What do you get when you combine the rich, fudgy delight of brownies with the moist, comforting sweetness of classic banana bread? You get this truly spectacular Brownie Mix Banana Bread! This recipe transforms two beloved treats into one unforgettable experience, promising a chocolatey, tender, and incredibly easy-to-make loaf that you won’t be able to resist. Get ready to discover your new favorite way to use up those ripe bananas!

Craving more delightful banana-infused bakes? Explore these fantastic recipes: Chocolate Banana Muffins or these Banana Toffee Muffins!

Indulge in the Ultimate Treat: Brownie Mix Banana Bread Recipe

There’s nothing quite like the irresistible allure of chocolate, especially as the cooler months approach and the holiday baking season begins. It’s the perfect excuse to dive headfirst into all things rich, decadent, and utterly delicious. And if you’re like us, always on the lookout for a creative way to satisfy those chocolate cravings, then you’re in for a real treat with this Brownie Mix Banana Bread.

This recipe isn’t just another dessert; it’s a delightful fusion that takes the best of two classic comfort foods and marries them into something extraordinary. Imagine the deep, rich flavor and fudgy texture of your favorite brownie, perfectly complemented by the incredible moistness and subtle sweetness of a homemade banana bread. It’s truly the best of both worlds, simplified by a clever shortcut that makes baking a breeze.

Why You’ll Fall in Love with Brownie Mix Banana Bread

This isn’t just about combining two popular desserts; it’s about creating a harmonious balance of flavors and textures that will surprise and delight your taste buds. Here’s why this recipe is a must-try for any baking enthusiast:

• Effortless Elegance: By starting with a boxed brownie mix, we significantly cut down on prep time without sacrificing flavor or quality. It’s a genius hack for busy bakers or anyone who wants a spectacular dessert with minimal fuss.
• Unforgettable Texture: The real magic happens in the texture. You get that signature fudgy, dense chewiness from the brownie mix, but it’s infused with the tender, moist crumb that only ripe bananas can deliver. It’s not just chocolate banana bread; it’s a distinct, rich, and tender experience.
• Rich Chocolate Flavor: Whether you prefer dark chocolate, milk chocolate, or semi-sweet, the brownie mix provides a robust chocolate base that pairs beautifully with the natural sweetness of bananas. The addition of extra chocolate chips only intensifies this delightful flavor.
• Perfect for Any Occasion: This loaf is versatile enough for a decadent breakfast, a comforting afternoon snack, or an impressive dessert to share with guests. It’s always a crowd-pleaser!
• Great Way to Use Ripe Bananas: If your fruit bowl is overflowing with brown-spotted bananas, this recipe is your delicious solution. No more wasting perfectly good fruit!

This inspired creation hails from 50 Fixes for Brownie Mixes by Aimee Berrett of Like Mother, Like Daughter. Aimee takes the humble brownie mix and elevates it to new culinary heights, transforming it into everything from cookies and cinnamon rolls to pancakes. This book is a treasure trove of innovative ideas, and this Brownie Mix Banana Bread is just one example of the incredible potential hidden within a simple box of brownie mix. While initially tempted by the Brownie Batter Muddy Buddies, the allure of combining my love for traditional Banana Bread with a chocolate twist was too strong. Having a few perfectly ripe bananas on hand sealed its fate – it was meant to be made!

Essential Ingredients for Your Perfect Brownie Banana Bread

The beauty of this recipe lies in its simplicity and accessibility. You only need a handful of common ingredients to create this extraordinary loaf. However, a few key details will ensure your success:

