Double Chocolate Banana Nut Bars

Ingredients

• 1 cup unsalted butter
• 0.5 cup Dutch-processed cocoa powder
• 1 tbsp vanilla extract
• 0.5 cup light brown sugar (Spooned and leveled)
• 0.75 cup powdered sugar
• 0.75 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips (Plus more for topping if desired)
• 0.333 cup semi-sweet chocolate (Chopped)
• 3 eggs (Large, room temperature)
• 0.5 cup all-purpose flour
• salt (A pinch)
• 2 ripe bananas (Large)
• 0.5 cup walnuts (Plus more for topping)
• 3 tbsp olive oil

Steps

1. 1

   Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C). Grease an 8-by-8-inch baking pan and line it with parchment paper on all sides. Set the prepared pan aside.

2. 2

   Place the butter in a saucepan over medium-low heat. Stir and scrape the butter from the bottom and sides of the pan every 10 seconds.

3. 3

   Continue cooking the butter for 6–8 minutes. The milk solids will sink to the bottom and begin turning brown. When the butter smells nutty and toasted and has turned deep golden brown, immediately transfer it to a heatproof bowl to cool.

4. 4

   Add the cocoa powder, olive oil, vanilla extract, and chopped chocolate to the cooled browned butter. Mix until the chocolate has melted and the cocoa powder is completely dissolved.

5. 5

   In a separate bowl, crack in the eggs. Add the light brown sugar and whisk for 2–3 minutes, or until the sugar is completely dissolved into the eggs.

6. 6

   Add the powdered sugar to the egg mixture and mix for another 1–2 minutes, until completely incorporated.

7. 7

   Add the cooled browned-butter mixture to the egg and sugar mixture, then mix until combined.

8. 8

   In a separate bowl, mash the bananas well. Add the mashed bananas to the batter and mix them in.

9. 9

   Add the flour, chocolate chips, walnuts, and pinch of salt. Mix until well combined, taking care not to leave dry flour pockets.

10. 10

    Transfer the batter to the prepared 8-by-8-inch baking pan. Top with additional walnuts and chocolate, if desired.

11. 11

    Bake for 33 minutes. The tops should be shiny, and a toothpick inserted into the center should come out with some crumbs clinging to it.

12. 12

    Let the bars cool in the pan for 1–2 hours before cutting.

13. 13

    For clean cuts, use a very sharp knife. Run hot water over the knife to warm it, then wipe it clean with a wet paper towel between cuts.

Notes

The source does not specify how much additional chocolate or walnuts to use for topping. Cooling for 1–2 hours is important before slicing.

Nutrition per serving

• dessert
• bars
• brownies
• baked
• chocolate
• banana
• nutty
• vegetarian