Banana Nut Bars

Name: Banana Nut Bars
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 35 min
Yield: 3 dozen.
Ingredients: 1 cup butter, cubed; 1/2 cup water; 1-1/2 cups sugar; 1/2 cup packed brown sugar; 1 cup mashed ripe bananas (about 2 medium); 1/2 cup buttermilk; 2 large eggs; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; 2 cups all-purpose flour; 1 teaspoon baking soda; 1/2 cup chopped pecans or walnuts; FROSTING:; 1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened; 1/2 cup butter, softened; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; 3-1/2 cups confectioners' sugar

My sister gave me this recipe, which is always in demand with family, friends and co-workers. It's amazing how fast these tempting bars vanish when I serve them! The cream cheese frosting is heavenly.

Ingredients

1 cup butter, cubed
1/2 cup water
1-1/2 cups sugar
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1 cup mashed ripe bananas (about 2 medium)
1/2 cup buttermilk
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 cup chopped pecans or walnuts
FROSTING:
1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup butter, softened
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3-1/2 cups confectioners' sugar

Directions

In a small saucepan, bring butter and water to a boil. Remove from the heat; set aside. In a large bowl, beat the sugars, bananas, buttermilk, eggs and vanilla until blended. Combine flour and baking soda; gradually add to sugar mixture. Beat in butter mixture until blended. Stir in nuts.
Pour into a greased 15x10x1-in. baking pan. Bake at 350° for 18-22 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool on a wire rack.
For frosting, in a large bowl, beat cream cheese and butter until light and fluffy. Beat in vanilla. Gradually add confectioners' sugar until smooth. Spread over bars. Store in the refrigerator.

Nutrition Facts

1 each: 226 calories, 11g fat (6g saturated fat), 39mg cholesterol, 139mg sodium, 30g carbohydrate (24g sugars, 0 fiber), 2g protein.

Originally published as Banana Nut Bars in Country Woman May/June 2003

Reviews

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Average Rating:

lvarner

Mar 1, 2015

These are yummy! I sometimes add coconut as well to the banana bar batter. When I have to take them somewhere that refrigeration may not be available (e.g., picnic, potluck), I will substitute buttercream icing for the cream cheese icing. I also like to sprinkle the bars with chopped pecans or walnuts after icing them.
luigimon

Apr 19, 2014

A new favorite! These are moist, delicious, frosting is perfect! Love these!
NJ64

Nov 4, 2012

I found this same recipe on the Taste of Home app and prepared the recipe from there. However it also listed a cake mix in the ingredients. If you are making this recipe from the app, do not add the cake mix in as it makes too much batter and the sugar content is way too high.
sweetcharity

Sep 4, 2011

These are absolutely wonderful!! They're also easy to make. I substitute 1/2 cup of canola oil in place of 1 stick of butter (so I use 1/2 cup canola oil and 1 stick butter in the batter) to make it a little "heart-healthier." It is not noticable--still very moist and good!
eye_lady

Oct 9, 2010

I made these for a large family party this summer. Loved by everyone, they were very tasty. The frosting was a bit thinner than I expected, even though it was refridgerated. I will add a bit more powdered sugar to it when I make it again, prhaps the humidity was a factor.
Hauldren

Jul 17, 2010

I just made this recipe earlier today and could not wait to write a review. The cake was moist and the frosting great. My family loved it so much that they are already requesting for me to make it again!
Brenda_Hess

Aug 12, 2009

I love Banana Nut Bars!Its a good way to use up old bananas. Belle
Danielleccl

Aug 7, 2009

My family and friends really loved these! They were so moist and yummy. The directions don't state when you're supposed to add the nuts but I omitted them anyway and substituted butterscotch chips. I will defenitely make these again! thanks so much for such a delicious recipe!
jane428

Jun 3, 2009

These bars were very good. Like them best when they are cold. Will make again.