Sticky Toffee Pecan Banana Bread Brownies

Fudgy banana bread brownies with a layer of sticky toffee sauce, pecans, and bananas.

These Sticky Toffee Pecan Banana Bread Brownies combine the gooey richness of brownies with the cozy flavors of banana bread and sticky toffee pudding. Made with ripe bananas, almond flour, dark chocolate, and pecans, they’re ultra fudgy and finished with a buttery homemade sticky toffee sauce for the perfect bite.

Why you’ll love these Sticky Toffee Pecan Banana Bread Brownies:

The best of three desserts. These brownies combine the fudgy texture of brownies with the cozy flavors of banana bread and rich, buttery sticky toffee pudding – all in one dessert!

Ultra gooey and fudgy. Ripe bananas, melted chocolate, and a layer of sticky toffee sauce create a soft, fudgy center that’s even better when served warm with extra toffee sauce and a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

Made with simple ingredients. Almond flour, ripe bananas, maple syrup, dark chocolate, and pecans come together to create a decadent dessert without needing any complicated techniques or hard-to-find ingredients.

Ingredient Breakdown + Recipe Modifications:

• Ripe bananas: Use bananas that are very ripe with plenty of brown spots for the best results.
• Maple syrup: Adds natural sweetness and moisture to the brownie batter.
• Egg: Helps the brownies hold together and stay moist.
• Almond flour: Creates a soft, fudgy texture and adds a subtle nuttiness. You can substitute an equal amount of all-purpose flour, though the texture may be slightly different.
• Dutch-processed cocoa powder: Gives the brownies a rich, deep chocolate flavor.
• Dark chocolate: Adds pockets of melted chocolate throughout the brownies. I recommend using a good-quality dark chocolate bar, roughly chopped, for the best texture.
• Pecans: Add the perfect crunch that complements the rich chocolate and sticky toffee flavors. Walnuts can be used as a substitute if preferred.
• Banana slices: Thinly sliced banana adds extra banana flavor and creates a delicious caramelized layer beneath the fudgy brownie.
• Sticky toffee sauce: Made with butter, brown sugar, molasses, vanilla, salt, and coconut cream, this rich sauce is what gives these brownies their signature sticky toffee flavor. Save some for drizzling over the brownies when serving.
• Apple cider vinegar: A small amount helps react with the baking soda, giving the brownies a little lift while balancing the sweetness.
• Salt: Essential for balancing the sweetness and bringing out the chocolate, banana, and caramel flavors.

How to make Sticky Toffee Pecan Banana Bread Brownies:

Toffee Sauce

1. In a medium saucepan over medium-high heat, melt the butter.
2. Add the brown sugar and molasses. Bring the mixture to a simmer, whisking occasionally, and simmer for 4-5 minutes. Whisk in coconut cream and simmer for 1 minute more until slightly thickened. Remove from heat and whisk in vanilla and salt. Transfer to a jar and set aside to cool.

Brownies

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line an 8×8″ baking pan with parchment paper.
2. In a large mixing bowl, mash ripe bananas until smooth. Whisk in maple syrup, egg, apple cider vinegar, and vanilla. Fold in almond flour, cocoa powder, baking powder and soda, and salt until smooth. Fold in dark chocolate.
3. Pour 1/4 cup of toffee sauce in the prepared baking pan and spread into an even layer. Reserve remaining sauce for topping. Sprinkle over pecans and banana slices. Pour brownie batter over the sticky toffee base. 
4. Bake for 25-30 min. or until toothpick inserted comes out with moist crumbs (it may be a bit wet, due to the chocolate chunks).
5. Important! Let cool for 30 min. before slicing. It may seem a bit underdone, but that’s what makes it ultra gooey and fudgy. Serve with vanilla ice cream and remaining toffee sauce.

Pro Tips:

• Use very ripe bananas. The riper the bananas, the sweeter and more flavorful your brownies will be. Look for bananas with plenty of brown spots for the best results.
• Don’t overbake. These brownies are meant to be ultra fudgy and gooey, so pull them from the oven when a toothpick comes out with moist crumbs. The center will continue to set as they cool.
• Let them cool before slicing. Give the brownies at least 30 minutes to cool in the pan. This helps them firm up enough to slice while keeping that deliciously gooey center.
• Save extra toffee sauce for serving. Drizzle the reserved sticky toffee sauce over each brownie just before serving for an extra-rich, decadent finish.

Frequently asked questions:

Can I use all-purpose flour instead of almond flour?
Yes! You can substitute all-purpose flour for the almond flour in an equal amount. The texture may be slightly less tender, but the brownies will still be delicious.

Can I make these brownies without the sticky toffee sauce?
The sticky toffee sauce is what gives these brownies their signature flavor, so I highly recommend making it. However, the brownies themselves are still delicious on their own if you’re short on time.

Why do my brownies look underdone?
These brownies are intentionally very fudgy, so they may look slightly underdone when they first come out of the oven. Let them cool for at least 30 minutes before slicing—the center will continue to set as they cool.

Can I use frozen bananas?
Yes! Thaw the bananas completely and drain off any excess liquid before mashing. Very ripe fresh bananas will give you the best texture and flavor.

Storage + Reheating Instructions:

Room temperature: Store cooled brownies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.

Refrigerator: For longer storage, refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 5 days.

Freezer: Freeze brownies in an airtight container or freezer-safe bag for up to 3 months. For the best results, freeze the brownies separately from the sticky toffee sauce. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and warm before serving.

If you loved these Sticky Toffee Pecan Banana Bread Brownies, you’ll also enjoy these other chocolatey desserts:

• No Bake Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Bars
• Dark Chocolate Cereal Cookies
• Dark Chocolate Date and Oat Bars
• Peanut Butter Swirl Banana Bread Brownies

Also, if you make this recipe and decide to share it on Facebook or Instagram don’t forget to tag me @healthienut + #healthienut! I love seeing your mouthwatering recreations!