Servings
Font
Back
0 from 27 votes

Best Banana Bars

These moist, sweet banana bars frosted with rich, toffee brown butter frosting are the best banana bar recipe ever! You will love these frosted banana bars with cream cheese frosting.

Prep Time
15 mins
Cook Time
1 hr 15 mins
Additional Time
45 mins
Servings: 24
Calories: 308 kcal
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Banana Bars:
  • 3/4 cup or 12 Tablespoons Butter * (softened)
  • 1 3/4 cups sugar
  • 1/2 cup brown sugar
  • 3 large eggs
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 3 ripe bananas (mashed)
  • 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice (optional)
  • 1 1/2 cups buttermilk
  • 3 cups flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 3/4 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
Brown Butter Frosting:
  • 1/2 cup butter
  • (1) 8-ounce pkg. cream cheese (softened)
  • 3 cups powdered sugar
  • 1 teaspoon Vanilla Bean Paste or Vanilla

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. Preheat oven to 275 degrees. This is definitely a low temperature but it is what helps to keep the banana cake extra moist.
  2. In a large mixing bowl, cream butter, sugar, and brown sugar for 5 minutes or until light and fluffy. Add eggs one at a time, mixing in between. Stir in vanilla.
  3. In a small bowl, mash bananas with lemon juice. Add bananas to bowl and mix well. Stir in buttermilk.
  4. Add flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Pour into greased 9 x 13 pan.
  5. Bake for 70-75 minutes or until baked in the middle. Let cool at room temperature or place in freezer for 45 minutes to 1 hour to keep moist (put oven mitts underneath pan).
Brown Butter Frosting:
    Cup of Yum
  1. Start by browning the butter in a saucepan by melting the butter and allowing it to turn into a light golden brown color. Do not overcook the butter or it can burn. Remove the brown butter from the heat and place it in a mixing bowl.
  2. Once the butter cooled for about 20 minutes, add the cream cheese, powdered sugar, and vanilla, and beat until light and fluffy. Frost the chilled banana bars with the brown butter cream cheese frosting.
  3. Store in the refrigerator or freezer until ready to serve. Cut into bars and serve.

Notes

  • This equals 1 1/2 sticks of butter (3/4 cup or 12 Tablespoons)
  • Can I freeze Banana Bars?  Absolutely! These frosted banana bars are one of my favorite desserts to freeze because the bars stay so moist for a long period of time. I suggest placing them in a freezer-safe container and the bars will freeze for several months.
  • Absolutely! These frosted banana bars are one of my favorite desserts to freeze because the bars stay so moist for a long period of time. I suggest placing them in a freezer-safe container and the bars will freeze for several months.

Nutrition Information

Calories 308kcal (15%) Carbohydrates 50g (17%) Protein 3g (6%) Fat 11g (17%) Saturated Fat 7g (35%) Polyunsaturated Fat 1g Monounsaturated Fat 3g Trans Fat 0.4g Cholesterol 51mg (17%) Sodium 199mg (8%) Potassium 121mg (3%) Fiber 1g (4%) Sugar 36g (72%) Vitamin A 371IU (7%) Vitamin C 1mg (1%) Calcium 36mg (4%) Iron 1mg (6%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 24Serving

Amount Per Serving

Calories 308

% Daily Value*

Calories 308kcal 15%
Carbohydrates 50g 17%
Protein 3g 6%
Fat 11g 17%
Saturated Fat 7g 35%
Polyunsaturated Fat 1g 6%
Monounsaturated Fat 3g 15%
Trans Fat 0.4g 20%
Cholesterol 51mg 17%
Sodium 199mg 8%
Potassium 121mg 3%
Fiber 1g 4%
Sugar 36g 72%
Vitamin A 371IU 7%
Vitamin C 1mg 1%
Calcium 36mg 4%
Iron 1mg 6%

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