My Favorite Banana Blondies recipe ~ think banana bread meets blondies, this easy dessert is rich, dense, and fudgy, with a to-die-for caramel frosting!
These Banana Blondies are as addictive as anything I’ve had in my life,
and I have to say it took me a little bit by surprise — they look so innocent! But the combination of the very dense banana cake and the very sweet caramel icing is intense. I tested the recipe on 2 consecutive days, and my self control failed miserably. I spent 48 hours in a banana blondie induced coma. Proceed with caution.
I ate these warm out of the oven…I ate them chilled from the fridge the next day…suffice it to say I’ve had them every which way and every way was amazing.
Self control issues aside, I’m so happy with this recipe, it’s reliable and easy to do. if you’re a banana lover, or just happen to know one, this is a must try. There is a ton of banana flavor packed into these slim bars, which also surprises me because I only used one banana. They are moist and dense, almost like a banana fudge, (if that thought doesn’t blow your mind.) They’re good.
If you’ve got one ripe banana, the rest of these easy bars come together from the pantry.
The frosting is a quick cooked caramel, but don’t let that scare you, that just means you melt some butter, brown sugar, and a touch of cream or milk together in a saucepan and heat it to a boil, then whisk in powdered sugar. It’s not fussy at all, but it does set up quickly, so plan to slather it on the cake right away. You can actually cut these and eat them warm, which is unusual for a frosted dessert.
Do yourself a favor….make these. 😉
Reader Rave ~
“I’ve baked many things over the years and I have to say these are some of the best. Really delicious.” ~ Shar
Banana Blondies
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup 1 stick unsalted butter, melted
- 1 cup packed brown sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1 cup all purpose flour
- 1/2 cup well mashed banana about 1 to 1 1/2 bananas
caramel icing
- 1/4 cup 1/2 stick unsalted butter
- 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
- 2 Tbsp cream or milk
- 1 cup powdered confectioner's sugar (possibly a little bit more)
Instructions
- Set the oven to 350F
- Beat the butter and sugar together for several minutes until smooth and fluffy. Beat in the egg and vanilla.
- Mix in the mashed banana, and then the flour and salt. Mix just until everything is well blended, don't over mix.
- Spread into an 9x9 square baking dish. I like to spray the dish with baking spray and also line it with parchment paper with long ends so I can lift it out to frost and cut it easily.
- Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, until the center is set. I check with a toothpick.
- Let the cake cool most of the way before you make the frosting.
- To make the caramel frosting put the butter, brown sugar and milk or cream in a small saucepan and melt the butter, whisking all the time. Continue whisking until the mixture comes to a boil, then turn off the heat and add the sifted powdered sugar, whisking until completely smooth. You may need to add a little bit more powdered sugar if it seems very thin.
- Spread it immediately onto the cake, it will set up very quickly.
- Enjoy!
Cook's notes
Don’t forget to pin my favorite banana blondies!
More evidence of my banana obsession…
Banana Cake with Spiced Vanilla Buttercream
Banana Walnut Bread with Nutmeg Glaze
Banana Poppy Seed Cake with Vanilla Bean Frosting
Copy Cat Trader Joe’s ‘Gone Bananas’
84 Comments
sandy ryan
July 20, 2021 at 1:56 pmI have frozen ripe bananas in my freezer can I thaw these and use them at the amount in the recipe? I guess I would have to drain the liquid? Thanks for a reply
Sue Moran
July 20, 2021 at 5:44 pmYes, I’d thaw and mash, you probably don’t have to drain them.
Tara
February 9, 2021 at 3:46 pmThese are AMAZING! I had overripe bananas that I needed to use up and stumbled upon this recipe – I’m so glad I did! The blondies have a great banana flavor and the frosting is sweet but not too sweet. Great, super easy way to use up some old bananas!
Sue Moran
February 16, 2021 at 4:09 pmThanks Tara, glad you enjoyed them!
Mindy
January 15, 2021 at 1:39 pmI made these today since I have over rip bananas. SOOO good! It took a lot of will power not to eat more than 1 square. I was worried the frosting would be too sweet, but it was perfect. May sprinkle toasted walnuts on next time.
Tangela
August 16, 2020 at 11:13 amCan I use dark brown sugar instead of light? And if so, should I modify the amount?
