Banana Bread Bars

A slice of banana bread bar on a white plate.

These banana bread bars are soft and moist, topped with rich cream cheese frosting. They’re an easy dessert to make and a great way to use up ripe bananas.

Course Dessert

Cuisine American

Diet Vegetarian

Prep Time 10

Cook Time 30

Cooling time 30

Total Time 1 10

Servings pieces

Calories 213kcal

Author Jessy Freimann

Equipment

Ingredients

Banana Bars

Cooking spray
1 cup flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
½ teaspoon baking soda
¾ teaspoon ground cinnamon
¼ teaspoon ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
1 cup ripe bananas, peeled (around 2 medium bananas)
1 cup granulated sugar
2 large eggs
⅓ cup vegetable oil
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Cream Cheese Frosting

4 ounces cream cheese frosting softened
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
⅓ cup butter, softened
2 cups confectioner's sugar

Instructions

Banana Bars

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Spray a 9" x 13" pan with cooking spray and line with parchment, allowing some extra parchment to stick up over the sides. Set aside.
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon and salt. Set aside.
In a large bowl, whip together the bananas to break them down.
Add sugar, eggs, oil and vanilla and mix until well combined.
With the mixer on low, gradually blend in the dry ingredients until just combined and pour into the prepared pan. Use a spatula to smooth the batter into an even layer.
Bake for 25-30 minutes until a toothpick comes out clean and cool completely.

Cream cheese frosting

While the bars cool, mix cream cheese, vanilla and butter until well combined.
Gradually mix in the confectioner's sugar until everything is smooth. Spread the frosting over the cooled bars, cut into 12 pieces and serve.

Video

Notes

Line the pan with parchment. Let a little hang over the sides so you can lift the bars out easily for slicing.
Mix the dry ingredients first. Having them ready makes it easier to add them to the batter all at once.
Use a mixer for the bananas. It breaks them down quickly, and you'll need the mixer for the rest of the batter anyway.
Use softened cream cheese. This helps the frosting mix smoothly without lumps.
Cool completely before frosting. If the bars are still warm, the frosting can melt.
Ingredients to prep ahead- Let the cream cheese and butter sit at room temperature before making the frosting for easier mixing.
Leftovers and storage- Store covered in the refrigerator for 3-4 days, or freeze for up to 3 months.

Nutrition