Banana Bars Recipe With Brown Butter Frosting
If you're anything like me, you have a love affair with all things banana-flavored. From banana bread to banana pudding, I simply can't resist the sweet and creamy taste of ripe bananas. That's why I'm excited to share with you my recipe for banana bars with brown butter frosting. This is the perfect way to use up bananas that are getting a little too brown for your taste, and the brown butter frosting adds an extra layer of richness that will make your taste buds sing.
Ingredients
For the banana bars:
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 4 large eggs
- 2 cups mashed ripe bananas (about 4 bananas)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
For the brown butter frosting:
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, cut into pieces
- 4 cups powdered sugar
- 1/4 cup milk
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Instructions
1. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Grease a 9x13 inch baking pan.
2. In a large mixing bowl, cream together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
3. Add the eggs, mashed bananas, and vanilla extract to the bowl, and mix until everything is well combined.
4. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt.
5. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined.
6. Pour the batter into the prepared baking pan, and smooth it out with a spatula.
7. Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the bars comes out clean.
8. While the bars are baking, prepare the brown butter frosting. In a medium saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Continue cooking the butter, stirring occasionally, until it turns a light brown color and smells nutty.
9. Remove the browned butter from the heat, and transfer it to a heatproof bowl. Add the powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract, and whisk until the frosting is smooth and creamy.
10. Once the banana bars are done baking, let them cool completely before frosting them with the brown butter frosting. Cut the bars into squares before serving.
Tips
If you don't have any ripe bananas on hand, you can ripen them quickly by placing them in a paper bag with an apple or a tomato. The ethylene gas from the other fruit will speed up the ripening process.
If you're not a fan of brown butter, you can make a traditional cream cheese frosting instead. Simply beat together 8 ounces of cream cheese, 1/4 cup of butter, 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract, and 3 cups of powdered sugar until smooth.
Conclusion
There you have it, my recipe for banana bars with brown butter frosting. These bars are moist, flavorful, and perfect for any occasion. Whether you're looking for a sweet treat to enjoy on your own or you're baking for a crowd, this recipe is sure to be a hit.
