Best Banana Bars Recipe with Cream Cheese Frosting
User Reviews
5
Best Banana Bars Recipe with Cream Cheese Frosting
Description
Best Banana Bars Recipe with Cream Cheese Frosting features mashed bananas integrated into a spiced batter enhanced by cinnamon and a balanced amount of salt and baking soda to provide structure. The batter is creamed with butter and sugar for a light texture before baking until golden and firm enough to spring back to the touch. Once cooled, these bars are generously topped with a classic cream cheese frosting combining cream cheese, butter, vanilla, and powdered sugar for a sweet, tangy finish.
The flavor profile balances the natural sweetness and moisture of the bananas with the warmth of cinnamon and the rich tang of the frosting. The bars bake evenly in a 9x13 inch pan, though baking times adjust for other pan sizes as noted. Their texture is moist with a tender crumb, making for satisfying handheld treats.
This recipe’s bars serve well sliced alongside coffee or tea or packed as a portable snack. The cream cheese frosting adds richness that can be modified by adding chocolate chips or nuts into the batter. The bars keep for several days if stored properly, and the recipe includes notes for high altitude baking and making gluten-free variations.
Ingredients
Banana Bars
- ½ cup butter room temperature, replace with ½ cup vegetable oil if preferred (if using unsalted butter, add ¼ teaspoon additional salt, salted
- 1 ½ cups granulated sugar 1 ¼ cups for high altitude, use a monk fruit granulated sugar replacement for sugar-free
- 3 large egg room temperature (if forgot, submerge in warm, not hot water for 5-7 minutes
- 1 ½ teaspoons vanilla extract
- 3 medium banana mashed, thawed if frozen, liquid drained, overripe
- 2 cups all-purpose flour + 2 tablespoons for high altitude, see notes for gluten-free
- 1 teaspoon baking soda reduce to ¾ teaspoon high altitude
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
Cream Cheese Frosting
- 8 ounces cream cheese room temperature, I used full fat
- ½ cup butter room temperature, salted or unsalted
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3 cups powdered sugar
- pinch kosher salt
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175° C). Grease a 9x13 inch baking dish with butter or cooking spray. See notes for baking in other size dishes.
- Use an electric hand mixer or stand mixer to cream the butter and sugar together in a large mixing bowl, on medium-high for 3-4 minutes until light and fluffy.
- Add the eggs, one at a time, mixing for 30 seconds between additions. Then add vanilla, creaming until light. Slowly mix in mashed bananas.
- Whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon in a medium bowl. Then a little at a time, add dry ingredients to the mixing bowl with mixer on low speed. Gently mix until the batter is smooth and creamy and flour mixture is just combined.
- Transfer the batter to the prepared baking dish and bake for 20-25 minutes for 9x13 inch pan, until golden and springs back when lightly touched, and a toothpick inserted comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs. (see notes for baking times for other pan sizes.
- Allow the bars to cool completely before frosting. Once the bars have cooled, prep the frosting by creaming together the cream cheese, butter, vanilla, salt until light and fluffy on medium- high speed in a mixer. Then with the mixer on low slowly add powdered sugar until smooth and creamy. Start on low, as the powdered sugar incorporates, increase the speed, and whip well until light and fluffy. Frost the bars, serve, and enjoy!
Tip for Lower Sugar Banana Bars
- Make half a bath of the frosting or only use half the frosting and store the remaining frosting in an airtight container in the fridge up to one week or freezer up to 3 months. Enjoy on other baked goods.
Notes
- Adjust baking time according to pan size; smaller pans bake faster, thicker bars need more time.
- Add-ins like chocolate chips or chopped toasted walnuts can be mixed into the batter for extra texture and flavor.
- For gluten-free version, substitute all-purpose flour with gluten-free flour blend.
- Use ripe mashed bananas for best moisture and flavor; thaw frozen bananas and drain excess liquid before using.
- Bars can be sliced smaller for bite-sized servings suitable for snacks or parties.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 16servings
Amount Per Serving
Calories 403 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Serving | 1serving | |
| Calories | 403kcal | 20% |
| Carbohydrates | 59g | 20% |
| Protein | 4g | 8% |
| Fat | 18g | 28% |
| Saturated Fat | 10g | 50% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 1g | 6% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 5g | 25% |
| Trans Fat | 0.5g | 25% |
| Cholesterol | 80mg | 27% |
| Sodium | 291mg | 12% |
| Potassium | 134mg | 3% |
| Fiber | 1g | 4% |
| Sugar | 44g | 88% |
| Vitamin A | 610IU | 12% |
| Vitamin C | 2mg | 2% |
| Calcium | 29mg | 3% |
| Iron | 1mg | 6% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5
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