• Mashed Banana: This is the heart of your banana bread’s moistness and flavor. Aim for about 1 cup of mashed bananas, which typically comes from 2 medium to large, very ripe bananas (the ones with plenty of brown spots!). While I’ve certainly made this recipe with slightly more banana and it still turns out beautifully, it often requires a longer baking time. Precise measurement ensures consistent results and proper baking.
• Oil: A neutral-flavored oil, such as vegetable oil, canola oil, or even melted coconut oil, works best here. Its role is to add moisture and tenderize the bread without overpowering the chocolate and banana flavors.
• Eggs: Large eggs, preferably at room temperature, are essential for binding the ingredients, adding structure, and contributing to the rich texture of the bread. Room temperature eggs emulsify better with other ingredients, leading to a smoother batter and a more uniform bake.
• Brownie Mix: The star of the show! You’ll want an 18-ounce brownie mix, typically labeled for a 13×9 inch pan. Most standard boxed brownie mixes (ranging from 18 to 18.4 ounces) will work perfectly. Avoid mixes that are specifically for “fudgy” or “cakey” without specifying the pan size, unless you’re confident in adjusting.
• Chocolate Chips: A fantastic addition for extra bursts of chocolate! I love using mini chocolate chips because they distribute more evenly throughout the loaf, ensuring chocolate in every bite. However, regular-sized chocolate chips, or even a mix of different chocolate types (milk, dark, white), would be delicious.
• All-Purpose Flour (for chips): This seemingly small step is crucial! Tossing the chocolate chips in a teaspoon of all-purpose flour before adding them to the batter prevents them from sinking to the bottom of your loaf during baking, ensuring they are evenly distributed throughout.

Mastering the Perfect Brownie Banana Bread Texture

Before diving into the full recipe, let’s talk about the incredible texture of this Brownie Mix Banana Bread. When I first envisioned this creation, I anticipated a delightful chocolate banana bread – and that would have been wonderful in its own right. But what emerged from the oven was something even more extraordinary: a harmonious blend, as if a rich, fudgy brownie and a supremely moist banana bread had a delicious offspring.

You’ll immediately recognize the characteristic fudgy density that we adore in brownies, a sign of rich chocolate and a tender crumb. This isn’t a light, airy bread; it’s substantial and satisfying. Simultaneously, you get the unmistakable moistness and tenderness that comes from perfectly ripe bananas. The bananas don’t just add flavor; they contribute to an incredibly soft and pliable texture that melts in your mouth. This dual texture—fudgy yet moist, dense yet tender—is truly what sets this Brownie Mix Banana Bread apart and makes it utterly irresistible. It’s a perfect culinary marriage, delivering a unique experience with every single bite.

Pro Baking Tips for Success

While this recipe is incredibly straightforward, a few expert tips can elevate your Brownie Mix Banana Bread from great to absolutely phenomenal:

• Don’t Overmix: When combining the wet ingredients with the brownie mix, stir until just combined. Overmixing can develop the gluten in the flour, leading to a tougher, chewier bread rather than a tender, moist one. A few lumps are perfectly fine!
• The Toothpick Test is Key: Baking times can vary based on oven calibration and the actual amount of banana used. Always rely on the toothpick test: insert a toothpick into the center of the loaf; it should come out clean or with a few moist crumbs attached (not wet batter). If it’s still gooey, continue baking in 5-10 minute increments.
• Cooling Patience: It’s tempting to slice into a warm loaf, but allowing the bread to cool completely on a wire rack allows it to set properly, preventing it from crumbling when sliced and enhancing its fudgy texture.
• Grease Your Pan Thoroughly: Even non-stick pans benefit from a good greasing and light flouring to ensure easy release of the delicate loaf.
• Ripe Bananas Only: The riper your bananas are (think brown spots, not green or yellow), the sweeter and more flavorful your banana bread will be. They also mash more easily and contribute more moisture.

Creative Variations to Make It Your Own

This recipe is fantastic as is, but don’t hesitate to personalize it! Here are a few ideas to spark your creativity:

• Nutty Additions: Fold in a half cup of chopped walnuts or pecans with the chocolate chips for added crunch and flavor.
• Different Chocolate: Experiment with white chocolate chips, milk chocolate chunks, or even a swirl of peanut butter chips.
• Spice It Up: A pinch of cinnamon or a tiny dash of espresso powder can enhance the chocolate flavor beautifully.
• A Swirl of Cream Cheese: For an extra decadent twist, prepare a simple cream cheese swirl (4 oz softened cream cheese, 1/4 cup sugar, 1 egg yolk) and gently swirl it into the batter before baking.
• Glaze It: A simple powdered sugar glaze (powdered sugar mixed with a little milk or water) or a chocolate ganache drizzle can elevate this bread to a showstopper dessert.

