Who doesn’t love a good banana dessert? These Banana Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting are a decadent treat that combines the sweet, comforting flavors of ripe bananas with a smooth and rich cream cheese frosting.
This recipe is easy to make, uses basic pantry ingredients, and results in moist, flavorful bars that will have everyone coming back for seconds.
Whether you’re whipping them up for a family gathering, a potluck, or just because you’re craving something sweet, these banana bars will satisfy that dessert craving every time.
Let’s dive into the recipe for these delicious banana bars and learn how to make them perfectly.
We’ll break it down into two parts: the moist banana bars themselves and the tangy, sweet cream cheese frosting that takes them to the next level.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Let’s start with the ingredients, all of which are likely to be staples in your kitchen. Here’s the list for the banana bars and the frosting:
For the Banana Bars:
- 1/2 cup butter, softened
- 1-1/2 cups sugar
- 2 large eggs, at room temperature (this ensures better mixing and fluffier texture)
- 1 cup sour cream (adds moisture and tanginess to balance the sweetness)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (for that warm, inviting flavor)
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda (this helps the bars rise and stay fluffy)
- 1/4 teaspoon salt (to balance out the sweetness)
- 2 medium ripe bananas, mashed (about 1 cup)
For the Cream Cheese Frosting:
- 1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup butter, softened
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract (for extra depth of flavor)
- 3-3/4 to 4 cups confectioners’ sugar (this creates the perfect frosting consistency and sweetness)
Preparing the Banana Bars
1. Preheat the Oven
Preheat your oven to 350°F (177°C). This is a crucial first step because baking at the right temperature ensures the bars bake evenly and achieve the right texture.
2. Cream Butter and Sugar
In a large bowl, use a hand mixer or stand mixer to cream together the softened butter and sugar. Beat them on medium speed until the mixture is light and fluffy, which should take around 5 to 7 minutes. This step is important because creaming the butter and sugar properly introduces air into the batter, giving you a lighter and fluffier end product.
3. Add Eggs, Sour Cream, and Vanilla
Once the butter and sugar are creamed, add the eggs one at a time. Make sure the eggs are at room temperature so they mix smoothly into the batter. Beat well after each addition. Now, add the sour cream and vanilla extract, and mix until combined. The sour cream is what makes these bars incredibly moist, while the vanilla adds warmth and depth to the flavor.
4. Combine Dry Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt. This step helps ensure that the baking soda is evenly distributed throughout the batter, which is important for even rising.
5. Combine Wet and Dry Mixtures
Gradually add the dry mixture to the creamed butter and sugar mixture. Mix just until combined, being careful not to overmix, which can result in tough banana bars.
6. Add the Bananas
Mash two medium ripe bananas (about 1 cup) and stir them into the batter. The bananas should be fully incorporated, but be careful not to overmix at this point. Overmixing can result in a denser texture. The bananas give these bars their signature flavor and also help keep them moist.
7. Spread and Bake
Grease a 15x10x1-inch baking pan (a jelly roll pan works perfectly). Spread the banana batter evenly in the prepared pan. The batter will be thick, so use a spatula to smooth it out into an even layer.
Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes. You’ll know the bars are done when a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, with no wet batter clinging to it. Be careful not to overbake, as this can dry out the bars.
Once done, remove the pan from the oven and allow the bars to cool completely in the pan.
Making the Cream Cheese Frosting
While the banana bars are cooling, you can start making the cream cheese frosting. This frosting is rich, tangy, and sweet — the perfect complement to the sweetness of the banana bars.
1. Beat the Cream Cheese and Butter
In a large bowl, beat the softened cream cheese and butter together using a mixer on medium speed. Make sure both ingredients are fully softened, as this ensures a smooth and creamy frosting. Beat them until the mixture is light and fluffy, which should take around 3-4 minutes.
2. Add Vanilla
Once the cream cheese and butter are fluffy, add in the vanilla extract. The vanilla enhances the flavor of the frosting and adds warmth to the tanginess of the cream cheese.
3. Gradually Add the Confectioners’ Sugar
Now, gradually beat in the confectioners’ sugar, one cup at a time. Continue adding sugar until you reach your desired frosting consistency.
For a thicker frosting, use closer to 4 cups of sugar; for a slightly looser frosting, stick to the lower end of 3-3/4 cups. Keep tasting the frosting as you add the sugar to make sure it’s sweet enough for your liking without being overly sweet.
4. Frost the Banana Bars
Once the bars have completely cooled, it’s time to frost them. Spread the cream cheese frosting evenly over the cooled banana bars using an offset spatula or butter knife. Make sure you frost all the way to the edges for a smooth, uniform look.
You can decorate the frosted bars with chopped nuts, banana slices, or even a sprinkle of cinnamon for a little extra flair, though they’re perfect just as they are.
5. Chill and Serve
Since this frosting is cream cheese-based, it’s best to store the banana bars in the refrigerator.
After frosting, you can chill the bars for 30 minutes before cutting them into squares or rectangles. The chilling time helps the frosting firm up and makes the bars easier to cut.
When you’re ready to serve, bring the bars to room temperature for the best texture and flavor.
Tips for the Perfect Banana Bars:
- Use Ripe Bananas: The riper the bananas, the sweeter and more flavorful your bars will be. Look for bananas that have lots of brown spots on the peel for optimal sweetness.
- Don’t Overmix: Once you add the flour mixture, mix just until combined to avoid tough bars.
- Room Temperature Ingredients: Ensure your butter, eggs, and cream cheese are at room temperature for smooth mixing and the best texture.
Conclusion
These Banana Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting are the perfect dessert for any occasion. Moist, fluffy, and packed with banana flavor, these bars are irresistible on their own, but the tangy cream cheese frosting takes them to a whole new level.
Simple to prepare, with common ingredients, this recipe is sure to become a favorite in your household. Whether you enjoy them chilled straight from the fridge or at room temperature, these banana bars are sure to be a hit with family and friends alike.