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Soft & Chewy Banana Bars

Moist banana dessert bars topped with creamy frosting.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Servings: 16 bars
Course: Dessert, Snack
Cuisine: American, Autumn
Calories: 240

Ingredients
  

Batter
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • 0.5 tsp salt
  • 0.5 tsp cinnamon optional
  • 0.5 cup unsalted butter softened
  • 0.75 cup granulated sugar
  • 0.25 cup brown sugar packed
  • 2 eggs large
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 cup mashed ripe bananas
  • 0.5 cup sour cream or yogurt
Frosting
  • 4 oz cream cheese softened
  • 0.25 cup unsalted butter softened
  • 1.5 cups powdered sugar
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 pinch salt

Equipment

  • Mixing bowls
  • 9x13 baking pan
  • Wire rack
  • Hand mixer or stand mixer

Method
 

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line or grease a 9x13-inch pan.
  2. Whisk flour, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon together.
  3. Cream butter and sugars until light and fluffy.
  4. Beat in eggs and vanilla.
  5. Mix in mashed bananas and sour cream.
  6. Fold dry ingredients into wet mixture until just combined.
  7. Spread batter evenly in pan.
  8. Bake 22–28 minutes until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
  9. Cool completely on wire rack.
  10. Beat frosting ingredients until smooth and spread over cooled bars.

Notes

Use very ripe bananas for best sweetness and moisture.