Storing Your Brownie Mix Banana Bread

Proper storage ensures your delicious loaf stays fresh and moist for as long as possible:

• Room Temperature: Store cooled banana bread wrapped tightly in plastic wrap or in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3-4 days.
• Refrigerator: For longer storage, especially in warmer climates, you can refrigerate the bread for up to a week. Again, wrap it well to prevent it from drying out.
• Freezer: Brownie Mix Banana Bread freezes beautifully! Wrap individual slices or the entire loaf tightly in plastic wrap, then in foil. It can be frozen for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature or gently warm in the microwave.

Frequently Asked Questions About Brownie Mix Banana Bread

Can I use a different size brownie mix?

This recipe is calibrated for an 18-ounce brownie mix (for a 13×9 pan). If your mix is significantly smaller or larger, you may need to adjust the other ingredients (especially bananas and eggs) and the baking time. It’s best to stick to the recommended size for consistency.

My bananas aren’t very ripe. Can I still use them?

While very ripe, spotty bananas yield the best flavor and moisture, you can ripen bananas faster by baking them in their peels at 300°F (150°C) for 15-30 minutes until they turn black. Let them cool before mashing.

Can I make this into muffins?

Absolutely! Divide the batter into a greased muffin tin (filling about two-thirds full). Baking time will be significantly shorter, likely 20-25 minutes. Keep an eye on them and test for doneness with a toothpick.

How do I prevent the chocolate chips from sinking?

The key is tossing them with a teaspoon of all-purpose flour before folding them into the batter. This light coating helps them suspend in the batter during baking.

What if my bread is still gooey in the middle after an hour?

This is often due to variations in oven temperature or using slightly more mashed banana than recommended. Simply continue baking in 5-10 minute increments, testing with a toothpick until it comes out clean.

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Brownie Mix Banana Bread

4.84 from 12 votes

Author:
Deborah Harroun

Prep Time:
5 minutes

Cook Time:
1 hour

Total Time:
1 hour 5 minutes

Servings:
16 servings

Course:
Dessert

Cuisine:
American

Print Recipe
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What do you get when you combine brownies and banana bread? This delectable Brownie Mix Banana Bread! Rich and chocolatey with the moistness of banana bread, you won’t be able to stop at one slice!

Ingredients

• 1 cup mashed banana (about 2 bananas)
• 1/3 cup vegetable oil
• 3 large eggs
• 1 (18 oz) box brownie mix (for a 13×9 pan)
• 1 cup mini chocolate chips
• 1 teaspoon all-purpose flour

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350ºF (175°C). Grease a 9×5-inch loaf pan thoroughly.
2. In a large bowl, combine the mashed bananas, oil, and eggs. Add the brownie mix and stir until just combined. Be careful not to overmix.
3. In a small bowl, toss the chocolate chips with the all-purpose flour. Fold the flour-coated chocolate chips into the batter until evenly distributed.
4. Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan. Bake for 50-60 minutes, or until a tester (like a toothpick or thin knife) inserted in the center comes out clean or with moist crumbs attached*. Let the bread sit in the pan for 15 minutes, then run a sharp knife around the edges and invert to remove the bread onto a wire rack. Cool the bread completely on the cooling rack before slicing for best results.

Recipe Notes:

*When I first made this recipe, I used 2 large bananas without precisely measuring them. I believe I had slightly more than 1 cup of mashed bananas. The recipe still turned out very well and delicious, but it did take an additional 20 minutes to bake. Therefore, measuring your mashed bananas to ensure you have roughly 1 cup is recommended for optimal baking time. Always verify doneness with a toothpick.

This recipe is very slightly adapted from 50 FIXES FOR BROWNIE MIXES by Aimee Berrett.

Nutrition Information

Serving: 1 slice, Calories: 286kcal (14%), Carbohydrates: 38g (13%), Protein: 4g (8%), Fat: 14g (22%), Saturated Fat: 4g (25%), Polyunsaturated Fat: 8g, Trans Fat: 0g, Cholesterol: 35mg (12%), Sodium: 110mg (5%), Fiber: 0g, Sugar: 10g (11%)

Nutrition information provided as an estimate only. Various brands and products can change the counts. Any nutritional information should be used as a general guideline.

Keywords:
brownie mix banana bread, chocolate banana bread, easy banana bread, dessert, quick bread