Banana Bread Bars With Brown Butter Icing
Who doesn't love a good slice of banana bread? It's sweet, comforting, and always hits the spot. But what if I told you that there was a way to take your banana bread to the next level? That's right, we're talking about banana bread bars with brown butter icing.
Ingredients
For the banana bread bars:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 4 ripe bananas, mashed
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
For the brown butter icing:
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2-4 tablespoons milk
Instructions
1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9x13 inch baking pan with cooking spray or butter.
2. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
3. In a large bowl, cream the butter and sugar together until light and fluffy. Beat in the eggs, one at a time, then stir in the mashed bananas. Add the sour cream and vanilla extract, and mix until well combined.
4. Gradually mix in the dry ingredients until just combined. Pour the batter into the prepared pan and smooth out the top.
5. Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
6. While the banana bread bars are baking, make the brown butter icing. In a small saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Continue to cook the butter, swirling the pan occasionally, until it turns a golden brown color and smells nutty. Remove from heat and let cool for a few minutes.
7. In a medium bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and brown butter. Add milk, one tablespoon at a time, until the icing is smooth and pourable.
8. When the banana bread bars are done, let them cool in the pan for a few minutes. Pour the icing over the top of the bars and spread it out evenly with a spatula.
9. Let the icing set for at least 30 minutes before slicing and serving, or you risk the icing melting and becoming a gooey mess.
Tips
1. Use ripe bananas. The riper the better, as they will add more flavor and sweetness to the bars.
2. Make sure your butter is at room temperature for the banana bread bars. This will make it easier to cream with the sugar.
3. Don't overmix the batter. You want the banana bread bars to be tender and moist, not tough and dry.
4. If you don't have any sour cream on hand, you can substitute plain Greek yogurt instead.
5. When making the brown butter icing, be careful not to burn the butter. It can go from browned to burnt very quickly.
Conclusion
These banana bread bars with brown butter icing are the perfect way to change up your usual banana bread routine. The bars themselves are tender, moist, and full of banana flavor, while the brown butter icing takes them to the next level with its nutty, caramel-like flavor.
With a few simple ingredients and some easy steps, you can have a delicious and unique dessert that will impress your friends and family. Give these banana bread bars with brown butter icing a try, and you won't be disappointed!