Description

These Banana Bars are soft, moist, and topped with a rich cream cheese frosting that makes them completely irresistible. Perfect for dessert or a sweet snack, this easy banana bar recipe is a crowd-pleaser with just the right balance of sweetness and banana flavor. #BananaBars #EasyDessertRecipes #HomemadeRecipes #HealthyRecipesEasy #QuickDessertIdeas #BananaRecipes #ComfortFood

Ingredients

Units Scale

For the bars:

8 tablespoons (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
1 cup sour cream
2 large eggs
Cooking spray
2 medium or 3 small ripe bananas (about 1 cup mashed)
1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1 teaspoon baking soda
2 cups all-purpose flour

For the frosting and topping:

8 ounces full-fat cream cheese, softened
8 tablespoons (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
2 1/2 cups powdered sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
20 banana chips (optional, for garnish)

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Instructions

Preheat the oven to 350ºF. Coat a 9×13-inch baking pan with cooking spray and line with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on two sides.
Mash the bananas in a bowl until mostly smooth (about 1 cup).
In a stand mixer, beat the softened butter with granulated sugar until light and fluffy, 2–3 minutes.
Beat in the eggs one at a time, then add sour cream, vanilla extract, and kosher salt. Mix until combined.
Sprinkle baking soda evenly over the batter. Add flour and mix on low until almost combined. Add mashed bananas and mix until fully incorporated.
Pour the batter into the prepared pan and spread evenly. Bake for 30–35 minutes or until a tester comes out clean. Cool completely on a wire rack, about 1.5 to 2 hours.
For the frosting, beat softened cream cheese and butter together until fluffy, about 3 minutes. Add powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and salt. Beat on low to combine, then on medium-high until smooth and fluffy, about 3 minutes more.
Remove the cooled banana bar slab from the pan using the parchment sling. Frost the top evenly. Cut into 20 bars and optionally top each with a banana chip.

Notes

Use very ripe bananas for best flavor and sweetness.
Bars can be made a day in advance and refrigerated (unfrosted or frosted).
For a nutty twist, add chopped walnuts or pecans to the batter.
Store leftovers in the fridge for up to 5 days.

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 bar
Calories: 270
Sugar: 26g
Sodium: 150mg
Fat: 14g
Saturated Fat: 8g
Unsaturated Fat: 5g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 35g
Fiber: 1g
Protein: 2g
Cholesterol: 45mg