You’ll go nuts for these Banana Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting… and not just because they have crunchy pecans mixed in! The creamy, fruity banana flavor is infused into each bite of the tender cake, and is accented by the warm aroma of cinnamon. Meanwhile, all over the top is a creamy, luscious, tangy cream cheese frosting that makes each bar delectable and desirable. Oh yes, Banana Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting are perfect for sharing or for keeping all to yourself!
Ingredients
For the banana bars:
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 eggs
- 1/3 cup milk
- 2 small ripe bananas, mashed, about 1/2 cup, plus more, to taste, sliced, for topping
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
- 1/2 cups pecans, optional, finely chopped
For the cream cheese frosting:
- 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- salt, to taste
- 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
Directions
Step 1 –Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
Step 2 –Grease a 9×13-inch pan.
Step 3 –Mix the flour, the baking soda, the cinnamon, and 1/2 teaspoon of the salt in a bowl.
Step 4 –In a bowl, cream 1/2 cup of the butter and the granulated sugar together with a hand mixer until fluffy.
Step 5 –Add the eggs, the milk, 1/2 cup of the mashed banana, and the lemon juice to the butter mixture and mix well.
Step 6 –Stir the flour mixture and the pecans into the banana mixture until combined.
Step 7 –Spread the batter into the prepared pan.
Step 8 –Bake the banana mixture until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, about 20-25 minutes.
Step 9 –Allow the banana bars to cool completely.
Step 10 –In a bowl, beat the cream cheese and the remaining butter with a hand mixer until fluffy.
Step 11 –Mix the vanilla and the remaining salt into the cream cheese mixture.
Step 12 –Add the powdered sugar, a little at a time, to the frosting mixture until incorporated.
Step 13 –Spread the cream cheese frosting over the cooled banana bars.
Step 14 –Slice, top with the sliced bananas, and serve.
