Most of a simple cocoa brownie batter goes into the pan first. On top goes a layer made from cream cheese, an egg, sugar, instant banana pudding mix and a splash of milk, which is where the banana flavour comes from.
The last of the brownie batter is dotted over and swirled lightly through the pale layer. After baking and cooling completely, melted chocolate is drizzled over and the pan chills for thirty minutes.
How to Make It
Pan lined
Heat oven to 350°F and line an 8-inch square pan.
Brownie batter
Whisk the melted butter, 1 cup sugar, 2 eggs and vanilla. Fold in the cocoa, flour and salt, then spread most of the batter in the pan.
Banana layer
Beat the cream cheese, 1 egg, 1/3 cup sugar, banana pudding mix and milk until smooth.
Swirled
Spoon the banana layer over the brownie batter, dot with the remaining brownie batter and swirl lightly.
Baked
Bake 27 to 30 minutes until the brownie edges are set and the pale layer is no longer liquid.
Drizzled and chilled
Cool completely, drizzle with the melted chocolate and chill 30 minutes before cutting.
Layering the Pan
Three additions, then a light swirl.
Most of the brownie batter
Spread in the lined pan.
Banana pudding layer
Spooned over the brownie batter.
Remaining brownie batter
Dotted on top, then swirled lightly.
Bake, cool, drizzle with chocolate and chill before cutting.
Ingredient Notes
- Instant banana pudding mix
- One 3.4 oz package, beaten into the cream cheese dry.
- Cream cheese
- Eight ounces, softened so the pale layer beats smooth.
- Semisweet chocolate
- Two ounces, melted for the drizzle.
Why This Recipe Works
- Instant pudding mix gives a strong banana flavour without fresh fruit.
- Cream cheese and egg set the pale layer as it bakes.
- Dotting and swirling marbles the two layers together.
- Chilling firms the cream cheese layer for clean squares.
Success Tips
- Let the cream cheese soften fully so the banana layer has no lumps.
- Swirl with a skewer in a few figure-eights only.
- Drizzle the chocolate from a spoon held high for thin lines.
Serving Ideas
Stack two squares on a board to show the dark base, the pale banana layer and the swirl.
Storage and Reheating
Refrigerate
Keep the brownies covered in the refrigerator.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are there vanilla wafers or banana slices?
No. The banana flavour comes from instant banana pudding mix in the cream cheese layer.
How do I know they are baked?
The brownie edges are set and the pale layer is no longer liquid after 27 to 30 minutes.
