundamental flavor profiles set them apart. Recipes for blondies are essentially the “vanilla” cousin to the “chocolate” brownie. Instead of a cocoa-based foundation, blondies build their flavor around vanilla, brown sugar, and butter, creating a distinctively caramel-like taste. This versatile base allows for a wide array of delicious additions, from white chocolate chips and butterscotch to pecans, caramel swirls, or even other chocolate varieties. The beauty of blondie recipes lies in their adaptability – they can beautifully showcase the flavors of many favorite desserts while maintaining that beloved fudgy, chewy texture that makes brownies so popular.
Perhaps you haven’t yet become a dedicated fan of blonde brownie (blondie) recipes. Or maybe, like many, you have a strong preference for classic chocolate brownies (and I completely understand – my Biscoff Brownies are, admittedly, pretty spectacular!). You might have even tried my raspberry white chocolate blondies and still weren’t fully converted. Well, if you haven’t yet joined the ranks of the #blondiebelievers, this particular recipe is designed to change your mind. These fudgy, chewy, buttery banana blondies, especially with the addition of nutty brown butter, are guaranteed to do the trick and make you a true blondie enthusiast!
Key Ingredients for Your Banana and White Chocolate Blondies
Crafting these delectable brown butter banana blondies is surprisingly straightforward! You won’t even need a stand mixer or a handheld mixer. This entire recipe can be whipped up with just a whisk and a few simple steps. Let’s dive into the essential ingredients that come together to create these perfectly sweet and savory treats:
- Baking Spray: I highly recommend using a baking spray that contains flour, such as Pam for Baking, to ensure your blondies release cleanly from the pan. This simple step makes a big difference in presentation and ease of serving.
- Brown Butter: This is the star ingredient that adds unparalleled depth and a nutty, caramelized flavor to both the blondies and the frosting. You’ll prepare a batch of brown butter at once, dividing it for each component. If you’re new to this technique, don’t worry! For detailed, step-by-step instructions on how to brown butter perfectly, be sure to check out this dedicated post.
- White Chocolate Chips: These contribute to the incredible fudgy, chewy texture of the blondies and provide a delightful creamy sweetness. You can also use chopped white baking chocolate for a more rustic look and intense flavor pockets.
- Egg: Crucial for structure and richness. Make sure your egg is at room temperature before you start – this helps it emulsify better with other ingredients for a smoother batter. See our quick tip below for achieving this swiftly!
- Brown Sugar: This provides a deep, molasses-rich sweetness and contributes to the signature chewy texture of blondies. Its caramel notes are a perfect complement to the banana and brown butter.
- Pure Vanilla Extract: A high-quality pure vanilla extract is essential here to enhance all the other flavors. For an even more rewarding experience, consider making your own! Check out my post on how to make vanilla extract at home with just two simple ingredients.
- Overripe Banana: The riper, the better! We’re talking about a banana with plenty of brown spots, which will be sweeter and easier to mash, imparting a wonderful natural sweetness and moisture to the blondies. About one medium banana should be perfect.
- All-Purpose Flour: The foundational dry ingredient. For accurate baking results, it’s always best to use a kitchen scale to measure by weight. Alternatively, use the spoon-and-level method to measure by volume, ensuring you don’t compact the flour.
- Ground Cinnamon: Just a touch of ground cinnamon beautifully enhances the natural sweetness of the banana and adds a warm, inviting spice to these blondies. It’s a subtle but important flavor note.
- ¼ Teaspoon Salt: Essential for balancing the sweetness and bringing out the full depth of all the flavors.
Ingredients for the Dreamy Brown Butter Cream Cheese Frosting
- Brown Butter: The reserved portion from your initial browning process. This infuses the frosting with its signature nutty, caramel notes.
- Cream Cheese: Softened to room temperature, it provides the tangy, creamy base for a classic cream cheese frosting.
- Powdered Sugar: Also known as confectioners’ sugar, it gives the frosting its smooth texture and sweetness.
- Vanilla Extract: A splash of vanilla enhances the overall flavor profile of the frosting.
- Cinnamon: (Optional) A pinch of cinnamon in the frosting can further tie together the flavors with the blondies, adding an extra layer of warmth.
Effortless Steps to Making Your Delicious Banana Bread Blondies
The most unique and arguably “complicated” part of this banana blondies recipe is browning the butter. However, don’t let that intimidate you! It’s actually a very straightforward and rewarding process that adds immense depth to your baked goods. For a detailed guide with step-by-step instructions on achieving perfectly browned butter, please refer to this dedicated post. Mastering this technique will truly elevate your baking, especially in recipes like these amazing banana blondies!
