Golden Ripe Banana Bliss Blondies: Your Go-To Easy Banana Blondies Recipe
Imagine a dessert that captures the essence of a warm, comforting hug, all in one deliciously chewy, deeply caramelized bite. If you’ve got a couple of spotty, ripe bananas looking for a purpose, look no further than this incredible easy banana blondies recipe. These Golden Ripe Banana Bliss Blondies are not just a simple treat; they’re a revelation, transforming humble overripe fruit into an irresistible, fudgy delight that will have everyone asking for more. Forget complicated baking; this is a one-bowl wonder designed for maximum flavor with minimal effort, making it perfect for any occasion, from a spontaneous weeknight treat to a crowd-pleasing potluck star.
Why You’ll Love These Golden Ripe Banana Bliss Blondies
What makes these blondies an instant classic? It starts with their absolutely divine texture. Think wonderfully chewy edges giving way to a moist, fudgy center that simply melts in your mouth. The ripe bananas don’t just add sweetness; they infuse every bite with a deep, comforting caramelization that’s both familiar and extraordinary.
Beyond the incredible flavor and texture, the sheer simplicity of this recipe is a major draw. It’s a true one-bowl wonder, meaning less cleanup and more time to enjoy your creation. In under an hour, you can go from ripe bananas on your counter to a perfectly baked pan of golden blondie bliss. If you’re a fan of other comforting banana-based desserts, you’ll find the same heartwarming appeal here, perhaps even more so with the blondie’s unique chewiness. For another delicious banana treat, consider trying a Southern Banana Cobbler Recipe.
Ingredients & Substitutions
The magic of these blondies lies in a few simple, accessible ingredients.
Unsalted Butter, melted: Provides richness and moisture. Melting it first helps create that signature fudgy texture and makes for easy mixing.
Packed Light Brown Sugar: This is crucial for the deep caramel notes and chewy texture. Don’t substitute with white sugar if you can avoid it, as it won’t yield the same depth of flavor or moisture.
Large Egg: Acts as a binder and contributes to the blondies’ structure and tenderness.
Vanilla Extract: A classic flavor enhancer that complements the banana beautifully.
All-Purpose Flour: The structural foundation. Measure it correctly – spooned into the cup and then leveled – to avoid dense blondies.
Baking Powder: Provides a little lift, ensuring the blondies aren’t too heavy.
Salt: Balances the sweetness and enhances all the other flavors.
Mashed Ripe Bananas: The star of the show! Aim for very ripe, spotty bananas; they offer the most intense banana flavor and natural sweetness. About two medium bananas should yield one cup of mash.
Optional: Chocolate Chips or Chopped Walnuts: Feel free to customize! Chocolate chips add a sweet counterpoint, while walnuts offer a delightful crunch and earthy note. You could also try pecans or even a swirl of nut butter for extra richness.
How to Make Golden Ripe Banana Bliss Blondies
Baking these blondies is wonderfully straightforward. Follow these steps for perfect results:
Prepare Your Pan and Preheat: Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line an 8×8 inch (20×20 cm) baking pan with parchment paper, allowing an overhang on two sides. This overhang will be your handle to easily lift the blondies out once cooled. Lightly grease the parchment paper.
Combine Wet Ingredients (Part 1): In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the melted butter and the packed light brown sugar until they are well combined and smooth. This step begins to build that lovely caramelized base.
Incorporate Egg and Vanilla: Add the large egg and vanilla extract to the butter and sugar mixture. Whisk thoroughly until everything is fully incorporated and the mixture takes on a lighter, creamy texture.
Fold in Bananas: Gently fold in your mashed ripe bananas. Mix just until they are combined; overmixing at this stage can start to develop the gluten too much.
Whisk Dry Ingredients: In a separate small bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt. This ensures they are evenly distributed throughout the batter.
Combine Wet and Dry: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients. Mix until just combined, being careful not to overmix. You want no visible streaks of flour, but stop as soon as it comes together. If you’re using chocolate chips or chopped walnuts, fold them in now.
Bake: Pour the batter evenly into your prepared baking pan. Use a spatula to spread it out, ensuring an even thickness for uniform baking.
Bake to Perfection: Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with moist crumbs, but not wet batter. The key to fudgy blondies is to avoid overbaking.
Cool and Serve: Let the blondies cool completely in the pan on a wire rack. This is crucial for them to set properly and achieve that perfect fudgy texture. Once cool, use the parchment paper overhang to lift them out, slice into squares, and serve.
Mastering Your Easy Banana Blondies Recipe: Tips for Perfection
Achieving the ultimate Golden Ripe Banana Bliss Blondies is all about a few key details:
The Ripeness Factor: The absolute most important tip for this easy banana blondies recipe is to use very ripe, spotty bananas. These bananas have developed their maximum sweetness and most intense banana flavor, which translates directly into a more delicious blondie.
Don’t Overmix: Once you add the flour, mix only until just combined. Overmixing develops gluten, which can lead to tough, dry blondies instead of the desired fudgy texture.
