Banana Nut Bars

Total Time

Prep: 15 min. Bake: 20 min.

Makes

3 dozen

Updated: Oct. 02, 2022
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

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