Baking with Olivia and Caroline

If you have a brownie lover visiting for the holidays, please make these for them. The combination of rich chocolate and caramelized banana is so good, and the addition of cream cheese makes them extra special. And aren’t we all supposed to be a little extra over the holidays!

We think these would be the perfect dessert to bring to any holiday party. Rich, chocolatey, with a little bit of banana and a creamy swirl of cream cheese – what’s not to love? Bonus: they look really pretty, too! Heck, you can even wrap them up and put a big bow on them for the holidays!

Two notes: There are a few steps involved in making these, but none of them are difficult. We added a little rum to the caramelized bananas, but you can absolutely leave it out. It’s just enough to enhance the banana flavor without overpowering it, but we completely understand if rum in recipes isn’t your thing.

We do highly recommend adding the espresso powder, though. As we’ve mentioned many, many times, espresso powder enhances the chocolate and makes these brownies even richer.

As always, enjoy!

Caramelized bananas

• 2 very ripe bananas
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 3 tablespoons brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1 tablespoon rum
• Pinch of flaky salt

Melt the butter in a frying pan over medium-low heat. Stir in the brown sugar and cinnamon.

Peel the bananas and cut them in half lengthwise. Place them flat-side down in the pan, and let them cook undisturbed for a few minutes. Once they begin to caramelize, gently smash them with a wooden spoon until they become nice and mushy.

When the bananas are well caramelized, carefully add the rum and a pinch of flaky salt. Always use caution when adding alcohol to a hot pan. 

Stir to combine, then set aside to cool slightly.

Cream cheese mixture

• 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
• 1 egg, at room temperature
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• Pinch of salt

Beat the softened cream cheese in a mixing bowl until smooth. Add the egg, vanilla, and salt, and mix until fully combined and creamy. Set aside.

Brownies

• 1 cup butter
• 2 cups sugar
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 4 eggs, at room temperature
• 1 cup cocoa powder
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• ½ teaspoon baking powder
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon espresso powder
• Preheat the oven to 350°F. Grease an 8”x8” metal baking pan or line it with parchment paper.

Melt the butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Remove from the heat and let cool for a few minutes. Stir in the sugar, vanilla, and espresso powder.

Add the eggs one at a time, beating well with a wooden spoon after each addition. Stir in the cocoa powder until fully combined. Add the flour, baking powder, and salt, and stir just until everything is incorporated.

Pour the brownie batter into the prepared pan.

Drop spoonfuls of the caramelized bananas over the surface of the brownie batter. Fill in the remaining areas with spoonfuls of the cream cheese mixture. Using a toothpick or the tip of a knife, gently swirl the banana and cream cheese mixtures into the brownie batter.

Bake for 35-45 minutes, rotating the pan after 20 minutes. Keep a close eye on them toward the end of baking. The center should still have a slight jiggle but should not look wet or raw. The brownies will continue to set as they cool.

Allow the brownies to cool completely before cutting. •

Olivia and Caroline are enthusiastic foodies and bakers who are constantly in the kitchen, as well as explorers who create their own adventures in our area – and did we mention they are mother and daughter? Follow Olivia on Instagram to see her many creations at @oliviawvalentine.