Best Banana Bars With Cream Cheese Frosting
If you're a fan of all things banana and cream cheese, then you'll definitely love these Best Banana Bars With Cream Cheese Frosting. These tasty treats are perfect for breakfast, snack, dessert, or anything in between. They only require a few basic ingredients that you probably already have in your pantry, so you can whip them up anytime you want.
Ingredients
- 1¾ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup mashed ripe bananas (about 2 medium bananas)
- ½ cup buttermilk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 8 oz. cream cheese, softened
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- 4 cups powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F. Grease and flour a 9x13-inch baking pan and set aside.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
- In a large mixing bowl, cream the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add the eggs, one at a time, and beat well after each addition. Beat in the mashed bananas.
- Add the dry ingredients to the banana mixture in three parts, alternating with the buttermilk and vanilla. Mix until just combined.
- Pour the batter into the prepared pan and smooth the top with a spatula. Bake for 20-25 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- While the bars are cooling, prepare the cream cheese frosting. In a large mixing bowl, beat the cream cheese and butter until light and fluffy. Add the powdered sugar and vanilla, and beat until smooth and creamy.
- Once the bars are completely cooled, spread the cream cheese frosting over the top. Cut into squares and serve.
Variations
If you want to switch things up, here are some variations you can try:
- Add chopped nuts, such as pecans or walnuts, to the batter before baking.
- Drizzle caramel or chocolate sauce over the cream cheese frosting for an extra decadent dessert.
- Add a pinch of cinnamon or nutmeg to the batter for a warm and cozy flavor.
- Substitute half of the mashed bananas with pumpkin puree for a festive fall treat.
- Replace the cream cheese frosting with a simple vanilla glaze made from powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract.
Conclusion
These Best Banana Bars With Cream Cheese Frosting are incredibly moist, flavorful, and easy to make. They're perfect for any occasion or as a quick snack to satisfy your sweet tooth. The cream cheese frosting adds a tangy and creamy element to the bars, making them even more irresistible. So why not give them a try and let us know how they turn out?