Banana Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting

Name: Banana Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 35 min
Yield: 4 dozen.
Ingredients: 1/2 cup butter, softened; 1-1/2 cups sugar; 2 large eggs; 1 cup sour cream; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; 2 cups all-purpose flour; 1 teaspoon baking soda; 1/4 teaspoon salt; 2 medium ripe bananas, mashed (about 1 cup); FROSTING:; 1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened; 1/2 cup butter, softened; 2 teaspoons vanilla extract; 3-3/4 to 4 cups confectioners' sugar

I make these moist bars whenever I have ripe bananas on hand, then store them in the freezer to share later at a potluck. With creamy frosting and big banana flavor, this treat is a real crowd-pleaser. —Debbie Knight, Marion, Iowa

Ingredients

1/2 cup butter, softened
1-1/2 cups sugar
2 large eggs
1 cup sour cream
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 medium ripe bananas, mashed (about 1 cup)
FROSTING:
1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup butter, softened
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
3-3/4 to 4 cups confectioners' sugar

Directions

Preheat oven to 350°. In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs, sour cream and vanilla. Combine flour, baking soda and salt; gradually add to creamed mixture. Stir in bananas.
Spread into a greased 15x10x1-in. baking pan. Bake 20-25 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean (do not overbake). Cool.
For frosting, in a large bowl, beat cream cheese, butter and vanilla until fluffy. Gradually beat in enough confectioners' sugar to achieve desired consistency. Frost bars. Store in the refrigerator.

Test Kitchen Tips

For the most intense flavor, use bananas with plenty of brown spots on them. Great way to use up leftovers in your fruit bowl!

Get crunchy by adding toasted walnuts or black walnuts to the batter, or sprinkling them over the frosting.

Nutrition Facts

1 bar: 148 calories, 7g fat (4g saturated fat), 28mg cholesterol, 96mg sodium, 21g carbohydrate (16g sugars, 0 fiber), 1g protein.

Originally published as Frosted Banana Bars in Taste of Home June/July 2000

Reviews

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Average Rating:

Karen

Jun 26, 2018

Delicioso!! Awesome recipe.
jahw012

Jun 16, 2018

This is delicious. I made the cake portion in a 9 x13 and added 18 minutes to the bake time. I didn’t make the icing because the cake was so delicious. It’s like the BEST banana nut bread ever
Lisa

Apr 9, 2018

Fantastic, easy and delicious! No more banana bread, these bars are now my go to!
Debglass11

Apr 4, 2018

These are wonderful! Made exactly as written. The bars are easy to make and the sour cream makes them moist and delicious. And the cream cheese frosting sends them over the top. Great way to use up ripe bananas. This recipe is perfect for potlucks, or anytime you'e craving something sweet! Will definitely make these again!Volunteer Field Editor
jon.ruth.alumbaugh

Mar 28, 2018

I made these Frosted Banana Bars for the umpteenth time recently and it's ALWAYS a winner. Easy to make with ingredients on hand, quantity fit for a king, and flavor to beat the band. This TOH Volunteer Field Editor is ecstatic with this recipe and the outcome. This is a no fail, from scratch recipe. I'll be making this for as long as bananas roam the earth. You will love it, too. It's also great to freeze baked or even just the batter. I double my recipes often and save some for another time when I need something in a pinch.Bake this and be the star of your show. I think a chocolate icing would be marvelous on top, too, wouldn't you? My international friends who don't like sweet things would likely prefer a dusting of powdered sugar.Thanks, Michelle.
tbeyer67

Feb 25, 2018

These are wonderful. They are even better topped with fresh sliced strawberries!
BeckyJCarver

Feb 19, 2018

I made these for a family gathering & everyone loved them. They had the perfect amount of banana flavor & the frosting was so good I could eat it by itself!
jg5357

Jan 1, 2018

I followed the recipe as written, but I did add some walnuts in the batter and sprinkled some on top of the frosting. The cake was moist and so delicious! I baked it in a 13X9 stone pan for about 35 minutes. This is going to be my "go to" recipe when I make banana bars.
TNbluffbaker

Dec 13, 2017

A delicious way to use overripe bananas. The sour cream makes the bars extremely moist.
GaitherMom

Mar 15, 2017

I made this exactly as written except I didn't have sour cream so I used the Dannon light and fit vanilla Greek yogurt, and I added semi sweet chocolate chips. I put it in a 13x9 pan and baked it for 35 minutes. It is moist and light. My husband gave it a 4.5 and my 5 year old gave it a solid 10. My 20 year old has not been here to try it. I am keeping this recipe for taking places. It is fantastic.