Watch the Oven: Blondies can go from perfectly fudgy to dry and cakey very quickly. Start checking around the 25-minute mark. A toothpick should come out with moist crumbs, not wet batter, but also not perfectly clean.
Optional Flavor Boost: For an even richer blondie, try swirling a tablespoon of your favorite nut butter (like peanut or almond butter) into the batter just before baking. This adds a delicious layer of complexity.
Cool Completely: Patience is a virtue! Allowing the blondies to cool fully in the pan is essential for them to set up properly and achieve their ideal fudgy, chewy consistency. Resist the urge to cut into them warm!
Serving Suggestions
These Golden Ripe Banana Bliss Blondies are utterly delicious on their own, but they also lend themselves beautifully to a variety of serving options:
Classic Simplicity: Enjoy them as they are, perhaps with a dusting of powdered sugar.
A la Mode: Serve warm blondies with a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream for an irresistible hot and cold contrast.
Caramel Drizzle: A light drizzle of warm caramel sauce or chocolate ganache takes these to an even more decadent level.
Whipped Cream Delight: A dollop of freshly whipped cream can add a lovely lightness and complement the richness of the blondie.
Fruit Pairing: Serve alongside fresh berries or sliced bananas for a fresh counterpoint.
Storage & Reheating
These blondies are fantastic for making ahead or enjoying over a few days.
Store cooled Golden Ripe Banana Bliss Blondies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. For longer storage, you can keep them in the refrigerator for up to a week. If refrigerating, you might want to bring them back to room temperature or warm them slightly in the microwave for a few seconds to restore their soft, fudgy texture.
FAQ
Q: Can I use frozen bananas for this easy banana blondies recipe?
A: Yes, absolutely! Thaw the frozen bananas completely and drain any excess liquid before mashing them. The texture might be a bit softer, but the flavor will still be excellent.
Q: What’s the main difference between a blondie and a brownie?
A: While both are baked bar cookies, the primary difference is the absence of cocoa powder in blondies. Brownies typically get their deep chocolate flavor and dark color from cocoa powder or melted chocolate, whereas blondies rely on brown sugar for their caramel notes and vanilla for their primary flavor. If you’re looking for a delightful mashup, you might enjoy a banana bread brownies recipe.
Q: Can I add other mix-ins besides chocolate chips or walnuts?
A: Definitely! Get creative. Shredded coconut, chopped pecans, white chocolate chips, or even a sprinkle of cinnamon or nutmeg would all be delicious additions.
There’s something truly satisfying about transforming simple ingredients into something extraordinary, and these Golden Ripe Banana Bliss Blondies do just that. They are a testament to the fact that the best desserts are often the simplest – bursting with natural flavor, comforting, and incredibly easy to make. So, next time you see those bananas ripening on your counter, don’t throw them out. Turn them into pure bliss with this irresistible blondie recipe!
Golden Ripe Banana Bliss Blondies
Imagine a dessert that’s wonderfully chewy, deeply caramelized, and bursting with the sweet, comforting flavor of ripe bananas. These Golden Ripe Banana Bliss Blondies are exactly that—a super simple, one-bowl wonder that transforms those overripe bananas on your counter into an irresistible treat. Perfect for a quick weeknight dessert or a crowd-pleasing potluck, they’re incredibly moist with a delightful fudgy texture, making them an instant family favorite. You’ll love how easy they are to whip up, delivering maximum flavor with minimal effort.
- Total Time: 0 hours
- Yield: 12 servings 1x
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup (113g) unsalted butter, melted
- 1 cup (200g) packed light brown sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup (120g) all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup mashed ripe bananas (about 2 medium)
- Optional: 1/2 cup chocolate chips or chopped walnuts
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line an 8×8 inch (20×20 cm) baking pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on two sides to easily lift the blondies out later. Lightly grease the parchment paper.
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the melted butter and brown sugar until well combined and smooth.
- Add the egg and vanilla extract to the butter mixture, whisking until fully incorporated and the mixture is light and creamy.
- Gently fold in the mashed ripe bananas until just combined. Be careful not to overmix at this stage.
- In a separate small bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined and no streaks of flour remain. If using, fold in chocolate chips or chopped walnuts now.
- Pour the batter evenly into the prepared baking pan. Spread it out with a spatula to ensure an even thickness.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with moist crumbs, but not wet batter. Do not overbake for fudgy blondies.
- Let the blondies cool completely in the pan on a wire rack before lifting them out using the parchment paper overhang. Once cool, slice into squares and serve.
Notes
Using very ripe, spotty bananas is key for the best flavor and sweetness. Avoid overmixing the batter once the flour is added; this can lead to tough blondies. For extra richness, swirl a tablespoon of nut butter into the batter before baking. These blondies store well in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, or in the refrigerator for up to a week.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25-30 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American Comfort
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 25g
- Sodium: 150mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 40mg