Indulge in the irresistible combination of soft, moist banana bars topped with a rich, nutty browned butter frosting. These bars are perfect for dessert, a snack, or even a sweet breakfast treat. The natural sweetness of ripe bananas paired with the unique flavor of browned butter creates a delightful treat that’s sure to please. With optional walnuts for a bit of crunch, these bars are easy to make and a fantastic way to use up overripe bananas.
Ingredients
For the Banana Bread Bars:
- 1 ½ cups sugar
- 1 cup sour cream
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- 2 large eggs
- 1 ¾ cups mashed bananas (about 3-4 ripe bananas)
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ¾ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup chopped walnuts (optional)
For the Browned Butter Frosting:
- ½ cup unsalted butter
- 3 3/4 cups powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- About 3 tablespoons milk or half-and-half
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 10×15-inch jelly roll pan or a 9×13-inch baking dish if you prefer thicker bars.
- Mix Wet Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the sugar, sour cream, and softened butter. Beat until smooth. Stir in the eggs, mashed bananas, and vanilla extract, blending everything together until fully incorporated.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. Slowly incorporate the dry ingredients into the banana mixture, stirring until everything is just blended.
- Add Walnuts (Optional): Fold in the chopped walnuts if desired.
- Bake the Bars: Pour the batter into the prepared baking pan, spreading it evenly. Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Once done, take the pan out of the oven and let the bars cool completely in the pan.
- Prepare the Browned Butter Frosting: In a small saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Keep cooking the butter until it turns golden brown and releases a nutty fragrance, which should take about 3-5 minutes. Be sure to monitor it closely to prevent burning. Once done, remove from heat and allow the browned butter to cool slightly. In a mixing bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar, vanilla, and browned butter. Add milk or half-and-half, one tablespoon at a time, until the frosting reaches a smooth, spreadable consistency.
- Frost the Bars: Spread the browned butter frosting over the cooled banana bars. Allow the frosting to set slightly before cutting into squares.
Conclusion:
These Banana Bars with Browned Butter Frosting are a delightful way to enjoy the flavor of banana bread in a convenient, frosted bar form. The browned butter frosting adds a unique, rich flavor that perfectly complements the moist banana base. These bars are easy to make and perfect for sharing at gatherings or enjoying with a cup of coffee. Each bite is sweet, nutty, and sure to please!
Moist Banana Bars with Browned Butter Frosting
Soft and moist banana bars topped with a richbrowned butter frosting—a perfect dessert for banana lovers.
Ingredients
For the Banana Bread Bars:
- 1 ½ cups sugar
- 1 cup sour cream
- ½ cup unsalted butter softened
- 2 large eggs
- 1 ¾ cups mashed bananas about 3-4 ripe bananas
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ¾ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup chopped walnuts optional
For the Browned Butter Frosting:
- ½ cup unsalted butter
- 3 3/4 cups powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- About 3 tablespoons milk or half-and-half
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 10×15-inch jelly roll pan or a 9×13-inch baking dish if you prefer thicker bars.
- Mix Wet Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the sugar, sour cream, and softened butter. Beat until smooth. Stir in the eggs, mashed bananas, and vanilla extract, blending everything together until fully incorporated.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. Slowly incorporate the dry ingredients into the banana mixture, stirring until everything is just blended.
- Add Walnuts (Optional): Fold in the chopped walnuts if desired.
- Bake the Bars: Pour the batter into the prepared baking pan, spreading it evenly. Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Once done, take the pan out of the oven and let the bars cool completely in the pan.
- Prepare the Browned Butter Frosting: In a small saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Keep cooking the butter until it turns golden brown and releases a nutty fragrance, which should take about 3-5 minutes. Be sure to monitor it closely to prevent burning. Once done, remove from heat and allow the browned butter to cool slightly. In a mixing bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar, vanilla, and browned butter. Add milk or half-and-half, one tablespoon at a time, until the frosting reaches a smooth, spreadable consistency.
- Frost the Bars: Spread the browned butter frosting over the cooled banana bars. Allow the frosting to set slightly before cutting into squares.