Banana Bars Recipe

A slice of frosted banana bars on a white plate.

5 from 32 votes

Banana Bars Recipe

If you like bananas, you'll LOVE these frosted Banana Bars. Tender, delicious, and perfect for a crowd, they're irresistible!

Prep Time5

Cook Time25

Total Time30

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: American

Servings:

Author: Kristyn Merkley

Ingredients

1 cup unsalted butter softened
1½ cups sugar
1 teaspoon baking soda
½ teaspoon salt
1½ cups mashed overripe bananas about 3 bananas
2 eggs
1 cup sour cream
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 cups all-purpose flour

Cream Cheese Frosting

1 8-ounce package cream cheese, softened
½ cup unsalted butter softened
2 cups powdered sugar
½ teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 350°F.
In a large mixing bowl, beat butter with a hand mixer for about 30 seconds. Add sugar, baking soda, and salt and beat until combined. Add mashed bananas, eggs, sour cream, and vanilla and mix to combine. Add flour and mix to combine.
Pour into a greased 11-x-15-inch baking dish and spread evenly.
Bake for 25–30 minutes. Let cool in the pan.
While the bars cool, make the frosting. In a medium bowl, beat cream cheese and butter with a hand mixer until smooth. Beat in powdered sugar and vanilla and mix until combined.
Spread frosting over cooled bars and cut into squares.

Video

Notes

Recipe Tips.

Bananas: Use very ripe bananas for the best flavor and sweetness.
Tender Bars: Do not overmix the batter to keep the bars soft.
Perfectly Frosted: Let bars cool completely before frosting.
Quick Clean Up: Line the pan with parchment for easier removal.
Ripen Bananas Faster: Place the bananas in a brown paper bag with an apple. Fold the top over and let it sit on the counter until ripe. Use the oven: Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line a baking tray with parchment paper. Line the unpeeled bananas on the sheet. Bake for about 15 minutes or until evenly browned and soft.
Decorating: Top with banana slices. Do not put them on too early because the bananas will get brown.
Variations: Top with chopped walnuts, Caramel Syrup, chocolate chips, chocolate shavings, sprinkles, or berries.

Make ahead of time. Make the bars and cover. Frost before serving. They are good at room temperature for 5 days, but can be stored in the fridge for up to 7 days.

Store unfrosted. We suggest freezing the bars unfrosted, then frosting when ready to serve

Store frosted. Keep unfrosted Banana Bars at room temperature, but frosted ones need to be stored in the refrigerator. Store them covered with plastic wrap or in an airtight container for up to 5 days.

Nutrition