Banana Bars
it's time to indulge in these tasty Banana Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting! The combination of the moist banana bars and the rich, tangy cream cheese frosting is irresistible. These bars can be served as a dessert after a meal or enjoyed with a cup of coffee or tea as a delightful snack. They're also great for parties, potlucks, or any occasion you want to treat yourself and your loved ones to a special homemade dessert. So gather your ingredients, preheat your oven, and get ready to savor the heavenly flavors of these delicious banana bars. Enjoy!
Ingredients
For the Banana Bars, gather these ingredients:
- ½ cup butter softened
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 3 large eggs at room temperature
- 1 ½ cups mashed ripe bananas (about 3 medium bananas)
- ¾ cup sour cream
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking soda
- ⅛ tsp salt
For the cream cheese frosting, gather these ingredients:
- 1 package (8 ounces) of cream cheese softened
- ½ cup butter softened
- 4 cups powdered sugar
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F and grease a 17.9x12.9x1-inch cookie sheet.
- In a large bowl, cream the softened butter and sugar until light and fluffy, about 5-7 minutes of mixing.
- Beat in the eggs, mashed bananas, sour cream, and vanilla extract until well combined and smooth.
- Whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt in a separate bowl. Gradually add this dry mixture to the creamed mixture, stirring until blended. Avoid overmixing.
- Transfer the batter to the greased baking sheet, spreading it evenly.
- Bake in the oven for 20-25 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes clean. The bars should have a golden brown color and a slightly springy texture.
- Once baked, remove the pan from the oven and place it on a wire rack to cool completely. Ensure that the bars are completely cooled before frosting.
- While the bars are cooling, prepare the cream cheese frosting. In a small bowl, beat the softened cream cheese and butter until fluffy and well combined.
- Gradually add the confectioners' sugar, one cup at a time, beating well after each addition to achieve a smooth and creamy frosting.
- Stir in the vanilla extract until the frosting is thoroughly mixed.
- Once the bars are cooled, frost them with the cream cheese frosting, spreading it evenly over the top.
- For added decoration, garnish the bars with sliced bananas or a sprinkle of cinnamon, if desired.