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 »

11 Responses to “Apple Cranberry Cake-Pie”

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nutmegnanny — November 16, 2009 at 4:02 pm

This looks so homey and delicious!
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lilybeth12 — November 16, 2009 at 9:39 pm

RDQ: where should I add the cranberries? did you substitute them for the raisins? can i use fresh cranberries?
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Jen — November 17, 2009 at 12:04 am

Sorry – I updated the recipe to reflect that I used dried cranberries in place of the raisins.
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Jane — November 22, 2009 at 12:29 am

Looks just delicious! I’m crazy lately about cranberries too. Talk about a versatile fruit! I just used them this evening to make a cranberry-apple conserve that served as the sauce for almond-crusted pork tenderloin. It was a big hit.
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Lisa — November 22, 2009 at 3:09 am

I also wonder if you can use fresh cranberries since they are in season!
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Jen — November 22, 2009 at 4:57 pm

You could definitely make this with fresh cranberries if you wanted.
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Lisa — November 22, 2009 at 6:15 pm

How long did you bake this if you halved it in a 8 by 8 pan? So excited to try it 🙂
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Jen — November 22, 2009 at 7:43 pm

I think I started checking it at 30 minutes and left it in for about 45 based on the color of the top layer.
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Lucy — November 22, 2009 at 11:03 pm

I’ve seen this recipe around before but it never fails to look so delicious! Gorgeous flavours 🙂
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Lisa — November 23, 2009 at 2:19 am

Me again. It is DELICIOUS! I halved the recipe and used 1 cup of fresh cranberries, though I think I could have used more.

Thanks so much!
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Jen — November 23, 2009 at 2:26 am

Glad to hear it Lisa! I will definitely have to try this with fresh cranberries next time I make it.