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Banana Bars Recipe

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35 minutes
16 Comments
5 from 1 vote
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These Banana Bars are a new family favorite and go to. They taste so good, and are so easy to make. They are like brownies, but made with a slight hint of banana, instead of chocolate. You will love them.
Banana Bars Recipe
I am usually a brownie lover, but after trying these banana bars I don’t think I’ll ever go back. Not only do they taste amazing, but they are so easy and quick to make.
They aren’t as rich as brownies, but just as satisfying, if not more. They only require a few simple ingredients, and they are my new favorite way to put ripe bananas to use.
If you have never tried any type of banana bar, this is the recipe I recommend trying out first. You will never make another banana bread recipe in your life again, because this is just too good.

does it matter if my bananas are ripe or not?

For this recipe, we do highly recommend that you use ripe bananas. They will work better, and the cake will be a little sweeter.

Ripe bananas have more time to create that delicious fruit sugar we all love. They will taste a lot sweeter when paired with butter and flour, than unripe bananas.

For this recipe, we recommend using bananas that have gone brown, or are more than 50% brown.

The bread will be a little bit more dense like a brownie, and less like a cake texture. The cake texture comes when your bananas are still a little too fresh.

how could i make this recipe, a little more healthy?

Even though this has bananas in it, it’s not exactly the most healthy dessert. If you are looking for a healthier and more simple version of the recipe, here is what we recommend;

  • Replace the sour cream with plain Greek yogurt
  • Replace the flour with whole wheat flour
  • Use 1/2 cup honey and 1 cup sugar instead of 1 1/2 cups sugar

It’s quick, simple, and delicious, even with just a few of these changes.

watch how to make another banana favorite, here:

Did you know we have a Youtube Channel? We have hundreds of simple and delicious recipes, your family is going to love. We take you through each recipe, step by step, and show you exactly how to make them.

These Nutella Banana Coconut Hot Pockets make the perfect dessert, breakfast, or snack. They are full of flavor and the perfect way to put ripe bananas to use. Watch how to make them, here:

looking for more banana recipes? here are a few of our favorite:

Banana Bars Recipe

5 from 1 vote
These Banana Bars are a new family favorite and go to. They taste so good, and are so easy to make. They are like brownies, but made with a slight hint of banana, instead of chocolate. You will love them.
Serving20
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Save Print

Ingredients

  • 1½ cups sugar
  • 1 cup sour cream, or plain yogurt
  • ½ cup butter, or margarine, softened
  • 2 eggs
  • 1½ cups very ripe mashed bananas, about 2
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla
  • 2 cups flour
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda

Glaze Ingredients

  • ¼ cup butter, or margarine
  • 2 cups powdered sugar
  • 3 Tablespoons milk
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla

Equipment

Instructions

  1. Combine sugar, sour cream (or yogurt), butter, and eggs.
  2. Stir in mashed bananas and vanilla. Add flour, salt, and baking soda
  3. Spread into a greased 10x15x1 (regular sized cookie sheet) and bake at 375 degrees for 18-20 minutes or until light brown.
  4. After it has cooled, whisk butter, powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla together for the glazed topping and spread over top.

Notes

Even though this has bananas in it, it’s not exactly the most healthy dessert. If you are looking for a healthier and more simple version of the recipe, here is what we recommend;
  • Replace the sour cream with plain Greek yogurt
  • Replace the flour with whole wheat flour
  • Use 1/2 cup honey and 1 cup sugar instead of 1 1/2 cups sugar

Nutrition

Calories: 258 kcal · Carbohydrates: 41 g · Protein: 2 g · Fat: 10 g · Saturated Fat: 6 g · Trans Fat: 1 g · Cholesterol: 41 mg · Sodium: 249 mg · Potassium: 103 mg · Fiber: 1 g · Sugar: 29 g · Vitamin A: 323 IU · Vitamin C: 2 mg · Calcium: 23 mg · Iron: 1 mg
Cuisine: American
Course: Dessert
Did You Make This Recipe?We’d love to hear your thoughts! Leave a review or a question in the comment section below the post.

