Moist Banana Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting feature the gentle, sweet flavor of banana in a pillowy, soft cake-like bar topped with creamy and tangy frosting.
Banana Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting
Move over banana bread! These Banana Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting are the new favorite in town. These bars have all of your favorite flavors from banana bread with a little extra creamy, tangy sweetness on top.
Made with ripe bananas, these bars are loaded with banana flavor in a soft, cake-like bar and then topped with a simple homemade cream cheese frosting. It is super quick and easy to make, and the perfect dessert for any occasion or just because!
How to Quickly Ripen Bananas
If you have a couple of days, the most effective method is to place your bananas in a paper bag and roll up the top to seal. You can add an apple, apricot, avocado, or pear to help speed the process up even more.
If you only have a few minutes, there's still hope! If you're short on time, these microwave or oven methods will help you out! However, these methods only work on almost-ripe bananas, not very green ones.
Bake the bananas in their peels at 300°F, until their skins are completely brown, about 20 minutes.
Alternately, you can use the microwave. Pierce the banana peels all over with a fork. Then microwave them on high for 30 seconds at a time, until they reach the desired softness.
Can I Use Frozen Bananas?
Yes, you can, but they need to be thawed first. To thaw, simply place frozen bananas in the refrigerator overnight or on the counter for a few hours before using them. Once thawed, they should be mashed as usual.
Why is My Cream Cheese Frosting Gritty?
Generally, this just means it hasn't been mixed enough for the powdered sugar to fully incorporate yet. If your frosting is still gritty, just beat for a couple more minutes until it's smooth and creamy.
Banana Bars Recipe Variations
Bananas go well with so many other flavors, it's easy to change these up and make them your own.
- Nuts - Chopped walnuts or pecans can be added into the cake batter or sprinkled on top of the frosting for garnish
- Chocolate chips - Chocolate and bananas go together like peanut butter and jelly! Add some chocolate chips or mini chocolate chips to the batter or sprinkle on top.
- Baking chips - Pick any of baking chip and use them the same as the chocolate chips. Some flavors to consider are peanut butter, caramel, butterscotch, or cinnamon.
- Frosting - Choose a bolder frosting flavor for something extra special, such as this super decadent caramel frosting or this fresh strawberry buttercream.
Can I Freeze Banana Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting?
Yes! These bars can be frozen with or without frosting using the same method.
Cut the bars before freezing. Space them out on a lined baking sheet, or multiple sheets if necessary, without touching. Freeze flat for at least 2 hours. Once frozen wrap tightly in plastic wrap and foil, and freeze for up to 3 to 5 months.
To thaw, lay flat and allow to thaw in the refrigerator. Allow to come to room temperature for 30 minutes before serving.
More Recipes to Make with Ripe Bananas
- Chocolate Banana Cake - Super moist and rich chocolate banana cake with the best chocolate frosting you've ever had.
- Nutella Banana Muffins - Soft and sweet banana muffins with Nutella swirled right into the top!
- No Bake Banana Pudding - Creamy pudding with soft vanilla wafers and sweet bananas topped with light and fluffy whipped cream.
- Banana Cream Pie - A super simple version of a classic! Creamy pudding filling with real, ripe and sweet bananas in a buttery, flaky crust with whipped cream on top!
- Blueberry Banana French Toast Bake - A fresh but sweet breakfast casserole featuring fresh bananas and blueberries.
Banana Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting Video
Banana Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting
Ingredients
Banana Bars
- ½ cup unsalted butter room temperature
- 1½ cups granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup sour cream
- 2 large very ripe bananas mashed
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Cream Cheese Frosting
- 8 ounces cream cheese softened
- ½ cup unsalted butter room temperature
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- ⅛ teaspoon salt
- 4 cups powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoons heavy whipping cream
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F.
- Grease a large baking sheet (15"x10"x1"). Set aside.
- In a large mixing bowl, cream together butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
- Add eggs, sour cream, bananas, and vanilla and mix well.
- In a separate mixing bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, and salt.
- Add flour mixture to wet ingredients and mix until just incorporated. Some lumps are okay.
- Pour batter evenly into prepared baking sheet. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes or until an inserted toothpick comes out clean. Allow to cool.
- Meanwhile, in a large bowl, beat cream cheese, butter, vanilla, and salt until fluffy.
- Gradually beat in enough confectioners' sugar.
- Add whipping cream and continue beating until frosting is completely smooth and creamy (no longer gritty or grainy).
- When bars are cooled completely, frost with cream cheese frosting.
- Cut into bars and serve.
Notes
- Storage: Once the banana bars are frosted, they need to be refrigerated due to the cream cheese in the frosting. Store covered in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Allow to come to room temperature for 30 minutes before serving for best results.
- Freezer: Cut the bars before freezing. Space them out on a lined baking sheet, or multiple sheets if necessary, without touching. Freeze flat for at least 2 hours. Once frozen wrap tightly in plastic wrap and foil, and freeze for up to 3 to 5 months. To thaw, lay flat and allow to thaw in the refrigerator. Allow to come to room temperature for 30 minutes before serving.
Nutrition
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