Makeover Frosted Banana Bars

Total Time

Prep: 15 min. Bake: 20 min. + cooling

Makes

3 dozen

Updated: Oct. 23, 2022
I've made these banana bars many times, always with favorable comments and requests for the recipe. With this makeover, you don't have to be shy about grabbing seconds of this treat! —Susan Stuff, Mercersburg, Pennsylvania

Ingredients

  • 3 tablespoons butter, softened
  • 1-1/2 cups sugar
  • 2 eggs
  • 1-1/2 cups mashed ripe bananas (about 3 medium)
  • 1/4 cup unsweetened applesauce
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • Dash salt
  • FROSTING:
  • 1 package (8 ounces) reduced-fat cream cheese
  • 1/3 cup butter, softened
  • 3 cups confectioners' sugar
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Directions

  1. In a large bowl, beat butter and sugar until crumbly, about 2 minutes. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in the bananas, applesauce and vanilla. Combine the flour, baking soda and salt; stir into butter mixture just until blended.
  2. Transfer to a 15x10x1-in. baking pan coated with cooking spray. Bake at 350° for 20-25 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool in pan on a wire rack.
  3. For frosting, in a small bowl, beat cream cheese and butter until fluffy. Add confectioners' sugar and vanilla; beat until smooth. Frost bars. Refrigerate leftovers.

Nutrition Facts

1 each: 149 calories, 4g fat (3g saturated fat), 23mg cholesterol, 89mg sodium, 26g carbohydrate (19g sugars, 0 fiber), 2g protein.