My husband and I have a friend that hates yellow bananas. HATES them. But no, she doesn’t hate bananas in general. She actually loves them; she just won’t eat them when they are yellow. So every time she goes to the grocery store she has to ask the produce manager for the most green bananas they have. And then she eats them in all their starchy, bitter glory.

If you like bananas that are super green like that, then good for you (I guess). But as for me, I love yellow bananas and that super sweet banana flavor.

So if you are like me and love sweet bananas, and not like our weirdo friend, then you will LOVE these banana bars. I call them banana bars, but honestly, the texture is more like if banana bread and banana cake had a baby. They are super moist like banana bread but not as thick and dense. They are a slice of absolute perfection.

There are two secret ingredients that make these bars so soft. The first is sour cream, but the second is super ripe bananas that have been frozen. To freeze your bananas the easy way, always peel them first and then chop or break in half and put them in a plastic bag and place in the freezer to harden. I always have a bag on hand for smoothies or emergency banana bread cravings. But to make these bars, remove the bananas from the freezer and allow them to defrost. As they defrost, the bananas will become soft and goopy and a banana goo will gather in the bottom of the bag. You’ll need both the mushy bananas and the goo.

These banana bars are so fantastic that I made a batch the other day and took them to work. As people came through the office, they would help themselves to a bar and then go about their business. Suddenly, my cell phone started blowing up.

“Did you make these? They are fantastic!”

“OMG! These are soooooo good!”

“These are one of the best things I’ve ever eaten!”

It was awesome to get such great feedback, and yes, I think these bars totally serve it! Are you excited to make them? Let’s do it!

First, and every time you bake, make sure that your butter and eggs are at room temperature. If your stick of butter bends when you try to… you know, bend it, then you are ready to get started. While you are bringing your butter and eggs up to room temperature, preheat the oven to 350°.

Toast the walnuts for ten minutes or until they become fragrant.

Next, in a bowl, cream together 1/2 cup butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add the eggs, sour cream, 1 tsp. vanilla, and stir to combine. Then, add the defrosted bananas and ¼ cup of the banana goo.

In a separate bowl, combine the whole wheat flour, baking soda and salt and gradually add the dry ingredients to the creamed mixture. Stir in the toasted walnuts.

Spread into a greased 9×13 inch baking pan. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean Remove from the oven and allow to cool completely in the pan.

While the bars are cooling begin to make the frosting, by beating together the cream cheese, remaining 1/2 c. butter and 2 tsp. vanilla. Once combined, gradually beat in enough confectioners’ sugar to achieve desired consistency. Frost the bars and store them in the refrigerator until you are ready to serve.

Now get into the kitchen and make some moist banana bars with cream cheese frosting. Today is a great day to bake!

Moist Banana Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting

Author: Millason
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes
Yield: 24 bars 1x
Category: Dessert
Method: Bake

Description

Tender, light, and full of banana flavor, you will love these moist banana bars with cream cheese frosting. They are a tried and true CROWD FAVORITE!

Scale

Ingredients

1 cup grass-fed butter, divided in half

1 1/2 cups granulated sugar

2 pasture raised eggs

1 cup sour cream

3 tsp. vanilla extract

2 cups whole wheat flour

1 tsp. baking soda

1/4 tsp. salt

2 medium super ripe bananas, frozen and then defrosted

1 c. walnut pieces, toasted

8 oz. organic cream cheese

3 to 3 1/2 cups confectioners’ sugar

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 350°.

Toast the walnuts for ten minutes or until they become fragrant.

In a separate bowl, combine the whole wheat flour, baking soda and salt and gradually add the dry ingredients to the creamed mixture. Stir in the toasted walnuts.

Spread into a greased 9×13 inch baking pan. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean Remove from the oven and allow to cool completely in the pan.