Black-Bottom Banana Bars

Total Time

Prep: 20 min. Bake: 25 min.

Makes

3 dozen

Updated: Nov. 14, 2023
These bars stay very moist, and their rich banana and chocolate flavor is even better the second day. My mother-in-law gave me this recipe, and it's a big favorite with both my husband and two sons.—Rene Wright, Ferryville, Wisconsin
Black-Bottom Banana Bars Recipe photo by Taste of Home

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup butter, softened
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 1 large egg, room temperature
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1-1/2 cups mashed ripe bananas (about 3 medium)
  • 1-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 cup baking cocoa

Directions

  1. In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy, 5-7 minutes. Beat in egg and vanilla. Stir in the bananas. Combine the flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt; add to creamed mixture and mix well.
  2. Divide batter in half. Add cocoa to half; spread into a greased 13x9-in. baking pan. Spoon remaining batter on top and, if desired, swirl with a knife to marble batter.
  3. Bake at 350° until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, about 25 minutes. Cool on a wire rack.

Nutrition Facts

1 bar: 76 calories, 3g fat (2g saturated fat), 12mg cholesterol, 104mg sodium, 12g carbohydrate (7g sugars, 1g fiber), 1g protein.