Banana Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting
User Reviews
5
Banana Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting
Description
The recipe uses softened butter and sugar creamed together before adding eggs, vanilla, and ripe mashed bananas. A dry mixture of flour, baking soda, and salt is mixed in to form a thick batter, which is poured into a large pan and baked until a toothpick inserted comes out clean. After cooling, a frosting is prepared by melting butter until it browns and develops a nutty aroma, then creaming it with softened cream cheese, vanilla, a pinch of salt, and gradually adding powdered sugar until smooth.
The frosting is spread evenly over the cooled bars, forming a creamy layer that contrasts with the moist banana base. The browned butter adds depth of flavor to the frosting, giving it a toasty richness beyond typical cream cheese frostings.
These banana bars are best served chilled to enhance the texture and flavor contrast between the bar and frosting. They can be cut into squares for easy serving, suitable for snacks, dessert, or gatherings.
Ingredients
- ½ cup butter softened
- 2 cups sugar
- 3 egg
- 2 cups banana about 3-4 medium bananas, mashed, very ripe (brown
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 cups flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ⅛ teaspoon salt
cream cheese frosting
- ½ cup butter
- 8 ounces cream cheese softened
- 4 cups powdered sugar
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- salt pinch
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees and grease a 15x10x1 inch pan.
- In a large bowl cream together butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs and vanilla and mix well. Next add mashed bananas and mix well.
- In a medium bowl whisk together flour, baking soda, and salt. Add to wet ingredients and mix until incorporated.
- Pour mixture into prepared pan.
- Bake for 25 minutes or until an inserted toothpick comes out clean. Allow to cool.
- To make the frosting, melt butter in a medium sauce pan. Once melted continue to boil until butter turns from a light yellow to a dark golden yellow. (This works best in a light-colored sauce pan so you can gauge the color of the butter)
- In a large bowl cream together the browned butter and cream cheese until smooth. Stir in vanilla and salt. Gradually mix in powdered sugar until completely incorporated and frosting is smooth.
- Spread frosting over cooled bars. Cut and serve OR cover and store at room temperature up to three days.
Notes
- For best flavor and texture, serve the banana bars chilled.
- Use very ripe, brown bananas for optimal sweetness and moisture.
- Brown the butter on medium heat until it reaches a dark golden yellow color for best frosting flavor.
- Ensure the bars are fully cooled before applying frosting to prevent melting.
- Store leftover bars at room temperature covered for up to three days.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 24bars
Amount Per Serving
Calories 270 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 270kcal | 14% |
| Carbohydrates | 48g | 16% |
| Protein | 3g | 6% |
| Fat | 8g | 12% |
| Saturated Fat | 3g | 15% |
| Trans Fat | 1g | 50% |
| Cholesterol | 31mg | 10% |
| Sodium | 147mg | 6% |
| Potassium | 87mg | 2% |
| Fiber | 1g | 4% |
| Sugar | 38g | 76% |
| Vitamin A | 342IU | 7% |
| Vitamin C | 1mg | 1% |
| Calcium | 22mg | 2% |
| Iron | 1mg | 6% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5
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