Easy Chunky Monkey Brownies 🍌🐒🍌

These flavorful and delicious brownies are so simple to make!

Ingredients:

1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, at room temperature

1 1/2 cups packed brown sugar

1/2 cup granulated sugar

2 eggs

2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract

1/4 teaspoon banana extract (optional)

2/3 cup mashed or pureed banana (about 1 medium banana)

2 cups all purpose flour

1/4 teaspoon salt

2 cups semi sweet chocolate chips

3/4 cup chopped pecans**

1/4 cup semi sweet chocolate chips

Method:

Preheat oven to 350*. Line a 9x13 inch pan with parchment paper that hangs over to sides of the pan. Use butter to grease the pan and the parchment paper. Set aside.

In a large mixing bowl, beat the butter and sugars with an electric mixer until the mixture is well combined and smooth.

Add the eggs and extracts. Mix well. Add the banana and mix until combined.

Sift together the flour and salt. Mix into the creamed ingredients.

Fold in the 2 cups of chocolate chips and the pecans. 

Spread the thick batter evenly in the prepared pan. Sprinkle the remaining chocolate chips over the top of the batter.

Bake for 35 to 40 minutes or until the top is golden brown and a pick inserted in the center comes out clean. 

Remove the pan from the oven and place on a rack to cool completely.

After the pan of brownies is completely cooled, place in the refrigerator for 1 hour.

Remove from the fridge lift them from tbarshe pan by holding the long sides of the parchment paper. Cut into 36 bars. Store in the refrigerator, in an airtight container with layers of waxed paper in between layers of brownies. Makes 3 dozen.

**A true "Chunky Monkey" is made with bananas, chocolate and pecans, but the nuts can be omitted for people who don't like them or have a nut allergy.

Notes: 

Bar cookies and brownies are very simple and quick to make and these banana and chocolate brownies are a different and delicious treat! 

I do add the banana extract for extra flavor, but sometimes omit the pecans when baking for family who prefer the brownies without them.