Description
These ultra-moist Banana Bars are topped with fluffy cream cheese frosting and make the perfect treat for banana bread lovers. Easy to prepare and ideal for parties, potlucks, or a sweet snack.
Ingredients
Scale
- 8 tablespoons (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup sour cream
- 2 large eggs
- Cooking spray
- 2 medium or 3 small ripe bananas (mashed, about 1 cup)
- 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
- 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 8 ounces full-fat cream cheese, softened
- 8 tablespoons (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened (for frosting)
- 2 1/2 cups powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (for frosting)
- 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt (for frosting)
- 20 banana chips (optional, for topping)
Instructions
- Let the butter, sour cream, and eggs sit at room temperature. Preheat oven to 350ºF. Coat a 9×13-inch pan with cooking spray and line with parchment paper.
- In a medium bowl, mash bananas until mostly smooth (about 1 cup).
- In a mixing bowl, beat butter and sugar on medium speed until fluffy, about 2–3 minutes.
- Add eggs one at a time, beating after each. Beat in sour cream, vanilla, and salt.
- Sprinkle baking soda over the batter. Add flour and mix on low until almost combined.
- Add mashed bananas and beat until just mixed.
- Spread batter into the prepared pan and bake for 30–35 minutes, or until golden and a tester comes out clean.
- Cool completely in the pan on a wire rack for 1.5 to 2 hours.
- In a clean bowl, beat cream cheese and butter until fluffy, about 3 minutes.
- Add powdered sugar, vanilla, and salt. Mix on low to combine, then beat on medium-high for 3 more minutes until fluffy.
- Remove bars from the pan using the parchment paper sling. Discard the paper and spread frosting evenly over the cooled bars.
- Cut into 20 squares and top with banana chips if using.
Notes
- Make sure the bars are completely cooled before frosting to prevent melting.
- Banana chips add a nice crunch and decorative touch but are optional.
- Store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 290
- Sugar: 27g
- Sodium: 160mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 39g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 45mg