This Recipe is Adapted from:  320* Sycamore

 

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Published: March 28, 2013Updated: May 8, 2024

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Questions & Reviews

  1. Eric Pepple says:
    I've been really diggin banana things lately so this of course sounds delicious. A gas station/convenience store around here called Sheetz just started canning their own iced coffees and they have a chocolate banana one that is absolutely amazing! Sorry..I'm rambling..thanks for sharing :)

    Happy Blogging!
    Happy Valley Chow
  2. Trisha says:
    This sounds great! Very similar to a recipe I found here: http://www.bakeorbreak.com/2013/02/banana-bars-with-browned-butter-icing/
    It was such a crowd pleaser I've made it 3x since finding the recipe a month ago.
  3. Mary Ellen says:
    Yum! We love ours with cream cheese icing on top. I've done banana bars for over 10 years and substituted out different flours and applesauce instead of butter or oil with good results!

    http://whisktogether.wordpress.com/2011/08/09/banana-bars/
  4. TwinMomma says:
    Mmmm! These sound perfect to make for our trip....I have some very ripe bananas that are begging to be baked into something yummy to take with us.
  5. Mags Pomichowski says:
    MMMM these look delish! Check out my Easter eggs post from today: http://magsmind22.blogspot.com/2013/03/easter-eggs.html I think you guys would like it.

    xoxo
    Mags
    http://magsmind22.blogspot.com
  6. Blair Lonergan says:
    I'm always looking for new ways to use up my old bananas (other than banana bread), so these bars will be added to my list. They look amazing!

    Blair at www.TheSeasonedMom.com
  7. Morgaine Ford-Workman says:
    Looks so great! I am always looking for things to make with the old bananas. :D
    Morgaine from Madcap Frenzy
    http://www.madcapfrenzy.blogspot.com/2013/03/totally-tuesday-link-party-2.html
  8. Amber says:
    I turned the bars into a cake and made a Banana Man! http://dexterkids.blogspot.com/2013/05/banana-man-cake-recipe.html Great recipe! Coconut on top makes a great topping!
  9. Heather says:
    I had some very ripe bananas in need of a recipe, and I came across yours! I used less sugar (1 cup instead of 1.5), plain non-fat Greek yogurt, and whole wheat flour. I also skipped the glaze and these bars came out great! Thanks!
  10. Debbie says:
    These are so good, my family loves them!!!! So moist and with the glaze they are delicious. I've made them several times and am making them again tomorrow morning.
  11. Laura says:
    The first time I made these they turned out looking and tasting exactly like banana bread (I made in a 9x13 casserole dish) but light in texture like cake. They were amazing. The 2nd and 3rd time I made these they turned out looking and tasting like cake, banana flavoured. I don't know what happened, I'm doing everything the same, but I enjoyed more the first time. Still a great recipe, I just wish I knew how to get it looking/tasting like light airy banana bread again.
  12. Rachel Page says:
    I've got bananas at home that I could use to make these. Thanks for sharing.
  13. Hannah says:
    This recipe is amazing! I’m sure it is perfect as written, but seeing as I didn’t have sour cream in my fridge, I substituted 4 Tbs buttermilk powder and 1/2 c water, and these were a hit, I tell you! Holy smokes! I can’t wait to share these with everyone!
  14. Cyd says:
    Hi Hannah, We are so glad that you loved them. Your recipe adjustment sounds amazing! Have a great week!
  15. Erica says:
    This recipe is one of our go-to favorites. Sometimes I add mini chocolate chips to the batter and I always use Six Sister Fluffy Cream Cheese frosting recipe that is on their banana cake recipe for the frosting instead of the glaze. Does anyone know if these can be frozen, and if so, what is the best way to do that for best results? Thanks!

    5 stars

  16. Momma Cyd says:
    Yes, these should freeze well. Be sure to freeze in an airtight freezer container.
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