Description
Moist banana bars topped with a rich, nutty brown butter frosting—a cozy twist on classic banana bread perfect for dessert or a snack.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 3 ripe bananas, mashed (about 1 cup)
- 1/2 cup sour cream or plain yogurt
- Brown Butter Frosting: 1/2 cup unsalted butter (for browning)
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 2–3 tbsp milk or cream
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 °F (175 °C). Line a 9×9‑inch pan with parchment or grease well.
- In a bowl, whisk flour, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon. Set aside.
- In another large bowl, cream softened butter and both sugars until light and fluffy, about 2–3 minutes.
- Add eggs one at a time, beating after each, then stir in vanilla extract.
- Fold in mashed bananas and sour cream until combined.
- Gradually add dry ingredients and stir until just incorporated—avoid overmixing.
- Spread batter evenly in prepared pan. Bake 25–30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with a few moist crumbs.
- Allow bars to cool completely in the pan on a wire rack.
- While bars cool, make brown butter frosting: in a small saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Continue cooking, swirling pan until butter melts, foams and turns golden-brown with a nutty aroma (about 4–5 minutes). Remove from heat and let cool briefly.
- Pour browned butter into a bowl, whisk in powdered sugar, vanilla, and enough milk/cream to reach spreading consistency.
- Frost cooled banana bars, spread evenly; cut into squares. Serve!
Notes
- Cool bars completely before frosting to prevent melting.
- Use very ripe bananas for maximum sweetness and flavor.
- Frosting can be made ahead and stored in fridge—bring to room temperature before spreading.
- Add chopped walnuts or pecans to the batter or sprinkle on top for extra texture.
- Store covered at room temperature for up to 3 days, or refrigerate up to 5 days.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar (based on 12)
- Calories: 260 kcal
- Sugar: 20 g
- Sodium: 180 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 34 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 55 mg