Sue
August 16, 2020 at 2:38 pmYes, I usually feel comfortable using either one. No difference in amount.
Rebecca
July 24, 2020 at 7:50 amI’ve made these twice now I love them. I’m terrible at making banana bread so these are an AMAZING alternative. This is now a forever recipe in our home.
Lisa
July 22, 2020 at 2:13 pmDoes anyone know if the icing would work if made using a dairy alternative milk, like almond milk, or coconut milk? Thank you!
Emma
August 4, 2020 at 5:26 pmI’d say that works! But just in case you can search for other recipes using nondairy milks and/or search what properties milk does for icing. Hope this helps!
Kara
August 30, 2020 at 3:07 pmI just used oat milk and it came out PERFECT!!!!!
Tara
February 9, 2021 at 3:43 pmJust made it with almond milk and it tasted no different from other times I’ve used dairy milk!
Yvonne Raine
July 1, 2020 at 6:27 amI made the banana blondies and my Granddaughter whos first baby is due in September thought they were delicious. They were easy to make & very moreish. Lovely recipe l will definitely make them again. ?
Sue
July 1, 2020 at 6:35 amThanks so much Yvonne <3
Kristin
June 16, 2020 at 12:42 pmThese are now a go-to in our house! We have made these several times already since recently discovering this recipe (we don’t make the icing, love them as is). I’ve actually started making them in mini muffin pans (sometimes adding chocolated chips) for bite-sized treats/snacks. My 2-year old LOVES them; toddler and adult approved!
Erika
June 4, 2020 at 11:40 amJust made these. Very tasty and super easy. Next time I may try adding some nuts to it!
Sue
June 4, 2020 at 11:58 amWalnuts!
Destani
June 3, 2020 at 11:38 amCan I use regular butter instead of unsalted? Will it come out the same?
Sue
June 3, 2020 at 12:42 pmYou can use regular butter, but be sure to omit any salt in the recipe.
Meghan
May 29, 2020 at 8:38 amThese are delicious! I wanted to use up my turned bananas, but was also wanting a change from banana bread. This recipe is a keeper in my book. Now, this wasn’t an issue for me, but it probably would be for some. The icing maked it pretty sweet. So, if you’re not a huge fan of really sweet, maybe you could use a cream cheese frosting or something. Thank you for a great recipe!
Ellyn Nguyen
May 25, 2020 at 3:33 pmI LOVE this recipe. My son told me it was his new “favorite flavor” ? I usually have a little trouble getting the top done and have to cook it a little longer, but that’s probably just my terrible oven. Other than that, I follow this recipe exactly and have awesome results.
Sue
May 25, 2020 at 3:58 pmYAY, so glad you both loved it Ellyn <3
Cathy
May 25, 2020 at 9:28 amWhy do you have to spray your dish if you are going to line it with parchment paper? Am I missing something?
Sue
May 25, 2020 at 10:31 amThat helps the paper stick and stay put, so when you spread the blondie batter into the pan, the paper doesn’t slide all around.
Marie
May 22, 2020 at 5:56 amThese are hands down the best! Do not waste your time on an 8×8. Double the recipe and use a 9×13…trust me. My hubby and daughter finished the whole pan in a day and a half! And two days later, I had to make them again for her birthday. They are amazing! I added walnuts the second time…served with a scoop of vanilla ice cream….pure heaven
Ellyn Nguyen
May 31, 2020 at 4:31 pmDid you add walnuts to the cake or the frosting?
Ricka
May 18, 2020 at 8:29 pmWe made these tonight – delicious! I used 2 very ripe, small bananas. I melted the butter before I saw that it said to “cream the butter and sugar” – turned out fine! I only had salted butter, so I halved the salt. I used an 11×7 inch pan. It is a little tricky to know when they are done because the batter is brown; the toothpick came out clean at 22 mins, but I could see that they were still gooey so I left them in for the full 25 mins. They were almost not quite cooked through once I sliced them. I’ll let them brown up a bit more next time. My frosting was much darker than yours, and very sweet. Delicious, but I might try add a dollop of cream cheese as others have suggested, or maybe a dash of salt. Also, I am at altitude and did not need to make any adjustments! Thanks for sharing this!
