BANANA BARS with CREAM CHEESE FROSTING
The recipe is super easy to make and one that my kids love helping with! Kids make great banana mashers! Watch the video below the recipe to see the full tutorial!
Banana Bar Recipe Ingredients
For the Banana Bars
- ½ cup Butter, softened
- 2 Cups Sugar
- 3 Eggs
- 1.5 Cups Mashed Bananas (about 3 Medium Bananas)
- 1 tsp Vanilla Extract
- 2 Cups All-Purpose Flour
- 1 tsp Baking Soda
- Dash of Salt
HOW TO MAKE FROSTED BANANA BARS
FINISH WITH CREAM CHEESE FROSTING
In my honest opinion, it’s a MUST to finish these Banana Bars off with a Cream Cheese Frosting! But, you can ommit this step if you desire! My Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe is super simple and just takes a few ingredients and 5 minutes to make!!
BANANA BAR STORAGE
Store the unfrosted banana bars at room temperature. Once they’ve been frosted, you will need to store them in the refrigerator covered. They will last up to 5 days.
CAN BANANA BARS BE FROZEN?
Yes!! Before freezing them, wrap them tightly in saran wrap and then In tin foil and put them in the freezer. You can freeze them for up to 2 months. Before serving them, allow them to thaw in the refrigerator.
Banana Bars Recipe FAQs
Oh, the age-old banana dilemma! We’ve all been there – a bunch of bananas sitting on the counter, getting riper and spottier by the day. But fear not! Those overripe bananas are pure gold in the kitchen. Here’s what you can do with them:
Banana Bars (Obviously!): This is what brought you here, isn’t it? My banana bar recipe transforms those mushy bananas into a sweet, moist, and flavorful treat.
Smoothie Boost: Toss an overripe banana into your blender for an instant sweetness and creaminess upgrade in your morning smoothie.
Banana Bread/Muffins: The classic go-to. The riper the banana, the sweeter and more flavorful your bread or muffins will be. Consider trying this Sour Cream Banana Bread!
Freeze ‘Em: Peel and slice your bananas, then pop them into a freezer bag. They’ll be ready and waiting for smoothies, ice creams, or just as a chilled snack.
Pancake Upgrade: Mash up an overripe banana and mix it into your pancake batter for an extra layer of sweetness and moisture.
Great question! Overripe bananas are fantastic for many recipes due to their increased sweetness and soft texture. However, there are some situations where they might not be the best choice:
Banana Chips: If you’re trying to make dried banana chips, overripe bananas might not yield the best results because they contain more moisture and can become too sticky.
In Dishes Where Texture Matters: In certain recipes, the firm texture of a just-ripe banana is essential. For instance, if you’re adding banana pieces to a cold salad, overripe bananas would be too mushy.
Banana Decoration: If you’re using bananas as part of a decorative element, say on a cake or a dish, then overripe bananas might not be visually appealing.
Absolutely, cream cheese frosting needs to be refrigerated. The primary reason is safety; cream cheese frosting contains dairy, which can allow harmful bacteria to grow if left at room temperature for extended periods. In general, it’s safe to leave it out for up to 2 hours, but beyond that, there’s a risk of foodborne illnesses. Also, the texture and consistency of the frosting are better preserved when chilled. If left out, especially in a warm environment, it might become too soft or runny. Keeping your cream cheese frosting (and any desserts topped with it) in the fridge ensures it stays fresh. Storing the frosting in an airtight container allows it to last up to a week.
Banana Bar Recipe
Ingredients
Banana Bars
- ½ cup butter softened
- 2 cups sugar
- 3 eggs
- 1 ½ cups mashed ripe bananas about 3 medium
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 tsp Salt
Instructions
Banana Bars
- In a large mixing bowl, cream together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
- Put your bananas in a bowl and mash them with a fork.
- Beat the eggs, bananas, and vanilla into the butter/sugar mixture.
- Combine the flour, baking soda, and salt in a separate bowl.
- Stir the flour mixture into the creamed mixture just until fully blended.
- Transfer the batter to a greased 15-in. x 10-in. x 1-in. baking pan.
- Bake at 350° for 20-25 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. Allow it to cool in the pan.
Cream Cheese Frosting
- For the recipe and tutorial visit: https://overthebigmoon.com/cream-cheese-frosting/
Video
Notes
Nutrition
This really is such a great dessert! The sheet pan is generally licked clean within 24 hours of making them!
I hope you guys love them as much as we do!
You guys are gonna love this recipe and it will be one that you make time and time again!
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If you’ve tried this recipe, I’d love it if you’d comment and rate the recipe! I love to hear feedback and answer questions!
Make sure to pin this post for later too! Thanks, friends! Have a great day!
Ruth
Hello,
I’ve been trying to get the recipe for the cream cheese frosting on these banana bars, and I can’t find it.
The video keeps going to other recipes.
Thanks, Ruth Kattke
Pam Dana
So sorry about that! The recipe is linked during the written instructions. Here is the direct link for you too: https://overthebigmoon.com/cream-cheese-frosting/. Thank you!
Jess
These bars have become a staple in my household! all my friends ask for them, and I cannot get enough! thank you so much for sharing this amazing recipe!
Pam Dana
I’m so glad you love the recipe!!
Samantha
These frosted banana bars reminded me of a dessert my mom made when I was a kid. They were easy to make and so yummy. And the frosting was to die for!
Pam Dana
Same! My Grandma made something similar, which is what inspired this recipe!
Kristyn
We make these once a month, it seems like! I love taking them to any kind of gathering, because it can make a lot & they are always a hit!! They are so moist & delicious!!
Pam Dana
They’re perfect for potluck for sure!! Everyone always loves them! Thanks for the nice comment!
Katie Campbell
Hi! Is this an updated recipe? I had found your recipe through Pinterest a few months ago (I think) and made it. It was perfection!
I want to make it again and looked at my Pinterest Pin. The picture on Pinterest looks like what I made in the past, but the pictures on your blog look different (the bars are thinner and have sprinkling ontop). Hope that makes sense. Thank you!
lauren kelly
These look so dreamy! I am going to surprise my youngest with these, he loves bananas!
Aimee Shugarman
We love banana bars, my family really enjoyed this recipe!
Liz
I love bar cookies! They are so easy to make! I love the addition of bananas in these!
Alli
These bars didn’t last long at our house. Omg so good.
Katerina @ diethood .com
My family would LOVE these! They are faaantastic!!! YUM!
Dorrian Thornton Horsey
Made these today with my children. Great recipe and they loved it. I reduced the sugar by about a quarter cup and will likely reduce it even more next time. A bit sweet for our taste but yummy with the tang of the cream cheese icing. Love your site and thanks for sharing this recipe!
Dorrian Thornton Horsey
Made these today with my children. Great recipe and they loved it. I reduced the sugar by about a quarter cup and will likely reduce it even more next time. A bit sweet for our taste but yummy with the tang of the cream cheese icing. Love your site and thanks for sharing this recipe!