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Banana Bars with Browned Butter Glaze
4.6 from 138 votes

Banana Bars with Browned Butter Glaze

Banana Bars with Browned Butter Glaze combine moist banana-flavored bars studded with white chocolate chips and a rich, smooth glaze made from browned butter, confectioners’ sugar, vanilla bean paste, and cream. The bars have a tender crumb and subtle sweetness that pairs well with the nutty glaze topping, making for a satisfying dessert or snack.

Prep Time
15 mins
Cook Time
33 mins
Total Time
48 mins
Servings: 12 squares
Calories: 345 kcal
Course: Baked Goods
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Bars
  • ¾ cup white chocolate chips
  • ½ cup butter melted (1 stick, unsalted
  • 1 large egg
  • ½ cup granulated sugar
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 1 cup banana about 2 large or 3 small/medium ripe bananas, mashed
  • 1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
  • pinch salt (optional and to taste)
Glaze
  • ¼ cup butter browned, unsalted
  • 1 cup confectioners’ sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla bean paste
  • pinch salt (optional and to taste)
  • ¼ cup heavy cream or as necessary for consistency (can also use milk)

Instructions

Make the Bars
    Cup of Yum
  1. Preheat oven to 350F. Line an 8-by-8-inch baking pan with aluminum foil, spray with cooking spray; set aside.
  2. In a large, microwave-safe bowl add the white chocolate, butter, and heat to melt, about 2 minutes on high power. Stop to check and stir after 1 minute, and then heat in 20-second bursts, stopping to stir after each burst, until mixture can be stirred smooth. White chocolate is very prone to scorching and seizing up, so watch it carefully and don’t overheat.
  3. Wait momentarily before adding the egg so you don’t scramble it. Add the egg, sugar, vanilla, and whisk until combined.
  4. Stir in the bananas until well-combined.
  5. Add the flour, optional salt, and stir until just combined; don’t overmix.
  6. Turn batter out into prepared pan, smoothing the top lightly with a spatula.
  7. Bake for about 32 to 33 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out mostly clean, or with a few moist crumbs, but no batter. In the last 15 minutes of baking, make the glaze.
Make the Glaze
  1. Brown the butter (click for tutorial). Cook butter over medium-high heat in a small saucepan until it’s amber to brown in color, about 5 minutes depending on pan size, but watch it closely so you don’t burn it. I swirl the pan in the last minute or so to make sure I can really see the color changes. Butter will go through stages of hissing, sputtering, and making noise until the water cooks off at which point the browning occurs. Butter will smell nutty and aromatic.
  2. Transfer butter, including brown bits at the bottom of the pan (they’re flavor powerhouses, keep them) from pan to large mixing bowl which stops any carryover cooking.
  3. Add the confectioners’ sugar, vanilla bean paste, optional salt, and slowly add the milk, whisking until smooth or beat with a handheld electric mixer. As necessary, add additional cream (or confectioners’ sugar) to reach desired glaze consistency. Glaze should be of medium thickness and easily pourable.
Assemble the Bars
  1. Evenly pour glaze over bars (they don’t have to be cooled first), smoothing it lightly with a spatula if necessary, but glaze will likely just slide into place.
  2. Allow bars to cool in pan uncovered for at least 2 to 3 hours, (or overnight and cover with a sheet of foil) before slicing and serving so glaze can set up. 
  3. Bars will keep airtight at room temperature for up to 1 week, or in the freezer for up to 6 months.

Notes

  • You may substitute seeds from one large vanilla bean or one tablespoon of vanilla extract interchangeably in this recipe.

Nutrition Information

Serving 1 Calories 345kcal (17%) Carbohydrates 43g (14%) Protein 4g (8%) Fat 18g (28%) Saturated Fat 11g (55%) Polyunsaturated Fat 6g (35%) Cholesterol 55mg (18%) Sodium 52mg (2%) Fiber 1g (4%) Sugar 26g (52%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 12 squares

Amount Per Serving

Calories 345

% Daily Value*

Serving 1
Calories 345kcal 17%
Carbohydrates 43g 14%
Protein 4g 8%
Fat 18g 28%
Saturated Fat 11g 55%
Polyunsaturated Fat 6g 35%
Cholesterol 55mg 18%
Sodium 52mg 2%
Fiber 1g 4%
Sugar 26g 52%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.