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Chocolate Chip Banana Bread Blondies

Chocolate Chip Banana Bread Blondies

Chocolate Chip Banana Bread Blondies blend moist banana, brown sugar richness, and pockets of melting chocolate into a chewy bar format. These easy to make blondies are perfect for snacks, brunch, or a simple dessert, delivering warm caramel notes and a tender crumb. Make them when bananas are ripe to avoid waste and enjoy a crowd pleasing treat that disappears fast.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Course Desserts
Cuisine American
Servings 4 servings
Calories 180 kcal

Equipment

  • Mixing Bowls
  • Whisk
  • 8-by-8-inch baking pan
  • Parchment Paper
  • Spatula
  • Wire Rack

Ingredients
  

  • 1 1/4 cup White Lily® Wheat and White Grape Seed Flour Blend Provide structure and bulk to the batter while imparting a tender crumb; sifted blend offers a lighter texture and helps distribute leavening evenly throughout the blondies for consistent rise.
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt Enhance overall flavor balance and control the dough's chemical interactions; measured precisely to strengthen gluten minimally and elevate sweetness and other flavors without overpowering.
  • 1/4 teaspoon baking soda React with acidic components to gently leaven the batter and create a finer crumb; used sparingly to avoid metallic taste while contributing slight lift during baking.
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted Add rich moisture and tenderness while carrying flavor; melted form blends smoothly with sugars and banana for a fudgy, dense blondie texture and browned edges.
  • 3/4 cup packed light brown sugar Contribute deep caramel-like sweetness and moisture, promoting chewiness and complex flavor; packed brown sugar also aids in spreading and color development during baking.
  • 1 large egg Bind ingredients together and provide structure through coagulated proteins; yields lift and richness while helping set the blondies as they cool.
  • 1/2 cup mashed banana (from 1 large, very ripe banana) Introduce natural sweetness, moisture, and flavor complexity while replacing some fat; mashed banana adds density, banana aroma, and keeps the blondies soft and moist.
  • 3/4 teaspoon vanilla extract Provide aromatic sweetness and enhance other flavors; small amount amplifies vanilla notes and rounds out the overall flavor profile without making it overtly perfumed.
  • 1 cup mini semisweet chocolate chips Deliver concentrated bursts of chocolate flavor and textural contrast; mini chips distribute more evenly than larger chips, creating chocolate in every bite and pockets of melted richness.
  • 1/2 cup coarsely chopped pecans Add crunchy texture and nutty flavor, offering contrast to the tender crumb; coarsely chopped pecans also contribute aroma and visual appeal while complementing banana and chocolate.

Instructions
 

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line an 8-by-8-inch square baking pan with parchment paper; generously butter parchment.: You will notice a warm wave of anticipation as the oven reaches temperature and the kitchen begins to warm. Preheating ensures even rise and proper set, otherwise the blondies can bake unevenly and remain underdone in the center. A common mistake is skipping preheat, which lengthens bake time unpredictably. Check that the rack is centered and the pan will get even heat all around.
  • In a bowl, whisk together flour, salt, and baking soda until evenly distributed and set aside.: When you line and butter the parchment, the paper clings to the corners and creates a release that lifts the bars out cleanly. The butter also helps the edges brown attractively. If you skip buttering, the blondies may stick to the paper, causing tearing when removed. Press the parchment snugly into corners so the batter spreads evenly later.
  • In a large mixing bowl, combine melted butter and brown sugar and mix until smooth and paste-like. Mix in egg, followed by mashed banana and vanilla, mixing well until smooth. Add dry ingredients and mix until just incorporated. Stir in chocolate chips and pecans.: Whisking dry ingredients creates a uniform matrix so pockets of leavener do not cluster and create uneven holes. You should see a light, homogenous powder and feel a slightly dusty texture on your fingertips. A mistake is to dump ingredients haphazardly; that can yield bitter spots of baking soda. Sifting is optional but helps if your flour is clumpy.
  • Pour into prepared baking pan, spreading into an even layer. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes or until center is set and edges are light golden brown, and a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. Place pan on a wire rack and let cool completely before lifting out and cutting into squares.: As you stir, the butter and brown sugar will form a glossy paste that smells faintly caramelized. This step dissolves sugar into the fat, which contributes to a tender, cohesive batter. If the butter is too hot, it can cook the egg later, so let it cool briefly. Over mixing here is unlikely, but vigorous beating can incorporate too much air, altering the final texture.
  • Mix in egg followed by mashed banana and vanilla mixing well until smooth: After adding the egg , the mixture will lighten and become more fluid; the mashed banana will introduce moisture and a fragrant, fruity scent. Stir until the batter appears smooth, with no large streaks of egg or banana. If you add a cold egg to warm butter, it can seize slightly, so use room temperature egg or cooled butter. Avoid vigorous whisking that can make the final crumb cakier than intended.
  • Add dry ingredients and mix until just incorporated: Folding the dry mixture in gently preserves tenderness. You will notice the batter thicken and lose some sheen as the flour absorbs moisture. Mix only until streaks disappear; overmixing develops gluten and will produce a tougher bar. A common error is to keep stirring to smooth lumps, which risks a chewier texture instead of the ideal tender crumb.
  • Stir in chocolate chips and pecans: As you fold in the chocolate chips and coarsely chopped pecans , you should hear the gentle clink of chips and see dark specks distributed through the batter. These mix ins create pockets of melted chocolate and nutty crunch. If you add too many mix ins they can weigh down the batter and affect bake time, so stick to the measured amounts.
  • Pour into prepared baking pan spreading into an even layer: Pouring the batter and using a spatula to level it ensures uniform thickness, which is essential for even baking. The batter should spread to the edges without gaps, and a smooth top helps the blondies bake evenly and look attractive. If the batter is uneven, corners may overbrown while the center underbakes, so take a moment to even it out.
  • Bake for 30 to 35 minutes or until center is set and edges are light golden brown and a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean: During the bake you will smell warm brown sugar and banana. The surface will shift from glossy to matte and the edges will take on a light golden brown hue. The toothpick test ensures the center is set without drying the bars. Resist opening the oven too often, as that can lower the temperature and cause uneven baking. If the toothpick has a few moist crumbs, that is fine, but wet batter indicates more time is needed.
  • Place pan on a wire rack and let cool completely before lifting out and cutting into squares: Cooling on a wire rack lets air circulate and prevents the bottom from steaming, which helps the bars set and slice cleanly. As they cool, you will feel the texture firm up from a tender interior to a sliceable bar. Cutting too soon often causes the bars to crumble, so patience pays off. Use the parchment sling to lift the block out, then slice with a sharp knife for neat edges.

Notes

  • Check your leavening, especially if it has been in the pantry for a long time; stale baking soda can leave the bars flat.
  • Toast the pecans briefly in a dry skillet to deepen their aroma, but watch closely because nuts can scorch quickly.
  • Use mini chips if you want even distribution of chocolate through every bite; full size chips can cluster and create pockets that affect texture.
  • Room temperature egg mixes more smoothly with melted butter and helps create a homogenous batter.
  • Let the blondies cool fully before slicing so they hold their shape and you get neat squares.
Keyword banana blondies recipe, chocolate chip banana bars, easy banana bread blondies, quick banana dessert bars