If you’ve been hunting for a crowd-pleasing treat that’s bursting with flavor and has that perfect balance of moist cake and tangy sweetness, look no further than this Banana Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe. These bars are wonderfully soft and packed with the rich taste of ripe bananas, and when topped with a luscious, creamy cream cheese frosting, they transform into a dessert that’s impossible to resist. Whether you’re baking for a family gathering or just treating yourself, these banana bars bring all the comfort and joy of a classic banana bread, but in a delectably easy-to-share bar form.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The magic of this Banana Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe lies in its simplicity, with each ingredient playing a vital role to create the perfect texture and flavor. You’ll find that these everyday staples come together to make a moist, tender base and a frosting that is silkily smooth and sweet.
- ½ cup butter (softened): Adds richness and helps create a tender crumb in the bars.
- 1 ½ cups granulated sugar: Sweetens the bars while contributing subtle moisture.
- 2 eggs: Bind the ingredients together and provide structure.
- ½ cup sour cream (room temperature): Enhances moisture and offers a slight tang that complements the bananas.
- ½ cup buttermilk (room temperature): Boosts tenderness and adds a gentle tanginess.
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract: Brings depth and warmth to the overall flavor.
- 2 cups all-purpose flour: Builds the base of the bars, ensuring they’re firm yet soft.
- 1 teaspoon baking soda: Helps the bars rise and maintain a fluffy texture.
- ¼ teaspoon salt: Balances the sweetness and intensifies flavors.
- 4 medium overripe bananas, mashed: The star ingredient that infuses natural sweetness and moisture.
- ½ cup butter (softened) for frosting: Creates a creamy base for the frosting’s smooth texture.
- 8 ounces cream cheese (softened): Gives the frosting its signature tangy creaminess.
- 1 ½ teaspoons vanilla extract (for frosting): Adds that classic vanilla warmth.
- 3 cups powdered sugar: Sweetens the frosting while keeping it fluffy.
How to Make Banana Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe
Step 1: Prepare Your Pan and Oven
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F. Grease a 10 x 15-inch jelly roll pan thoroughly so your banana bars don’t stick and come out cleanly. This pan size is perfect for creating bars that are easy to cut and share.
Step 2: Mix Wet Ingredients
Grab a large mixing bowl and cream together ½ cup of softened butter with 1 ½ cups of granulated sugar until the texture is smooth and fluffy. This step is important because it helps incorporate air, resulting in lighter bars. Beat in the eggs one at a time, making sure each is fully absorbed before adding the next. Then stir in the sour cream, buttermilk, and vanilla extract—each brings moisture and flavor layers that make these bars truly special.
Step 3: Combine Dry Ingredients and Add Bananas
In a separate small bowl, whisk the flour, baking soda, and salt together. This mixture ensures even distribution of the rising agents and seasoning to guarantee a uniform texture. Gradually stir this dry mix into your wet ingredients. Finally, fold in the mashed bananas gently but thoroughly—they’re the heart of this Banana Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe, infusing the batter with natural sweetness and a beautiful moist consistency.
Step 4: Bake the Bars
Spread the batter evenly into your prepared pan, smoothing the top with a spatula for an even bake. Place the pan in your preheated oven and bake for about 20 to 25 minutes. You’ll know they’re done when a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean, signaling that the bars are cooked through but still wonderfully tender inside.
Step 5: Prepare the Cream Cheese Frosting
While the bars cool completely, start making the frosting. Beat together ½ cup softened butter and 8 ounces of softened cream cheese until the mixture is silky and smooth. Add 1 ½ teaspoons of vanilla extract, then slowly add 3 cups of powdered sugar one cup at a time, mixing well after each addition. If the frosting feels too thick, thin it out with a little milk until it reaches your desired consistency. This frosting is what takes the banana bars from delicious to downright irresistible.
Step 6: Frost and Serve
Once your bars have cooled fully, spread the cream cheese frosting evenly over the top. This finishing touch adds a luscious richness and a tangy sweetness that perfectly balances the banana flavor. Slice into squares, serve, and watch everyone’s faces light up!
How to Serve Banana Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe
Garnishes
For an added touch of beauty and taste, sprinkle chopped walnuts or pecans on top of the cream cheese frosting before it sets. You can also dust with a hint of cinnamon or drizzle with a bit of melted chocolate to elevate the presentation and flavor complexity.
Side Dishes
These banana bars pair wonderfully with a simple cup of coffee or a glass of cold milk, making them an excellent choice for breakfast, afternoon tea, or dessert. Fresh fruit like strawberries or blueberries also complements the richness of the bars and frosting nicely.
