Make Brown Butter Banana Bread Bars for a Nutty Twist on This Sweet and Fruity Dessert Favorite

It’s hard to imagine ever getting tired of banana bread. It’s got the perfect spongy texture, the right amount of sweetness and is a great way to use up that extra ripe fruit. Though if you’re looking for a new twist on the baked treat, it’s worth trying a viral recipe for brown butter banana bread bars. (Yes, it’s a mouthful but it’s delicious!) This recipe bakes the batter on a sheet tray so the cake is thin and can be sliced into even squares. A topping of brown butter frosting gives each bar added sweetness and a nutty kick. Make a batch for your next potluck or when your sweet tooth needs a yummy treat!

What are brown butter banana bars?

These bars start with a batter consisting of mashed ripe bananas, eggs, brown butter, flour, sugar and other baking staples. The mixture is spread onto a greased baking sheet and baked until it’s golden brown and puffed slightly. For the frosting, it’s made with the remaining brown butter, powdered sugar, vanilla extract and milk and then spread over the cooled cake. The cake is then sliced into bars and served.

Chef’s tip for nailing nutty brown butter

Brown butter takes this banana bread to the next level as it’s the byproduct of cooking butter until the milk solids are caramelized. It boasts a rich brown color and a nutty flavor that balances the sweetness of the bananas and sugar in the bars.

One of the most important tips shared by Liz Bomze, managing editor at Cook’s Illustrated, is keeping an eye on the pan and stirring frequently. This prevents the butter from burning and allows those caramelized bits at the bottom to be incorporated throughout. So, don’t walk away once the butter hits the pan.

Try this brown banana bread bars recipe

Blogger and TikTok creator Jenna Barnard (@butternutbakery) has the ultimate recipe for these banana bread bars, originally posted on her website. Any leftover bars can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for two days. But, don’t be surprised if they’re all gone before then!

Brown Butter Frosted Banana Bread Bars

@butternutbakery

Brown butter frosted banana bread bars !!

♬ original sound – Jenna | Butternut Bakery

Ingredients: 

• ½ cup unsalted butter
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• ½ cup light brown sugar, packed
• 2 large eggs
• 1 cup sour cream
• 1½ cups ripe mashed banana (about 4 bananas)
• 1 tsp. vanilla extract
• 1 tsp. baking soda
• ½ tsp. kosher salt
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• Nonstick spray, for greasing

Brown butter frosting;

• ¾ cup unsalted butter + 2 Tbs. (chilled)
• 3 cups powdered sugar
• 1 tsp. vanilla extract
• ¼ cup milk, room temperature

Directions:

• Total time: 1 hr., 15 mins
• Yield: 24 bars

For the banana bread bars:

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F. Grease jelly roll pan (approximately 11-by-15 inches) with a coating of nonstick spray.
2. Combine quantities of butter for the bars and frosting (minus the additional 2 Tbs.) to equal 1¼ cup of butter. Add to saucepan over medium heat.
3. Begin browning process: the butter will go from melted, to loud and bubbly, to quiet and foamy. Keep stirring until it turns a light amber color.
4. Once browned, remove from heat and measure out ½ cup in a measuring cup. Pour the remaining brown butter into a mixing bowl and stir in the 2 Tbs. of reserved regular butter until it melts. Place this bowl in the fridge to solidify for the frosting.
5. With the ½ cup of brown butter in measuring cup, pour into separate clean bowl. Whisk in sugar and brown sugar.
6. Add eggs, followed by sour cream, banana, and vanilla to mixture. Then, whisk in baking soda and salt, followed by flour. Pour batter into greased pan and spread in an even layer.
7. Bake 25 to 30 minutes. Remove from oven and cool while making the frosting.

For the brown butter frosting:

1. By now, refrigerated bowl of brown butter should be solid but still soft.
2. Using hand or stand mixer with the whisk attachment, gradually add powdered sugar to butter one cup at a time. Once all of the powdered sugar is mixed in, add vanilla and milk. Combine until mixture forms a thick frosting.
3. Spread frosting over slightly warm cake and allow them to sit at room temperature about 30 minutes. Slice into 24 even bars/squares and enjoy!