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–+ servings
cut banana bars with spreader.

Banana Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting

Lisa Riedl
These bars are soft, fluffy, and packed with banana flavor. Topped with a thick, creamy frosting, they’re the perfect sweet treat for any occasion!
5 from 6 votes
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Course Desserts
Cuisine American
Servings 24 bars
Calories 277 kcal

Equipment

Ingredients
  

Banana Bars

  • ½ cup butter, softened
  • 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
  • 2 eggs
  • ½ cup sour cream, room temperature
  • ½ cup buttermilk, room temperature
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • 4 medium overripe bananas, mashed

Cream Cheese Frosting:

  • ½ cup butter, softened
  • 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
  • 1 ½ teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 3 cups powdered sugar

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Instructions
 

To make the Banana Bars:

  • Preheat oven to 350°F Grease a 10 x 15" jelly roll pan. Set aside.
  • In a large bowl, cream together the butter and sugar until smooth. Beat in the eggs, one at a time and mix thoroughly. Stir in sour cream, buttermilk and vanilla.
    ½ cup butter,, 1 ½ cups granulated sugar, 2 eggs, ½ cup sour cream, , ½ cup buttermilk, , 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • Whisk together the flour, baking soda and salt in a small bowl; stir into the batter. Mix in the mashed banana. Spread evenly into the prepared pan.
    2 cups all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon baking soda, ¼ teaspoon salt, 4 medium overripe bananas, mashed
  • Bake for 20 to 25 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Allow bars to cool completely before frosting with the cream cheese frosting.

To make the Frosting:

  • Mix butter and cream cheese in medium bowl until smooth and creamy. Add vanilla and powdered sugar a cup at a time and mix until smooth. Thin with milk if necessary.
    ½ cup butter, , 8 ounces cream cheese, , 1 ½ teaspoons vanilla extract, 3 cups powdered sugar

Notes

Tips:
  • Use room temperature ingredients. Room temperature butter, eggs, sour cream and buttermilk cream together easily.
  • Use overripe bananas. Overripe bananas add moisture and sweetness to the banana bars. Bananas that aren't ripe enough aren't as sweet.
  • Use the right pan. A 15x10" jelly roll pan gives you the perfect ratio of bar to frosting.
Storage: 
  • Refrigerator - We love to eat these bars chilled. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Chilled bars also cut easier. 
  • Freezer - You can make a pan of these bars and freeze them for later. Wrap tightly and store in the freezer for up to three months. I often freeze them frosted but you can also freeze the bars unfrosted and frost them when you're ready to serve them. 
 

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Nutrition

Serving: 1barCalories: 277kcalCarbohydrates: 40gProtein: 3gFat: 12gSaturated Fat: 7gPolyunsaturated Fat: 4gCholesterol: 48mgSodium: 183mgFiber: 1gSugar: 29g

Nutrition info not guaranteed to be accurate.

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