Makeover Frosted Banana Bars Recipe

Makeover Frosted Banana Bars RecipePhoto by: Taste of Home Makeover Frosted Banana Bars Recipe Rating 5

“I've made these banana bars many times, always with favorable comments and requests for the recipe.” With this makeover, you don't have to be shy about grabbing seconds of this treat! Susan Stuff — Mercersburg, Pennsylvania

This recipe is:

Healthy

Diabetic Friendly

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Makeover Frosted Banana Bars Recipe
  • Prep: 15 min. Bake: 20 min. + cooling
  • Yield: 36 Servings
15 20 35

Ingredients

  • 3 tablespoons butter, softened
  • 1-1/2 cups sugar
  • 2 eggs
  • 1-1/2 cups mashed ripe bananas (about 3 medium)
  • 1/4 cup unsweetened applesauce
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • Dash salt
  • FROSTING:
  • 1 package (8 ounces) reduced-fat cream cheese
  • 1/3 cup butter, softened
  • 3 cups confectioners' sugar
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Directions

  • In a large bowl, beat butter and sugar until crumbly, about 2 minutes. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in the bananas, applesauce and vanilla. Combine the flour, baking soda and salt; stir into butter mixture just until blended.
  • Transfer to a 15-in. x 10-in. x 1-in. baking pan coated with cooking spray. Bake at 350° for 20-25 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. Cool in pan on a wire rack.
  • For frosting, in a small bowl, beat cream cheese and butter until fluffy. Add confectioners' sugar and vanilla; beat until smooth. Frost bars. Refrigerate leftovers. Yield: 3 dozen.

Nutritional Facts 1 bar equals 149 calories, 4 g fat (3 g saturated fat), 23 mg cholesterol, 89 mg sodium, 26 g carbohydrate, trace fiber, 2 g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 2 starch, 1 fat.

Originally published as Makeover Frosted Banana Bars in Healthy Cooking February/March 2009, p22

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Reviews for Makeover Frosted Banana Bars (11)

Makeover Frosted Banana Bars Recipe

Makeover Frosted Banana Bars

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Reviewed on Jan. 16, 2012 by Mel_G.

Delicious! I loved them and couldn't tell by the taste that they were a "lighter" version. Very moist. I didn't have a 15x10 baking pan, so I used a 9x13, and it worked just fine. Would definitely make again!


Reviewed on Sep. 15, 2011 by Sillyman1

I have made this recipe a couple of times now. It always is a big hit in my family. I do add some cinnamon to the batter per my personal preference, but it good either way.


Reviewed on Apr. 20, 2011 by Ladycook

Great recipe. Easy to make and great tasting bars. To Pennsylvania Patty: The smaller pan can be used, it will just yield a thicker bar. It may or may not affect the cooking time. If it does, it will be by just a little. I hope that helps. Marina


Reviewed on Apr. 12, 2011 by my5csmom

Whenever I have over ripe bananas, my family will ask for these, they used to ask for my famous Banana Bread but not anymore.


Reviewed on Aug. 01, 2010 by danielleylee

I used a 16 in. X 11 in x 1 in baking pan. These bars turned out great for the family reunion! I used some fat free cream cheese in the frosting because i did not have a full 8 ounces of the 1/3 fat cream cheese. And adding some nutmeg. I definitely will be making these bars again!


Reviewed on Jun. 25, 2010 by Pennsylvania Pattie

What would you do if you don't have a 10x15 baking pan? I only have a 13x9, and would like to make this for a church function.


Reviewed on Jan. 31, 2010 by muttluvr76

Excellent! We enjoyed these very much--very tasty, moist and tender with a great flavor--you'd never know they were "makeovers"!


Reviewed on Jan. 18, 2010 by jlee6300

I have made these many times since I discovered this recipe and I have always gotten rave reviews.


Reviewed on Jan. 06, 2010 by kandabear

I just made these and they are delicious!! I wil deffeintly make these again!


Reviewed on Jan. 05, 2010 by bartim718

I made these last night for a family dinner! Got RAVE reviews! So I brought the rest to work today!! Yummmmy!!!

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