Old-Fashioned Banana Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting
These Old-Fashioned Banana Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting are moist, tender, and bursting with ripe banana flavor topped with luscious frosting.
Equipment
- 9x9-inch baking pan
- Mixing Bowls
- Electric mixer or whisk
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Rubber spatula
- Fork or potato masher
- Cooling rack
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup light brown sugar packed
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup very ripe mashed banana
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1/3 cup canola oil or melted coconut oil
- 2 large eggs at room temperature
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 3/4 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 8 ounces full-fat cream cheese VERY soft
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter VERY soft
- 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
- 2 cups confectioners' sugar sifted
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease your 9x9 inch baking pan or line it with parchment paper for easy removal.
- In a large bowl, combine the light brown sugar, granulated sugar, and very ripe mashed bananas. Stir in the canola oil, eggs, and vanilla extract until the mixture is smooth and well blended.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt to evenly distribute the spices and leavening agents.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet banana mixture, folding gently with a rubber spatula just until combined. Be careful not to overmix.
- Pour the batter into your prepared pan and spread it out evenly. Bake for about 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan on a wire rack.
- Using an electric mixer or whisk, beat the very soft cream cheese and unsalted butter together until creamy and smooth. Add the vanilla extract, then gradually mix in the sifted confectioners’ sugar until the frosting reaches a spreadable consistency.
- Once the bars are fully cooled, spread the cream cheese frosting evenly over the top. Slice into squares and serve.
Notes
- Use very ripe bananas with brown spots for maximum sweetness and moisture.
- Avoid overmixing the batter to keep the bars tender, not dense.
- Store bars refrigerated due to cream cheese frosting; bring to room temperature before serving.
- Freeze unfrosted bars wrapped tightly for up to 2 months; frost after thawing.
- Substitute melted unsalted butter for oil for a richer, denser texture if desired.