Gale Hayes
May 20, 2020 at 12:26 pmThese Banana Blondies were so delicious,I had extra black frozen bananas that needed used so I tryed this receipe at my friends house everyone loved then and they were so easy to whip up…its a favorite.
Ruby
May 9, 2020 at 5:55 pmOk this may be a “blondie” question (no pun intended lol) How do I cream butter and sugar if the recipe calls for it to be melted. Is the top section supposed to say melted?
Sue
June 3, 2020 at 12:49 pmI changed the wording to read ‘beat’ the butter and sugar. You start with melted butter.
Dawn Tracey
May 9, 2020 at 12:46 pmThank you for this Delicious recipe, turned them into two-bite banana blondies by using my mini muffin tin. Served them plain and they were delicious.
Made 36 two-bites (baked for about 15 minutes)
Sue
May 9, 2020 at 2:48 pmLove that idea!
Sullie
May 5, 2020 at 5:53 pmThese bars are fantastic! Went together quickly. Will definitely be a go to recipe,
Leslee
May 4, 2020 at 2:59 pmThese are absolutely amazing!
Ash
June 20, 2021 at 11:29 pmJust made these exactly to recipe, and very yummy, though I love the idea of adding walnuts on top next time.
Also, my husband cannot eat bananas – do you think this would work with apples or applesauce? The caramel topping would still be great, but I’m not sure of any recipe conversion needs.
Sue Moran
June 21, 2021 at 6:26 amYou might try apple butter, which is thicker and more like the texture of mashed bananas.
Kathie Legendre
May 1, 2020 at 12:56 pmThese were easy and absolutely delicious! One of the best! I will be making them again. Look out, it is hard not to eat them all!
Sue
May 1, 2020 at 1:40 pmYay ~ I’m so glad you loved them 🙂
Season
April 26, 2020 at 5:12 amI added 4oz. Of cream cheese to the icing. Yum!!!
Sue
April 26, 2020 at 8:19 amdouble yum!
Sullie
April 24, 2020 at 5:20 pmThese are excellent!!! The brownie is delicious! Next time I would cut back on the frosting, just personal taste for frosting.
Bobby
April 24, 2020 at 11:12 amJust made these, and they are AMAZING. We didn’t make the icing.
Megan
April 18, 2020 at 11:43 amSo quick, easy and delicious!
MollyJeanie
April 17, 2020 at 8:57 pmVery delicious! Sweet enough that i didn’t frost!
Nicole
April 16, 2020 at 1:43 amThese were so delicious!! Will make again and again for sure.
Kim
April 8, 2020 at 1:16 pmMine came out super thin and a little gooey. Good flavor, but I was expecting it to be more cake-like. Did I miss something, ie baking powder?
Sue
June 3, 2020 at 12:50 pmThey are thin, but shouldn’t be gooey, sounds like yours didn’t get baked long enough. That could be an oven temperature issue.
Rachel
April 2, 2020 at 10:39 pmI made this tonight and the family loved it even though I didn’t make it with the frosting. I didn’t have the ingredients for the frosting. The banana cake was delicious. Recipe is a keeper! Thanks for sharing!
Amy Gilliam
April 2, 2020 at 12:32 pmThese banana blondies are fabulous! My family loved them. My husband, who has quite a sweet tooth, said these are now his favorite dessert. Thank you for the delicious recipe!
Sue
April 2, 2020 at 1:39 pmI’m so glad Amy, it’s always nice when you find something everybody loves 🙂
Sandy
March 19, 2020 at 5:50 pmThat was delicious! I had some overripe bananas and was tired of banana bread!
Thank you for sharing recipe!
Melonie Gueller
March 18, 2020 at 12:49 pmLoved them! I added cinnamon and pecans to the bread! These tasted so good!
Joyce
September 5, 2019 at 12:08 amI made these yesterday and they are so good!
Sue
September 5, 2019 at 7:21 amThanks Joyce, I’m glad you liked them 🙂
GDH
November 5, 2017 at 7:53 amCan I double the recipe and make in a 9×13? Same consistency?
Sue
November 5, 2017 at 7:54 amI haven’t done it so I can’t be sure, but I think you should be able to do it.