Once you have your fragrant brown butter ready, the rest of the blondie preparation is incredibly simple and comes together quickly. All you need to do is:
- Melt Your White Chocolate: Gently melt your white chocolate into the warm brown butter. This creates a rich, smooth base for your blondies, ensuring maximum flavor and fudginess.
- Combine Wet Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together your room temperature egg, packed brown sugar, pure vanilla extract, a hint of cinnamon, and salt until the mixture is smooth and well combined. The brown sugar adds incredible moisture and chewiness.
- Integrate Flavors: Carefully add the cooled brown butter and white chocolate mixture to your egg mixture, whisking until fully incorporated. Then, stir in your mashed overripe banana. This is where the magic truly begins as all the signature flavors come together.
- Fold in Dry Ingredients: Finally, gently fold in your all-purpose flour until just combined. Be careful not to overmix, as this can lead to tough blondies. Once the batter is ready, spread it evenly into your prepared baking pan.
- Bake to Golden Perfection: Bake until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with moist crumbs, indicating they are perfectly done. Allow them to cool slightly before moving on to the best part: the frosting!
And now, for arguably the most exciting part – the frosting! For these delightful brown butter banana blondies, we’re using the same incredible brown butter cream cheese frosting that beautifully complements my stout gingerbread cookies. This frosting is remarkably easy to whip up while your blondies are cooling. Simply ensure your cream cheese is softened to room temperature (a quick microwave burst can help!) and your reserved brown butter is also at room temperature for the smoothest, creamiest frosting imaginable.
Once your blondies are completely cool, spread this heavenly frosting generously over the top, slice them into bars, and get ready to indulge! I truly hope you fall in love with this brown butter banana blondies recipe. Are you a #blondiebeliever yet? Let me know in the comments below how your batch turned out, and don’t forget to tag me on Instagram with #cheneetoday. I can’t wait to see your delicious creations!
Expert Tips & Frequently Asked Questions for Perfect Blondies
To ensure your banana blondies turn out absolutely perfect every time, here are some helpful tips and answers to common questions:
Getting ingredients to room temperature is crucial for a smooth batter and creamy frosting. For eggs, simply place them in a bowl of slightly warm (not hot!) water for about 10-15 minutes. They should no longer feel cold to the touch. To quickly soften cream cheese, unwrap it from its foil and microwave it for 15-20 seconds. Be careful not to melt it, just soften!
This simple step makes a huge difference! To easily remove your blondies, line your 9×9 inch baking pan with parchment paper, allowing an overhang on two opposite sides. This “sling” acts as handles, making it effortless to lift the entire cooled slab of blondies out of the pan. This technique is invaluable for easy frosting, neat slicing, and hassle-free serving.
Browning butter is a fantastic technique that adds a deep, nutty, and slightly caramel flavor. For a more detailed walkthrough and step-by-step visuals, check out my comprehensive brown butter appreciation post. In a nutshell: cut a stick and a half of salted butter into cubes or slices. Heat it over medium heat in a light-colored pan (this helps you see the color change). Stir frequently as the butter melts and begins to foam. Keep a close eye on it! Once the milk solids at the bottom of the pan turn golden brown and smell nutty, it’s ready. Immediately pour it into a heatproof container to stop the cooking process and prevent burning. For this recipe, you’ll then reserve ¼ cup of this glorious brown butter to cool for the frosting later, ensuring that both your blondies and your frosting are infused with this incredible flavor.
It’s not about one being “better” than the other, but rather different and equally delicious! If you often find yourself saying you’re “not a chocolate person,” or if your dessert preferences lean towards flavors like vanilla, butter pecan, or salted caramel ice cream, then blondies are definitely worth exploring. Their rich, buttery, and vanilla-caramel base offers a wonderful alternative to chocolate. And, if you’re a devoted fan of banana bread, these particular banana blondies are specifically tailored to capture that comforting flavor in a chewy, bar-style format – you will absolutely adore them!
To maintain their freshness and fudgy texture, store these frosted banana blondies in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. For longer storage, they freeze exceptionally well! Wrap individual blondie bars tightly in plastic wrap, then place them in a freezer-safe bag or container for up to two months. Thaw them in the refrigerator or at room temperature before enjoying.
Absolutely! While these banana and white chocolate blondies are perfect as is, they are also incredibly versatile. Feel free to experiment with additions like chopped walnuts or pecans for extra crunch, a swirl of dulce de leche or caramel before baking for added richness, or even a sprinkle of toasted coconut flakes for a tropical twist. Just remember not to overload the batter to ensure even baking.
