Banana Bars with Cream Cheese frosting

Wednesday, January 7, 2009

Banana Bars with Cream Cheese frosting

These banana bars are my all-time favorite. They’re so moist and delicious. The cream cheese frosting on top goes with the banana bars perfectly.

Banana Bars – from my mom (no idea where it came from originally) – makes ~3dozen bars1/2 cup softened butter or margarine
2 cups sugar
3 eggs
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1 1/2 cups mashed ripe bananas (about 4 medium)
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
Pinch salt

Preheat oven to 350F. In a mixing bowl, cream butter and sugar. Beat in eggs, bananas, and vanilla.

Combine to flour, baking soda, and salt; add to creamed mixture and mix well.

Pour into a greased 15x10x1 inch baking pan. Bake at 350 for 25 minutes or until bars test done. Cool.

Frosting
1/2 cup softened butter or margarine
4 cups confectioners sugar
1 package (8 ounces) softened cream cheese
2 tsp. vanilla extract

Cream butter and cream cheese in a mixing bowl. Gradually add confectioners’ sugar and vanilla; beat well. Spread over bars.

Bars and Brownies, Dessert, Family Favorites

5 comments »

16 Responses to “Winter Kale and Quinoa Salad”

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Kelsey — January 12, 2013 at 10:02 am

I’m with you–every ingredient in this salad is a winner on it’s own. Together? Forgetaboutit! The colors are beautiful and I can imagine how great it tastes with the balance of bitter, sweet, and tart.

Love the new layout, also. Way to go!
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Wicked Goodies — January 12, 2013 at 9:54 pm

Yum! I am also addicted to kale since doing a CSA here in Boston 🙂
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Jill McOwen — January 12, 2013 at 10:45 pm
It’s so funny, because as I was scrolling through Tastespotting tonight and saw this post, I had to click because it looked so familiar to my winter couscous bowl… and then, I couldn’t believe it when I saw my blog credited at the bottom! This is a first for me 🙂 Thanks so much for the credit!

So you’ve recently moved back to Cincinnati? Which part? My family and I live in Anderson Township.
- beantownbaker — January 13th, 2013 @ 10:02 am
  
  Thanks so much for the recipe!!
  
  We work in West Chester and are living in Oakley right now. Trying to find a house at some point…
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Megan — January 13, 2013 at 9:28 pm
I think this sounds amazing, Jen! And I love how colorful it is. I am always looking for new winter salads that are colorful, flavorful, and interesting.
- beantownbaker — January 13th, 2013 @ 10:06 pm
  
  This is definitely colorful, flavorful, and interesting. I have seriously been OBSESSED with pomegranates this winter, and this salad totally feeds into that obsession.
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Sues — January 14, 2013 at 7:39 am
I’m on a major quinoa AND kale kick so this salad is right up my alley. So colorful and pretty, too!
- beantownbaker — January 14th, 2013 @ 3:47 pm
  
  Pretty food is definitely always tastier than ugly food 🙂
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Shannon — January 14, 2013 at 1:29 pm
looks a lot like the one i posted last week 🙂 obviously, i’m all over it!!
- beantownbaker — January 14th, 2013 @ 3:48 pm
  
  Very similar indeed!
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Michelle — January 14, 2013 at 2:10 pm
This is perfect for that kale and pomegranate I have in the fridge! I’m always excited to find new things to put together ahead of time for lunches and dinners, thanks! Hope you are settling in nicely 🙂
- beantownbaker — January 14th, 2013 @ 3:49 pm
  
  I couldn’t agree more. Making food ahead of time saves the day during the week! I can’t imagine not eating leftovers… Things are going pretty well for us in Ohio so far. Hope things are going well for you and your little bundle on the way!
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Cara — January 14, 2013 at 7:40 pm

Sounds great to me! I love the ingredients. And the colors 🙂
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ErinsFoodFiles — January 17, 2013 at 1:25 pm

This sounds right up my alley! YUM!!
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Sarah — November 1, 2013 at 9:33 pm
I was thinking about an easy and colorful, flavorful, and power-packed healthy side dish to bring for a potluck lunch after a trail work party this coming weekend. I had these amazing cute pumpkins to harvest from my garden and love both kale and quinoa. I thought to myself, mmmm, what if I made some kind of pumpkin kale quinoa and goat cheese salad to share? One quick internet search and I came across this gem! I modified and concocted a tad, which is normal for me. Thanks so much for the recipe and ingredient confirmations! The honey, olive oil, and smokey / spicy combo was the secret ingredient for me! Happy fooding!
- beantownbaker — November 3rd, 2013 @ 12:35 pm
  
  Glad you enjoyed it! I am always tweaking recipes to make them fit what I have on hand and what we like too.