Banana Bread Bars

Banana bread is one of those reliable old baking standbys that seems to please pretty much everybody. But that’s the thing – if I stuck to recipes that were old and reliable, this wouldn’t be a very interesting blog, now would it?

My original intent was to make a fairly standard banana bread, just to see how it goes. While searching for a good looking recipe, I came across something considerably more interesting and unique – banana bread in bar form, topped with a browned butter frosting. Almost brownie-like. I knew this was the recipe for me right away, so after a quick trip to the market for bananas, I set about the task of baking these suckers.

Recipe adapted from Life’s Simple Measures

Difficulty: Relatively Easy
Active Prep Time: About 30 minutes
Total Prep Time: About 1½ hours
Special Equipment: Kitchen Aide Stand Mixer (optional)
Serves: About 20

Batter Ingredients:

• 1½ cups sugar
• 1 cup sour cream
• ½ cup butter, softened
• 2 eggs
• 3 - 4 ripe bananas, mashed
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 2 cups all purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon. baking soda
• 3/4 teaspoon salt

Frosting Ingredients:

• ½ cup butter
• 4 cups powdered sugar
• 1½ teaspoons vanilla extract
• 3 tablespoons milk

Instructions:

(Begin with batter)

1.  Pre-heat oven to 375F. Grease and flour 15x10-inch jelly roll pan. (The largest pan I have is 14x9 inch, but it worked out fine)

2. In a medium bowl, mash up the bananas and set aside.

3. In a large bowl, beat together sugar, sour cream, butter, and eggs until creamy. (If you’re using a stand mixer, mix on low for 1 – 2 minutes)

4. Blend in bananas and vanilla extract. Add flour, baking soda, salt, and blend for 1 minute.

5.  Spread batter evenly into pan. Bake 20 to 25 minutes or until golden brown. Remove from oven and place on a rack for 10 – 15 minutes.

(Move onto the frosting)

6.  Heat butter in a large saucepan over medium heat until boiling. Let the butter turn a delicate brown and remove from heat immediately.

7.  Add powdered sugar, vanilla extract and milk. Whisk together until smooth (it should be thicker than a glaze but thinner than frosting). 

8. Using a spatula, spread the brown butter frosting over the warm bars. You’ll have an easier time spreading the frosting if the bars are still warm.

9. Wait an additional 30 minutes before slicing and serving.