0 from 15 votes
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!
Prep Time
15 mins
Cook Time
15 mins
Total Time
35 mins
Servings: 24 servings
Calories: 292 kcal
Course:
Dessert
Cuisine:
American
Ingredients
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
Instructions
Cake
- Preheat the oven to 375°F. Spray a half sheet pan with baking spray or line with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, beat the sugar and butter together on medium-high speed for 2 to 3 minutes until creamy and light.
- 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.
- Add the flour, baking soda, and salt, mixing just until incorporated. Spread the batter into the prepared pan.
- Bake for 20 minutes until golden brown on top and a toothpick inserted in the center of the cake comes out clean.
Cup of Yum
Frosting
- Melt the butter in a medium saucepan set over medium heat. Add the brown sugar and bring to a boil, stirring frequently.
- Add the milk, then remove from the heat.
- 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
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
% 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.