Banana Bars with Penuche Frosting

User Reviews

5.0

15 reviews
Excellent
  • Prep Time

    15 mins

  • Cook Time

    15 mins

  • Total Time

    35 mins

  • Servings

    24 servings

  • Calories

    292 kcal

  • Course

    Dessert

  • Cuisine

    American

Banana Bars with Penuche Frosting

Soft, sweet Banana Bars are topped with an almost fudge-like penuche frosting made with caramelized brown sugar and are the perfect way to use up the overripe brown bananas sitting on your counter! This recipe is essentially a frosted banana sheet cake, but great for cutting into bars and serving a crowd!

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Ingredients

Servings

Cake

  • 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar (300g)
  • 1/2 cup salted butter softened
  • 2 large eggs room temperature
  • 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
  • 1 1/2 cups mashed ripe bananas (about 3 medium bananas)
  • 1 cup sour cream room temperature
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour (281g)
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt

Penuche Frosting

  • 1/2 cup salted butter
  • 1 cup brown sugar packed (200g)
  • 1/4 cup milk
  • 3 1/2 cups sifted powdered sugar
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Instructions

Cake

  1. Preheat the oven to 375°F. Spray a half sheet pan with baking spray or line with parchment paper.
  2. In a large bowl, beat the sugar and butter together on medium-high speed for 2 to 3 minutes until creamy and light.
  3. Add eggs and vanilla, mixing to combine. Add the mashed bananas and sour cream, mixing and scraping down the sides and bottom of the bowl as needed.
  4. Add the flour, baking soda, and salt, mixing just until incorporated. Spread the batter into the prepared pan.
  5. Bake for 20 minutes until golden brown on top and a toothpick inserted in the center of the cake comes out clean.

Frosting

  1. Melt the butter in a medium saucepan set over medium heat. Add the brown sugar and bring to a boil, stirring frequently.
  2. Add the milk, then remove from the heat.
  3. Working quickly, whisk in the powdered sugar and pour over the still warm cake. Use a spatula to immediately spread the frosting around the top of the cake while it is still hot, then let it sit for 30 minutes to set up.

Notes

  • Adding nuts: These bars would be delicious with the addition of chopped walnuts or pecans, either in the cake itself or sprinkled on top of the penuche frosting before it has a chance to set.
  • Cream cheese frosting: If you would rather have a more traditional cream cheese frosting, this one is our favorite.
  • Storage: These will keep for about 5 days on the counter stored in an airtight container. Or you can freeze the bars for up to 2 months. Let thaw on the counter for a couple of hours before serving. The bars are delicious warm, cold, or room temperature.

Nutrition Information

Show Details
Calories 292kcal (15%) Carbohydrates 50g (17%) Protein 2g (4%) Fat 10g (15%) Saturated Fat 6g (30%) Polyunsaturated Fat 1g Monounsaturated Fat 3g Trans Fat 1g Cholesterol 39mg (13%) Sodium 179mg (7%) Potassium 82mg (2%) Fiber 1g (4%) Sugar 40g (80%) Vitamin A 326IU (7%) Vitamin C 1mg (1%) Calcium 28mg (3%) Iron 1mg (6%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 24servings

Amount Per Serving

Calories 292 kcal

% Daily Value*

Calories 292kcal 15%
Carbohydrates 50g 17%
Protein 2g 4%
Fat 10g 15%
Saturated Fat 6g 30%
Polyunsaturated Fat 1g 6%
Monounsaturated Fat 3g 15%
Trans Fat 1g 50%
Cholesterol 39mg 13%
Sodium 179mg 7%
Potassium 82mg 2%
Fiber 1g 4%
Sugar 40g 80%
Vitamin A 326IU 7%
Vitamin C 1mg 1%
Calcium 28mg 3%
Iron 1mg 6%

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

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Overall Rating

5.0

15 reviews
Excellent

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