Banana Brownies with Peanut Butter Fudge Frosting

I'm trying to eat healthy this month. Today is not a good day for that. I had some overly ripe bananas that I needed to make something with, and instead of banana bread I made banana brownies! I can't stop eating them! The brownies are thick, but not cake like. I've been keeping mine in the fridge and they are so fudgy! The frosting has a little bit of peanut butter, so you're getting that classic peanut butter and banana flavor. Oooo the frosting would be great with Nutella too...hmmm. So if you're looking for something to make with those old bananas, try these brownies instead of bread!!

Banana Brownies with Peanut Butter Fudge Frosting

adapted from backforseconds.com

Brownie

3/4 cup unsalted butter 

1 cup semi sweet chocolate chips 

2/3 cups cocoa powder 

2 cups sugar 

1/2 tsp salt 

1 tsp vanilla 

1 cup overripe mashed banana 

4 eggs 

1 1/4 cup flour 

1 cup semi sweet chocolate chips 

Frosting 

1/4 cup salted butter, softened 

1/4 cup shortening 

1/4 cup creamy peanut butter

2/3 cups cocoa powder

2 1/4 cups powdered sugar 

1/4 cup milk, half and half, or cream 

 1. Preheat oven to 350. Grease a 9x13 inch baking pan.

 2. In a large microwave safe mixing bowl, heat butter and chocolate chips in the microwave in 30 increments, stirring each time, until melted and smooth. 

3. Whisk in cocoa powder until smooth. Stir in sugar, salt, vanilla, and mashed bananas. Add eggs, one at a time, stirring after each addition. 

4. Gently stir in flour until combined. Stir in chocolate chips. 

5. Spread batter evenly into prepared pan. Bake 23-28 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with fudge like crumbs. Let cool completely before frosting. 

6. To prepare frosting: In a mixer with paddle attachment, cream together butter, shortening, and peanut butter until light and creamy, scraping down sides when needed. Add cocoa and powdered sugar and half of the milk; beat very well. If too thick, add more milk until desired consistency is reached. Beat a couple of minutes until light and fluffy. Spread over cooled brownies.