Description
Deliciously moist Banana Bars topped with a creamy, smooth Cream Cheese Frosting. These bars combine ripe bananas with a tender cake-like texture and are perfect for a sweet snack or dessert, serving 20 with a rich, flavorful finish.
Ingredients
Banana Bars
- 1 stick (8 Tbs.) butter, softened
- 1 cup sour cream
- 2 large eggs
- 1¼ cups granulated sugar
- 2 tsp. vanilla extract
- 1 tsp. baking soda
- ½ tsp. salt
- 2 cups flour
- 3 medium, very ripe bananas (about 1 cup mashed)
Cream Cheese Frosting
- 8 oz. cream cheese, softened
- 1 stick (8 Tbs.) butter, softened
- 2 tsp. vanilla extract
- ¼ tsp. salt
- 2½ cups powdered sugar
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Pan: Arrange an oven rack in the middle position and preheat the oven to 350ºF. Coat a 9x13-inch baking pan with cooking spray and line the bottom with parchment paper extending over the long sides for easy removal.
- Mash Bananas: Place the very ripe bananas in a shallow bowl and mash thoroughly with a fork or potato masher until mostly smooth, yielding about 1 cup.
- Mix Wet Ingredients: Using an electric mixer on medium speed, beat the softened butter and granulated sugar in a large bowl for 2 to 3 minutes until pale and fluffy. Add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each. Incorporate sour cream, vanilla extract, and salt, scraping down the bowl sides as needed.
- Add Dry Ingredients and Bananas: Reduce mixer speed to low and beat in baking soda, followed by flour until just combined. Then stir in the mashed bananas gently on low speed until fully integrated. Scrape the batter evenly into the prepared pan.
- Bake the Bars: Bake in the preheated oven for 30 to 35 minutes until the top is light golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Remove from oven and set the pan on a wire rack to cool completely.
- Prepare Frosting: While bars cool, beat the softened cream cheese and butter in a medium bowl on medium speed until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes, scraping down the bowl sides as needed. Add vanilla extract and salt, mixing until blended.
- Add Powdered Sugar: Reduce mixer speed to low and gradually add the powdered sugar until combined. Increase speed to medium-high and beat for about 3 minutes until the frosting is smooth, fluffy, and easy to spread.
- Remove Bars from Pan: Lift the bars from the pan using the excess parchment paper onto a cutting board. Carefully discard the parchment paper.
- Frost and Serve: Spread the cream cheese frosting evenly over the cooled banana bars using an offset spatula. Cut into 20 equal pieces and serve.
Notes
- Use very ripe bananas as they provide maximum sweetness and moisture.
- Line the pan with parchment paper extending beyond edges to easily lift bars out after baking.
- Ensure bars are completely cool before frosting to prevent melting.
- For a firmer frosting, chill it briefly before spreading.
- Store leftover bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.