Banana Bars

Craving something sweet but not too-too complicated to make? These banana bars are just the thing! Soft, packed with banana flavor and topped with a cream cheese frosting, they’re perfect for using up those ripe bananas that have been hanging out in the fruit bowl. Plus, you can mix and match toppings to make them a little different each time. Whether you stick with a classic frosting or try something new, these bars are sure to satisfy.

Ingredients for Banana Bars

• Butter: Softened butter adds richness and helps create a tender, moist crumb in these bars. Use unsalted butter to control the salt level, or adjust the added salt if salted butter is what you have available. Plant-based butter or coconut oil works too, for a dairy-free option.
• Sugar: White sugar provides the perfect amount of sweetness, bringing out the natural flavor of the bananas. Swap it with brown sugar for a richer, caramel-like taste.
• Eggs: Room-temperature eggs bind the ingredients together and contribute to the bars’ light, fluffy texture.
• Mashed ripe bananas: The star of this recipe, bananas are key to moist, flavorful bars. Use bananas that are good and ripe—they should have lots of brown spots for the best taste. (Need to ripen them fast? Don’t worry, we have tips for that below.)
• Vanilla extract: The vanilla adds warmth and depth to the bars, complementing the sweet bananas. For a different flavor, try almond extract.
• All-purpose flour: This flour provides structure, keeping the bars sturdy yet soft. For a heartier texture, use whole wheat flour, though the bars may be a bit dense.
• Baking soda: Baking soda helps the bars rise, giving them a fluffy and light texture. Ensure your baking soda is fresh to get the best lift.

Frosting:

• Cream cheese: Softened cream cheese makes the frosting creamy, tangy and smooth. It pairs perfectly with the sweet banana flavor of the bars.
• Butter: Softened butter adds richness and helps the frosting spread easily. For a lighter version, you can use less butter or replace it with cream cheese.
• Confectioners’ sugar: Also known as powdered sugar, confectioners’ sugar sweetens the frosting and gives it a smooth texture. Adjust the amount to taste for a thicker or thinner consistency.
• Vanilla extract: The vanilla adds a touch of warmth and brings out the sweetness of the frosting. You can swap with almond extract for a different twist.

Directions

Step 1: Mix the wet ingredients

Preheat the oven to 350°F. In a large bowl, cream the butter and sugar until light and fluffy, five to seven minutes. Add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each one. Stir in the mashed bananas and vanilla until everything is smooth.

Step 2: Add the dry ingredients

In another bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda and salt. Gradually add the dry mixture to the wet ingredients, stirring gently just until blended.

Editor’s Tip: Overmixing can lead to dense bars, so a light touch is best!

Step 3: Bake the bars

Transfer the batter to a greased 15x10x1-inch baking pan, smoothing the top. Bake for 2o to 25 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Let the bars cool completely in the pan on a wire rack before adding the frosting.

Step 4: Make the frosting

In a small bowl, beat the cream cheese and butter until fluffy. Add the confectioners’ sugar and vanilla, then beat until smooth. Frost the cooled bars.

Banana Bar Variations

• Add a crunch: Mix a cup of chopped walnuts or pecans into the batter for added texture. Nuts pair perfectly with the sweetness of the bananas.
• Make them gluten-free: Use a 1-to-1 gluten-free flour blend instead of all-purpose flour. It’s an easy swap that doesn’t change the flavor.
• Try different frostings: Cream cheese frosting is a classic, but you could also go with buttercream, chocolate ganache or peanut butter frosting for something different.

How to Store Banana Bars

Once your bars are completely cool, store them in an airtight container. If you’re stacking them, separate the layers with parchment paper to prevent sticking.

How long do banana bars last?

You can keep banana bars at room temperature in an airtight container for about two days, or in the fridge for up to five days. For longer storage, freeze them for up to three months.

Banana Bar Tips

How do you ripen bananas quickly?

To ripen bananas quickly, just pop your bananas in a paper bag, fold it closed and check in a day. The enclosed environment traps ethylene, the compound responsible for ripening bananas. For even better results, add an apple to the bag (it also releases ethylene). Don’t want to wait a day? You can ripen bananas in 15 minutes using an oven.

What are some alternatives to cream cheese frosting for this banana bars recipe?

It’s hard to go wrong with a creamy caramel frosting. Feeling a bit more adventurous? Be inspired by Elvis with a chocolate peanut butter frosting! Spread it over the bars, then sprinkle them with chopped peanuts or crumbled cooked bacon!

What other toppings can you add to banana bars?

Try your hand at a classic homemade chocolate ganache. Spread it over the top, then decorate with dried banana chips or chopped pecans. Or for the simplest topping of all, lightly dust the bars with confectioners’ sugar.