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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.
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.