Blondies Meet Banana Bread in This Rich, Chewy Dessert

Is a blondie simply a brownie sans chocolate? Actually, yes. Yes, it is. At its core, a blondie is a brownie without the cocoa; its more neutral, vanilla-forward base lays a perfect foundation for all kinds of mix-ins. It’s a dessert that invites experimentation: You’ll find blondies studded with toffee chips, layered with M&M’s, packed with walnuts or pecans, or swirled with peanut butter and Nutella. They’re easy to make, endlessly customizable, and universally beloved—much like their chocolatey counterpart.

This particular blondie recipe takes that adaptable base and merges it with another classic comfort: banana bread. Instead of relying on the cocoa that gives brownies their chocolatey bite, these blondies lean into roasted bananas for a naturally sweet, caramel-like flavor. The bananas not only perfume the batter with their unmistakable fruitiness but also create a moist, tender texture that keeps each square soft and chewy. A handful of warming spices—cinnamon, nutmeg, clove—reinforce that classic banana bread flavor, while chopped bittersweet chocolate adds depth to balance the sweetness.

This recipe, developed by my colleague Amanda Stanfield from our Birmingham, Alabama, test kitchen, leans on a few smart techniques to ensure each bite has a rich banana bread flavor and that signature chewy blondie texture.

Building the Banana Flavor

The first key step is roasting the bananas right in their peels. Instead of waiting for bananas to turn black and collapse on the counter, this method quickly mimics that depth of sweetness while also reducing excess moisture that could weigh the batter down. The high, dry heat of the oven draws out their natural sugars, concentrates their flavor, and makes them easier to mash into a smooth, even mixture. Roasting them with their peels on serves a functional purpose: The peel shields the fruit from direct heat, allowing the banana to soften and caramelize gently without scorching or drying out too much.

Key Techniques to Ensure The Blondie’s Chewy Texture

Another step that ensures the perfect blondie texture is to take the time to cream the butter and sugar for the batter properly. This aerates the mixture, helping to create a lighter, less dense structure. Bananas naturally add density to baked goods because of their moisture and starch content, but creaming the batter counteracts this, keeping the blondies plush instead of heavy.

Amanda also chose to omit baking powder, an ingredient sometimes found in blondies and brownies. Blondies are meant to be rich and fudgy, not tall and fluffy, and leaving out the leavener reins in the rise. The result is a denser crumb that stays true to the blondie’s chewy identity while letting the banana bread inspiration shine through in flavor rather than texture.

Banana Bread, Reimagined

What emerges from the oven is golden at the edges, fudgy in the middle, and fragrant with banana and spice. The chopped chocolate melts into pockets of richness, while a sprinkle of flaky salt on top sharpens each bite and keeps the sweetness in check. These blondies cut neatly into squares, but they’re best enjoyed slightly warm and messy, with the chocolate smudging onto your fingers. Serve them for an afternoon snack, or dress them up with a scoop of vanilla or butter pecan ice cream for dessert. Part banana bread, part blondie, they’re a hybrid that delivers the best of both worlds: comforting, chewy, and deeply satisfying.

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