Description
Delicious banana bread bars topped with rich brown butter frosting, perfect for any occasion.
Ingredients
Scale
- 3 ripe bananas, mashed
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup brown sugar, packed
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans (optional)
- For the frosting:
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter
- 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2–3 tablespoons milk
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving some overhang for easy removal.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the mashed bananas, granulated sugar, brown sugar, and melted butter. Mix until well combined.
- Add the eggs and vanilla extract to the banana mixture, stirring until smooth.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the baking soda, salt, and flour. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing just until combined. If using, fold in the chopped nuts.
- Pour the batter into the prepared baking pan, spreading it evenly. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- While the bars are baking, prepare the brown butter frosting. In a small saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Continue cooking, stirring frequently, until the butter turns a golden brown color and has a nutty aroma. Remove from heat and let it cool slightly.
- In a mixing bowl, combine the browned butter, powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and 2 tablespoons of milk. Whisk until smooth. If the frosting is too thick, add more milk, one tablespoon at a time, until desired consistency is reached.
- Once the bars are cool, spread the brown butter frosting evenly over the top. Cut into squares and serve.
Notes
- For a chocolate twist, add 1/2 cup of chocolate chips to the batter before baking.
- Substitute the nuts with shredded coconut or dried fruit for a different texture and flavor.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 210
- Sugar: 15g
- Sodium: 150mg
- Fat: 9g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 30mg