Pumpkin Banana Bars With Cream Cheese Frosting
If you're looking for a delicious fall dessert recipe, look no further than these Pumpkin Banana Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting. Combining the flavors of two classic autumn ingredients, pumpkin and banana, these bars are the perfect treat for any occasion, from Thanksgiving dinner to a cozy night in with a cup of hot cocoa. Plus, with a moist and fluffy texture and a creamy, tangy frosting, these bars are sure to be a hit with everyone who tries them.
Ingredients
For the bars:
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1/2 cup pumpkin puree
- 1/2 cup mashed ripe banana (about 1 medium banana)
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup vegetable oil
- 1/4 cup plain Greek yogurt
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
For the cream cheese frosting:
- 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9-inch square baking pan with cooking spray.
2. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and cloves until well combined.
3. In a separate mixing bowl, whisk together the pumpkin puree, mashed banana, sugar, vegetable oil, Greek yogurt, eggs, and vanilla extract until well combined.
4. Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and mix until just combined, being careful not to overmix.
5. Pour the batter into the prepared baking pan and smooth it out with a spatula.
6. Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
7. Let the bars cool completely in the pan before making the cream cheese frosting.
8. In a medium mixing bowl, beat together the cream cheese, butter, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract until smooth and creamy.
9. Spread the frosting evenly over the cooled bars and slice into squares.
Tips
Here are a few tips to help you make the best Pumpkin Banana Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting:
- Make sure to use ripe bananas for the best flavor and texture.
- Don't overmix the batter, as this can cause the bars to become tough and dry.
- Let the bars cool completely before frosting them to prevent the frosting from melting or sliding off.
- For a stronger pumpkin flavor, you can increase the amount of pumpkin puree to 3/4 cup and decrease the amount of mashed banana to 1/4 cup.
Variations
If you'd like to switch things up with this recipe, here are a few variations to try:
- Add chopped nuts or chocolate chips to the batter for extra texture and flavor.
- Omit the cream cheese frosting and drizzle the bars with melted white or dark chocolate instead.
- Replace the pumpkin puree with sweet potato puree for a slightly different flavor.
- Add a teaspoon of pumpkin pie spice to the frosting for a spicier, more autumnal flavor.
Whether you stick to the classic recipe or try one of these variations, these Pumpkin Banana Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting are sure to be a hit with anyone who tries them. With their moist, fluffy texture and delicious blend of flavors, they're the perfect autumn dessert for any occasion. So why not whip up a batch today and enjoy the flavors of fall?