1-First Step: Preheat and Prepare Your Pan Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). This step is crucial for even baking and that perfect fudgy center. Line and grease an 8×8-inch metal pan with parchment paper, which makes it easy to remove the brownies later. If you only have a 9×9-inch pan, that’s fine too, but keep in mind it might lead to thinner brownies with a slightly shorter bake time.

2-Second Step: Mix the Sugars and Eggs In a large bowl, beat 1 cup (200g) granulated sugar, 1/2 cup (100g) packed light brown sugar, and 2 large eggs (room temperature) on high speed for 1 minute. This creates a light and creamy base that helps incorporate air for a better texture. Make sure your eggs are at room temperature to blend smoothly and avoid curdling the mixture.

3-Third Step: Add the Wet Ingredients Next, add 2/3 cup (200g) mashed ripe bananas, 1/2 cup (113g) melted unsalted butter, and 1 teaspoon (4g) vanilla extract to the bowl. Mix on medium speed until everything combines nicely, which should take about a minute. This step infuses the batter with moisture and flavor, so use super ripe bananas for the best results.

4-Fourth Step: Incorporate the Dry Ingredients Sift in 3/4 cup (100g) all-purpose flour, 1/3 cup (33g) unsweetened cocoa powder, 1/2 teaspoon (2g) baking powder, and 1/4 teaspoon (2g) fine salt. Stir on low speed until just combined, leaving some banana chunks for extra texture. Be careful not to overmix, as this can make your banana peanut butter brownies tough.

5-Fifth Step: Fold in the Chocolate Chips Use a rubber spatula to fold in 1 cup (160g) roughly chopped dark or milk chocolate chips. This ensures they’re evenly distributed without deflating the batter. For a fun variation, you could toss the chips in a little flour first to prevent them from sinking.

6-Sixth Step: Pour and Swirl the Batter Pour the batter into your prepared pan, spreading it evenly. Warm 1/2 cup (180g) creamy peanut butter in the microwave for about 10 seconds, then drop spoonfuls over the batter. Swirl it in with a butter knife or small offset spatula for that marbled effect, which adds visual appeal and extra flavor.

7-Seventh Step: Bake the Brownies Bake for 37-42 minutes, checking with a toothpick to see if it comes out with a few moist crumbs. This timing works for an 8×8-inch pan, so adjust if you’re using glass by lowering the oven to 325°F. Remember, dietary adaptations like using gluten-free flour won’t change the baking time much.

8-Final Step: Cool and Serve Once baked, cool the brownies completely on a wire rack before cutting, which might take about an hour. For cleaner slices, chill them in the fridge for extra time. These banana peanut butter brownies are best enjoyed fresh, but you can store them for later as needed. If you’re looking for more baking ideas, check out our pumpkin spice latte recipe for another cozy treat.