Creative Ways to Present
Consider cutting the bars into bite-sized pieces and serving them on a decorative platter for a party or potluck. For a fun twist, stack two bars with extra frosting in between to make mini banana bar sandwiches. They also make charming additions to a dessert buffet or picnic basket.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Banana bars with cream cheese frosting keep best when stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator. This helps maintain the freshness of the frosting and prevents the bars from drying out. They should stay delicious for up to 4-5 days, giving you plenty of time to enjoy them.
Freezing
If you want to save some for later, these bars freeze beautifully. To freeze, wrap individual bars or the whole pan tightly in plastic wrap and then aluminum foil to avoid freezer burn. When you’re ready to eat, thaw them overnight in the fridge for a moist, fresh-tasting treat.
Reheating
While these bars taste terrific cold, if you prefer them warm, pop a single bar in the microwave for about 15-20 seconds. This will soften the frosting slightly and warm the banana-flavored cake beneath, creating a cozy, comforting bite.
FAQs
Can I use regular yogurt instead of sour cream?
Yes! Plain yogurt is a fine substitute for sour cream in this Banana Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe. It will still provide moisture and a bit of tang, though the texture might be very slightly different.
How ripe should the bananas be?
The best bananas for this recipe are very ripe, with lots of brown spots or even fully brown skins. The more ripe the bananas, the sweeter and more flavorful your bars will be.
Can I make these bars gluten-free?
Absolutely. Replace the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free baking blend that measures cup-for-cup, and ensure your baking soda and other ingredients are certified gluten-free for best results.
Is it necessary to refrigerate the banana bars after frosting?
Yes, because the cream cheese frosting contains dairy, it’s safest to keep the bars refrigerated to prevent spoilage and keep the frosting fresh and smooth.
How thick should I spread the cream cheese frosting?
That’s entirely up to your preference! A thin layer lets the banana flavor shine, while a thicker layer adds more sweetness and richness. I recommend a generous but even layer that covers the bars fully without overwhelming them.
Final Thoughts
This Banana Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe is truly one of those recipes you’ll find yourself coming back to again and again. It’s an easy, dependable crowd-pleaser that marries classic banana goodness with a creamy, dreamy frosting. Give it a try—you’ll be amazed at how quickly these bars disappear!
Print
Banana Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 24 servings
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Delight in these moist and flavorful Banana Bars topped with a rich and creamy homemade Cream Cheese Frosting. Perfect for a snack or dessert, these bars combine ripe bananas with a tender cake-like texture, finished with a smooth, sweet frosting that complements every bite.
Ingredients
Banana Bars
- ½ cup butter, softened
- 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
- 2 eggs
- ½ cup sour cream, room temperature
- ½ cup buttermilk, room temperature
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 4 medium overripe bananas, mashed
Cream Cheese Frosting
- ½ cup butter, softened
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1 ½ teaspoons vanilla extract
- 3 cups powdered sugar
Instructions
- Prepare the pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 10 x 15-inch jelly roll pan thoroughly to prevent sticking, then set it aside.
- Make the batter: In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until the mixture is smooth and slightly fluffy. Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition to fully incorporate them. Next, stir in the sour cream, buttermilk, and vanilla extract until evenly blended.
- Combine dry ingredients: In a separate small bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt. Gradually add this dry mixture into the wet batter, stirring gently just until combined to avoid overmixing.
- Add bananas: Fold the mashed overripe bananas into the batter, ensuring they are evenly distributed without overmixing.
- Bake the bars: Pour the batter into the prepared jelly roll pan and spread it evenly. Bake in the preheated oven for 20 to 25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Remove from the oven and allow the bars to cool completely in the pan before frosting.
- Make the frosting: In a medium bowl, beat together the softened butter and cream cheese until the mixture is smooth and creamy. Add the vanilla extract and gradually mix in the powdered sugar one cup at a time, beating until smooth and fluffy. If the frosting is too thick, thin it slightly with a small amount of milk until spreadable.
- Frost the bars: Once the banana bars have cooled completely, spread the cream cheese frosting evenly over the top. Cut into 24 squares and serve.
Notes
- For best flavor, use overripe bananas with brown spots as they provide natural sweetness and moisture.
- Ensure the sour cream and buttermilk are at room temperature to avoid curdling when mixed with other ingredients.
- If desired, add chopped nuts such as walnuts or pecans into the batter for added texture.
- The bars must be completely cooled before frosting to prevent the frosting from melting.
- Store the frosted banana bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- To keep the frosting smooth and spreadable, bring it to room temperature before frosting if refrigerated.
