Banana Bars

I end up with lots of overripe bananas, so I have to come up with lots of ways to use them.  This recipe can be made as a low-fat version or full-fat version.  I’ll give you both and you can decide.  I also include a cream cheese frosting recipe that you could use on cupcakes, brownies or anything else you like!  It is not extremely thick, so piping would not be possible.  If you wanted just a spreadable cream cheese frosting, then this would work.

I like how this recipe comes together all in one bowl.  I just wash out my batter bowl and use it to make the frosting later.  I haven’t tried it in a 9×9 pan, but I bet that would have larger bars and I like that idea.  I’ll probably try that next time.

Now onto Banana Bars….

Banana Bars
yield 16-24 servings depending how large you cut them

1 cup sugar
1 cup ripe bananas (3 medium sized), mashed
1/3 cup vegetable oil
2 eggs
1 cup flour
1 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. cinnamon
1/4 tsp. salt

1/3 cup butter, room temperature
1 package of cream cheese (8 oz), room temperature
1.5-2 cups powdered sugar
1 tsp. vanilla

1.  Combine sugar, bananas, oil and eggs in large bowl.  Beat together.
2.  Stir in flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon and salt.
3.  Pour into a greased 9×13 pan and bake 350 degrees for 25-30 minutes.  Top will be light golden brown.  Cool completely.
4.  In large bowl: Beat butter and cream cheese together until creamy.  Add vanilla extract.  Add powdered sugar a little at a time (1/2 cup increments works well for me.
5.  Spread frosting on cooled bars and serve.  Will keep for at least 3-4 days if covered tightly.  After 2 days I put it in the fridge just in case.

Low Fat Banana Bars

1 cup Splenda
1 cup ripe bananas (3 medium bananas), mashed
1/3 cup applesauce
2 eggs
1 cup flour
1 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. cinnamon
1/4 tsp. salt

1 pkg. of 1/3 less fat cream cheese (8 oz.)
3 Tbs. butter
1.5-2 cups powdered sugar
1 tsp. vanilla

Directions same as above

Shared on: http://www.wellseasonedlife.com/2011/10/sweet-indulgences-sunday-27.html