More Irresistible Blondies Recipes to Explore
If you’ve fallen in love with the chewy, rich goodness of blondies, then you’re in for a treat! There’s a whole world of blondie variations waiting to be discovered. Here are some more of my favorite blondie recipes that I’m sure you’ll adore:
- Biscoff Blondies with White Chocolate: A delightful blend of cookie butter and creamy white chocolate.
- Raspberry and White Chocolate Blondies: A vibrant, fruity twist with the classic sweetness of white chocolate.
- Pumpkin Blondies with Apple Cider Glaze: Perfect for fall, offering warm spices and a tangy glaze.
- Gluten-Free Blondies with White Chocolate Chunks: A delicious option that doesn’t compromise on flavor or texture.
📖 Recipe
Banana Blondies with Brown Butter
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Equipment you may need
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9×9 baking pan
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parchment paper
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rubber spatula
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whisk
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hand mixer
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stand mixer
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offset spatula
Ingredients
- baking spray – (the kind with flour)
- ¾ cup (170 g) brown butter – (divided)
- ½ cup (90 g) white chocolate chips
- 1 large egg
- 1 cup (220 g) light brown sugar – (packed )
- 1 teaspoon (5 ml) pure vanilla extract
- ½ cup (75 g) mashed overripe banana – (about 1 medium banana)
- 1 cup (125 g) all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon (2 g) ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon (2 g) salt
Brown Butter Cream Cheese Frosting
- ¼ cup (57 g) brown butter – (from above, reserved and cooled)
- 4 oz (113 g) cream cheese – (softened to room temperature)
- 1 cup (120 g) powdered sugar
- ½ teaspoon (2 ml) pure vanilla extract
- ¼ teaspoon (1 g) ground cinnamon – (optional)
Instructions
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Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×9 inch baking pan with baking spray and line with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on two sides to easily remove the blondies.baking spray
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Brown ¾ cup (1½ sticks) butter (see note below for detailed instructions). Once browned, immediately pour ¼ cup of the browned butter into a separate small, heatproof container and place it in the refrigerator to cool for the frosting.¾ cup brown butter
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Add the white chocolate chips to the remaining ½ cup of warm browned butter in the pan and stir until the white chocolate is completely melted and the mixture is smooth. If needed, you can heat it briefly in the microwave for 15-30 seconds to fully melt. Set aside to cool slightly.½ cup white chocolate chips
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In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together the large egg, light brown sugar, pure vanilla extract, ground cinnamon, and salt until the mixture is smooth and well combined. Stir thoroughly after each addition to ensure everything is incorporated.1 large egg, 1 cup light brown sugar, 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract, 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon, ¼ teaspoon salt
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Once the brown butter and white chocolate mixture has cooled slightly (it should not be hot, just warm), whisk it into the egg and sugar mixture. Then, stir in the mashed overripe banana until well combined.¾ cup brown butter, ½ cup mashed overripe banana
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Add the all-purpose flour to the wet ingredients and fold it in gently with a spatula until just combined. Be careful not to overmix the batter. Spread the batter evenly into your prepared 9×9 inch baking pan and smooth the top.1 cup all-purpose flour
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Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the pan comes out clean or with just a few moist crumbs attached. Avoid overbaking to keep them fudgy. Allow the blondies to cool in the pan for at least 10 minutes before using the parchment paper overhang to lift them out and cool completely on a wire rack.
Brown Butter Cream Cheese Frosting
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Ensure the reserved ¼ cup of brown butter has cooled and come to room temperature. This is important for a smooth frosting.¼ cup brown butter
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Using a hand mixer (or stand mixer), beat the room temperature brown butter with the softened cream cheese until the mixture is light, creamy, and smooth, with no lumps of cream cheese remaining. Mix in the cinnamon (if using) and vanilla extract.4 oz cream cheese, ½ teaspoon pure vanilla extract, ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
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Gradually beat in the powdered sugar, one cup at a time, until it is fully incorporated and the frosting is smooth and creamy. For an extra fluffy frosting, continue beating for another 2-3 minutes until it reaches your desired consistency.1 cup powdered sugar
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Once the blondies are completely cool, spread the luscious brown butter cream cheese frosting evenly over the top. Slice into bars and serve immediately. Enjoy your homemade delight!
Notes
Storing: The blondies can be stored in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to 5 days, or in the freezer for up to two months.
Using overripe bananas: For the best flavor and moisture, always use very ripe bananas (those with plenty of brown spots on the peel). As bananas ripen, their starches convert to sugar, making them sweeter and more fragrant.
Don’t overmix: Overmixing the batter after adding the flour can develop the gluten too much, resulting in tougher blondies. Mix until just combined.
Nutrition
Nutrition Disclaimer
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