Banana Bars
These moist and tender Banana Bars are a banana lover’s dream! Bursting with sweet, ripe banana flavor and topped with a light and tangy cream cheese frosting, they strike the perfect balance of rich and refreshing. Whether you're baking for a potluck or just craving something sweet, these bars are always a hit!
Servings: 12 Servings
Ingredients
Banana Bars
- 2 cups all purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup butter, softened
- 1 ⅓ cups sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 4 medium ripe bananas, mashed
Cream Cheese Frosting
- 3 ounce cream cheese, softened
- ½ cup butter, softened
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 cups powdered sugar
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350° and spray a 15 x 10 jelly roll pan or a 13 x 9 baking dish with a non-stick spray. Set aside.
Banana Bars
- In a medium mixing bowl, beat butter and sugar together until creamy.
- Beat eggs, one at a time, into mixture.
- Add sour cream and vanilla, and mix well.
- Whisk flour, baking soda and salt in a small bowl, and stir into wet ingredients.
- Add mashed bananas, stir.
- Pour batter into a 15 x 10 jelly roll pan or a 13 x 9 baking dish.
- *If using a jelly roll pan, bake 22-27 minutes, or 35-40 minutes in a baking dish, or until a wooden toothpick comes out clean.
- Remove from the oven. Cool completely then frost.
Cream Cheese Frosting
- In a large mixing bowl, beat butter and cream cheese together.
- Add vanilla and mix.
- Slowly add powdered sugar and beat until creamy.
- Frost bars once cooled.
- Cut and enjoy!
Video
Notes
- Avoid overmixing: Stir the batter just until everything is combined to keep the bars soft and tender.
- Let them cool completely: Frosting warm bars will cause it to melt—make sure they’re fully cooled before spreading it on.
- Add-ins for extra flavor: Stir in chopped nuts like walnuts or pecans, mini chocolate chips, or a mix of both for added texture and sweetness.
- Switch up the frosting: Try a peanut butter or browned butter frosting, or add a touch of banana extract to buttercream for a fun twist.