Banana Bars

Banana Bars topped with cream cheese frosting and so soft and tender! A trusted family favorite and trusted comfort food treat. This banana bar recipe is no fail and always a hit no matter where you bring it or who you share them with! If you are wondering what to do with your over ripe bananas on the counter this is the answer!

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The BEST Banana Bars!

These banana bars topped with cream cheese frosting are a long-time family favorite. I mean, what’s not to love? Tender banana cake with cream cheese frosting is a match made in heaven! These tender banana cake bars are always the first dessert to disappear when I make them and it’s probably one of the most requested sweet treats I get from my family right along with my famous Banana Bread!

I think my hubby has been asking me to make a batch of these banana bars for about two months now. About a month ago they served them at church so I rationalized the fact that he got his fix that would hold him over for a bit, but, nope! He kept asking for me to make these.

These banana bars are so easy to make and this recipe makes a big batch so it’s a great dessert to make for potlucks and other events just like this Banana Split Trifle. Plus, they go over well any time of the year! So if you have a few overripe bananas laying around I highly recommend trying this recipe out. Everyone loves them when I make them.

What ingredients do I need to make Banana Bars?

This is a quick overview of the recipe’s ingredients and instructions. Please scroll to the bottom of the post for full recipe with detailed instructions!

Bars

• Softened butter
• Sugar
• Eggs
• Medium-sized ripe bananas
• Vanilla
• All-purpose flour
• Baking soda
• Salt

Cream Cheese Frosting

• Softened butter
• Softened cream cheese
• Powdered sugar
• Vanilla extract

How do I make Banana Bars?

Make the Cake Batter: Cream the butter and sugar together in a mixing bowl. Add the eggs, bananas, and vanilla and mix until smooth. In a separate bowl, combine the flour, baking soda, and salt. Add the dry ingredients to the wet ones and stir until combined.

Bake the Banana Bars: Pour the batter into a greased 15x10x1″ baking pan. Bake the bars for 25 minutes at 350°F or until they test done. Cool the bars in the baking pan.

Make the Frosting: Cream the butter and sugar in a bowl. Gradually add the powdered sugar and vanilla and beat well to combine. If you want the frosting a little thicker add more powdered sugar. Spread the frosting over the cooled banana bars. Slice and serve!

So easy! So delicious!

What tools do I need to make Banana Bars?

• Mixing bowls
• Electric mixer
• 15x10x1″ baking pan

Quick Tips and Tricks for Making Banana Bars!

Here are some quick tips and tricks along with frequently asked questions about this banana bar recipe. If you have additional questions please comment below and we will do our best to answer them!

Storing Banana Bars

Once you’ve made and frosted the banana bars they will need to be kept in the refrigerator because of the cream cheese frosting. They will keep for a few days, but be sure to keep them in an airtight container. You can also freeze the bars (even if they’re frosted!) for up to two months. Just be sure to tightly wrap them.

How long do Banana Bars last?

They’ll keep well for a few days in the refrigerator or up to two months in the freezer!

How to Freeze Frosted Banana Bars

If you want to freeze your frosted banana bars all you do is wrap them tightly and pop them in the freezer. They will keep for up to two months. When you want to serve them, allow enough time to thaw them in the refrigerator.

Add-in Ideas for Banana Bars!

You can customize these banana bars with your favorite add-ins or different kinds of frosting! Here are some ideas:

• Instead of cream cheese frosting, try brown butter frosting, peanut butter frosting, chocolate frosting or another frosting that you love!
• Add fresh fruit like blueberries, chopped strawberries, or raspberries to the batter before you bake the bars.
• Or, stir in chocolate chips or white chocolate chips into the batter.
• Add some chopped nuts like walnuts, peanuts, or almonds.

These banana bars are always a hit! They’re such a great way to use up those ripe bananas, but if you’re looking for more banana recipes be sure to check out a few more of our favorites!

More Recipes to Use Ripe Bananas in!

• Banana Bread
• Double Chocolate Banana Bread
• Chocolate Banana Baked Oatmeal Cups
• Chocolate Chip Banana Bars
• Banana Pudding Bundt Cake

WATCH THE STEP BY STEP VIDEO FOR THIS BANANA BAR RECIPE BELOW:

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Try it and love it? Rate it, please!!! 😋 Seriously though a five-star rating below will make my day! If you snap a photo, please be sure tag me on Instagram at @julieseatsandtreats or #julieseatsandtreats so I can see your delicious banana bars!!

Banana Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting

Soft yummy banana bars topped with cream cheese frosting! A trusted family favorite!

5 from 3 votes

Print Pin Rate

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: American

Keyword: Banana Bars

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 25 minutes

Total Time: 40 minutes

Servings: 20 Bars

Calories: 390kcal

Author: Julie Evink

Ingredients

Bars

• 1/2 c. butter softened
• 2 c. sugar
• 3 eggs
• 3 medium ripe bananas
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 2 c. all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp baking soda
• Pinch of salt

Frosting

• 1/4 c. butter softened
• 4 oz cream cheese softened
• 2 1/4 c. powdered sugar
• 1 tsp vanilla extract

Instructions

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
• In a mixing bowl, cream butter and sugar. Beat in eggs, bananas and vanilla.
• Combine the flour, baking soda and salt; add to the creamed mixture and mix well.
• Pour into greased 15 x 10 x 1 inch baking pan.
• Bake at 350 degrees for 25 minutes or until bars test done. Cool.
• For the frosting cream butter and cream cheese in a mixing bowl. Gradually add confectioners’ sugar and vanilla. Beat well. If you want it thicker add a littler more confectioners’ sugar. Spread over bars.

Nutrition

Serving: 1g | Calories: 390kcal | Carbohydrates: 72g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 10g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Cholesterol: 49mg | Sodium: 155mg | Potassium: 105mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 52g | Vitamin A: 345IU | Vitamin C: 1.6mg | Calcium: 16mg | Iron: 1.3mg

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