These moist, warmly spiced banana bars with cream cheese frosting are an easy, make-ahead dessert to share with friends and family!
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If you’re looking for even more easy banana recipes, don’t miss this popular banana nut bread, this easy hummingbird cake recipe, and a loaf of buttermilk banana bread, too!
This Banana Bars Recipe is a Versatile and Easy Dessert
Whether you’re bringing a treat to a church potluck, adding a dessert to the Easter or Thanksgiving buffet, or just looking to use up those overripe bananas on your counter, this simple banana bars recipe is a perfect solution! It’s takes advantage of basic kitchen staples, so you probably already have most of the ingredients on hand. Plus, the made-from-scratch bars are ready for the oven with just 15 minutes of prep!
Ingredient Notes and Tips for Success
- Use very ripe bananas for maximum flavor and sweetness. You want them to look quite speckled and brown!
- These old-fashioned banana bars bake in a 10×15-inch jelly roll pan. It’s the same pan that we use for our white Texas sheet cake, and honestly, these “bars” taste a lot like a banana sheet cake! If you prefer to use a different size pan, see my notes in the Recipe Variations section below.
- The cinnamon and nutmeg add cozy warmth to the bars. We like just a subtle hint in the background, but you can use more of the spices for a more prominent flavor.
- Make your own cream cheese frosting from scratch, or use store-bought frosting for a shortcut. If using store-bought frosting, I recommend purchasing two 16-ounce cans so that you have plenty of frosting for a nice thick layer on top (you likely will not need all of it, though).
How to Make Banana Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting
I first discovered this simple banana bar recipe in the Eichers’ Amish Family Cookbook. I’ve since adapted it slightly, but the old-fashioned goodness stays fairly true to the original. While they are very easy to mix together, it’s important that you remember to make them in advance. The bars need plenty of time to cool before you can spread that cream cheese icing on top!
- Use an electric mixer to cream together the wet ingredients, including the mashed banana. I use a hand mixer for this step, but a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment also works well.
- Whisk the dry ingredients in a separate bowl.
- Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and mix to combine. Use a spatula to scrape down the sides of the bowl periodically and stir in any loose bits from the edges.
- Spread the batter in a well-greased jelly roll pan.
- Bake the bars for about 25 minutes.
- Let them cool completely before frosting.
- Mix together the cream cheese frosting, and then spread it on top of the bars.
- Slice into squares and serve!
Serving Suggestions
Banana bars with cream cheese frosting are delicious at room temperature, or even straight out of the refrigerator! They’re perfect on their own with a cup of coffee or tea, a mug of cocoa, or a glass of milk — but they’re even more decadent when paired with a scoop of ice cream. Try serving the bars with vanilla ice cream, cinnamon ice cream, or chocolate ice cream for a real treat!
Preparation and Storage Tips
- Make Ahead: These bars just seem to get better as they sit, so they’re a nice option to prepare in advance. I recommend making the bars one day ahead of when you plan to serve them.
- Storage: Keep the bars covered in the refrigerator. Bring them to room temperature for about 30-60 minutes before serving for the best taste and texture. If you’re in a real rush, you can eat them straight from the fridge! The bars are best when enjoyed within 2-3 days of baking, but you can safely store the leftovers covered in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.
- How to Freeze: Sealed in an airtight container, frosted banana bars will keep well in the freezer for up to 3 months.
Banana Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting
Ingredients
FOR THE BARS
- ½ cup (1 stick) salted butter, softened
- 2 cups sugar
- 3 large eggs
- 1 ½ cups mashed ripe bananas (about 3 large bananas or 4 smaller bananas)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ¼ teaspoon salt
FOR THE CREAM CHEESE FROSTING (OR SUB WITH STORE-BOUGHT CREAM CHEESE FROSTING)
- 1 (8 ounce) block cream cheese, softened at room temperature
- ¼ cup salted butter, softened at room temperature
- 2 ½ cups powdered sugar, sifted
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
FOR THE BARS
- Preheat the oven to 350°F. Grease a 15 x 10-inch jelly roll pan or spray with nonstick cooking spray. Set aside. In a large bowl, use an electric mixer on medium speed to cream together the butter and sugar, about 3 to 4 minutes. Beat in the eggs, bananas, and vanilla extract.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt.
- Add the dry ingredients to the banana mixture. Beat on medium speed until combined.
- Pour the batter into the prepared pan and spread evenly. Tap on the counter a couple of times to release any big air bubbles.
- Bake until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, about 25 minutes. Cool completely before frosting.
FOR THE FROSTING
- In a medium bowl, use an electric mixer to beat together the cream cheese and butter until smooth. Gradually add the powdered sugar and vanilla extract; beat until fluffy and smooth. Spread on cooled bars.
- Slice into squares and serve.
Notes
- This recipe is adapted from The Amish Family Cookbook by Jerry S. Eicher and Tina Eicher.
- Optional mix-ins: chocolate chips, raisins, dried cranberries, chopped nuts (such as walnuts or pecans). You can also garnish the frosting with chopped nuts on top or a dusting of ground cinnamon.
- If using store-bought frosting, I recommend purchasing two 16-ounce cans so that you have plenty of frosting for a nice thick layer on top (you likely will not need all of it, though).
Nutrition
Recipe Variations
- Instead of a 15×10-inch jelly roll pan, you can bake the bars on a larger 13×18-inch rimmed baking sheet. The bars will be thinner, so they will require a shorter baking time. Start checking them at the 15-minute mark.
- For thicker bars (more like a banana cake), bake the batter in a 9 x 13-inch baking pan. These thicker bars will require a little bit more time in the oven.
- No Frosting: of course, you can skip the cream cheese frosting if you like — the bars will still be delicious! Dust the tops with a little bit of powdered sugar or a dollop of whipped cream for presentation.
- Optional mix-ins: chocolate chips, raisins, dried cranberries, chopped nuts (such as walnuts or pecans). You can also garnish the frosting with chopped nuts, toasted coconut, or a dusting of ground cinnamon on top.
More Easy Banana Recipes to Try
Easy Banana Pudding
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Whole Wheat Banana Bread
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Chocolate Chip Banana Bread
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