Courtney
May 9, 2017 at 5:27 pmThese taste devine! I made them for a Luncheon tomorrow – should I keep them out at room temp or refrigerate overnight?
Sue
May 9, 2017 at 5:40 pmYou can do either, Courtney, I happen to love them refrigerated 🙂
Shar
January 27, 2017 at 5:37 pmI’ve baked many things over the years and I have to say these are some of the best. Really delicious.
Sue
January 27, 2017 at 9:07 pmThank you Shar <3
Nini
December 20, 2016 at 6:31 amHi, hope you are well.. Thank you to share with us your great recipes. I have to try this recipe so please can you give the quantities in grs.. Here in France we bake and cook in grs.
Catherine
July 21, 2015 at 7:50 pmDear Sue, these blondies look marvelous. Such a nice change from banana bread. xo, Catherine
Katen
July 19, 2015 at 8:03 pmOmg these look amazing
Christine Faber
July 14, 2015 at 1:09 pmDoes this recipe have no leavening?
Sue
April 12, 2020 at 6:03 pmNo, no leavening!
Joan Hayes
July 14, 2015 at 8:54 amOh my goodness, these look too good to be true! I seriously can’t wait to make these, and I will heed your warning about them being addictive (or at least I’ll try), but no guarantees. 😉 Who knows how long these are going to last!
Susan
July 11, 2015 at 5:42 pmThis would be so dangerous in my home! Love how wonderfully fudgey they look!
Helene
July 11, 2015 at 11:59 amAnd the caramel icing looks like fudge, thank you for the recipe!
Toni | BoulderLocavore
July 10, 2015 at 6:32 pmLove a good Blondie and how clever to add bananas. Never would have thought to add them but now that you have they sound divine!
Liz @ Floating Kitchen
July 10, 2015 at 1:59 pmYou can certainly call me a banana lover! So I’m down with these blondies. They look awesome! Love that frosting too!
grace
July 10, 2015 at 7:30 ami want ALL the caramel icing! these look incredible, and not only because of that gloriousness on top. i might age some bananas for this very purpose. 🙂
Courtney @ NeighborFood
July 9, 2015 at 3:11 pmI also LOVE banana desserts and these are looking fabulous! Now I have a hankering for that pineapple banana bread too. Yowza!
Laura (Tutti Dolci)
July 9, 2015 at 1:53 pmI’m ready for that same coma ;). That caramel icing is everything!
Shari Kelley
July 9, 2015 at 1:35 pmOh my! These look wonderful! I would not be able to have any self control either. Not with that frosting on top of the bars. I love how moist the cake part is too. Pinning to make soon!
Rachel @ Simple Seasonal
July 9, 2015 at 1:28 pmYour Banana Blondies do look addictive! I’m the only banana-treat-lover in my home, so I’m thinking I could get away with keeping the entire batch to myself!
Tricia @ Saving room for dessert
July 9, 2015 at 11:06 amHow did you know that I have almost-rotten bananas at my house? It’s a sign – I need to make these this afternoon 🙂 They are beautiful Sue and love that cooked icing. I doubt my self-control will be any better – oh well!
[email protected]
July 9, 2015 at 10:48 amOh my goodness! I want these! Come on bananas…get ripe!
Sue
July 9, 2015 at 10:54 amDo they reeeeeaaalllly have to be ripe??
[email protected]'s+Recipes
July 9, 2015 at 10:05 amI am not surprised at all that these are addictive, Sue. I love its almost fudgy texture.
Sue
July 9, 2015 at 10:47 amThat was the addictive part, I think! That and the caramel frosting 😉
Jennifer @ Seasons and Suppers
July 9, 2015 at 9:52 amI have a weakness for banana baked goods, so I would have zero will power over these. I will definitely be trying this one 🙂
Sue
July 9, 2015 at 10:47 amWhat is it about banana? There’s no other fruit like it…
Chris Scheuer
July 9, 2015 at 9:02 amI probably wouldn’t eat any of these. But I’ll take one for my husband and one for my sister and one for my brother and one for my uncle….. oops! my nose is growing real long… Seriously, they look totally amazing – I can see my self going back for “one little sliver” over and over and over!
Sue
July 9, 2015 at 9:26 amThat ‘little sliver’ excuse gets me every time!