Black-Bottom Banana Bars
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
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup butter, softened
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 large egg
- 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
Reviews
This has been a family favorite for years. I have never added the cocoa because it was an extra step that didn't appeal to me. I love to make two of these, and then layer them with cream cheese frosting between and on top for a yummy banana cake. Yes, very moist for sure!
My favorite use of overripe bananas. Always a hit, the only change I make is to double the ingredients for a 9x13 and reduce the sugar a bit.
I made no changes at all to the recipe. I was distracted while dividing the batter, so my layers came out a little closer to even. Doesn't matter. They're delicious. They're not super sweet, and they've got fruit, so they're great for breakfast as well as dessert! I made a single pan, but the next time I make them, I will double it, because they went fast.
So glad I tried these despite the most recent review that was posted. Because of that review I did add to the recipe. Decreased flour to 1cup added 1/2cup quick oats. After dividing batter added 1/2tsp allspice and 1 cup choc chips to the banana batter before layering with cocoa batter. Its a keeper!
I was looking for a new way to use "old bananas" and this is NOT it. These are boring and non-exceptional to say the least. They DO stay moist, I will give them that, but I would guess that a variety of additions as suggested by other readers are a definite need.
I too have been making these bars for years. A great recipe to use up bananas. I did change the recipe a little. I eliminated the cocoa and added a half cup of mini semi chocolate chips. To divide the batter was time consuming for me.
Delicious. Light and fluffy. Made exactly as stated. Yummy!
This is an awesome cake, been baking it for over 15 years and it's a family favorite. I brought it in to work today and everyone is going crazy over it, lol. It's a winner even after all these years!
It's didn't seem enough batter for a 13x9 pan so I used a 9x9 pan. I added 1/2 c chocolate chips to the top and 3 minutes more to the baking time. Delicious! Yes, more cake texture than brownie.
Fluffy and so easy to make. My 2-yr-old daughter helped mix it all together and we enjoyed the results! ;) recommended for any quick snack cake