Easy Frosted Banana Bars
These delicious frosted banana bars are a delightful twist on banana bread. Easy to make, they feature ripe bananas encased in a moist and tender cake with a creamy buttercream frosting. The recipe makes a big batch and is perfect for any celebration.
I have so many banana bread-type recipes here on the blog to showcase my and my family’s love for banana bread. I have a yummy citrus-infused banana bread, coconut banana loaf, dark chocolate banana bread, banana eggnog loaf, and even the official Starbucks banana bread recipe, just to name a few.
I haven’t even mentioned the many variations of banana cakes I have here, too. So, when we needed to bring a delicious dessert for our monthly fellowship meal at church a few months ago, and I had overripe bananas at the counter, it was easy to make another banana recipe—this time cake bars style with all the yummy flair of banana bread! It certainly did not disappoint, as we received compliments, and our friends said they loved the flavors in these frosted banana bars!
While retaining the features of a typical banana bread, these cake bars offer a softer texture and a luscious buttercream topping that will have everyone asking for seconds. The recipe is simple to follow and uses common pantry ingredients, making it ideal for novice and experienced bakers.
Ingredients for Easy Frosted Banana Bars
For the Banana Bars
- Ripe Bananas: Ripe bananas add natural sweetness and a moist, creamy texture to the bars. They are the primary flavor component, providing a rich banana taste.
- Softened Butter: Softened butter contributes to the richness and tenderness of the bars, helping to bind the ingredients together smoothly.
- Sugar: Sugar enhances the sweetness of the bananas and balances the flavors in the bars, ensuring they are not too bland.
- Eggs: Eggs act as a binder, helping to hold the ingredients together and contributing to the structure and moisture of the bars.
- Sour Cream: Sour cream adds moisture and a subtle tanginess to the bars, enhancing their texture and flavor depth.
- Vanilla Extract: Vanilla extract provides a warm, comforting flavor that complements the sweetness of the bananas and enhances the overall aroma of the bars.
- Flour: Flour serves as the base ingredient, providing structure and texture to the bars, allowing them to hold their shape.
- Baking Soda: Baking soda helps to leaven the bars slightly, ensuring they are light and not too dense.
For the Buttercream Frosting
- Butter for Buttercream: The butter in the buttercream frosting adds richness and creaminess, making it smooth and indulgent.
- Confectioners Sugar: Confectioners sugar provides the sweetness and structure to the buttercream frosting, making it light and fluffy.
- Milk: Milk helps to achieve the desired consistency in the buttercream frosting, ensuring it’s neither too thick nor too thin.
- Vanilla Extract in Buttercream: The vanilla extract in the buttercream enhances the flavor and aroma of the frosting, complementing the banana bars nicely.
- Chopped Walnuts (Optional): Chopped walnuts add a crunchy texture and nutty flavor to the bars, providing a nice contrast to the softness of the banana and frosting.
Step-by-Step Instructions to Make This Easy Frosted Banana Bars
For The Frosted Banana Bars:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease a 15-in. X 10-in. X 1-in. baking pan. Set aside.
Whisk flour and baking soda together in a small bowl. Set aside. Add softened butter to the bowl of an electric and beat until creamy.
Pour sugar into the mixing bowl and mix until well combined. Add eggs, sour cream and vanilla extract to the mixing bowl and beat until smooth. Mash bananas with a fork and add to the mixing bowl. Beat until all ingredients are well combined.
Pour dry ingredients into the mixing bowl and continue mixing just until all ingredients are well incorporated and the batter is smooth.
Pour batter into the prepared baking pan and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Let cool completely.
Directions for Buttercream:
- Add butter to the bowl of an electric mixer and beat until creamy.
- Add confectioners sugar, milk, and vanilla and beat until buttercream is smooth and fluffy.
- Frost the cooled bars and top with walnuts (optional).
- Cut into squares, and store any leftovers in an airtight container.
Do you prefer to use cream cheese frosting instead of buttercream? No problem, get our recipe for the ultimate cream cheese frosting here. It’s tried and tested and you’ll love it!
Tips for the Best Frosted Banana Bars
To ensure your banana bars turn out perfectly every time, keep these tips in mind:
- Use overripe bananas: The riper the bananas, the sweeter and more flavorful your bars will be.
- Don’t overmix the batter: Mix just until the ingredients are combined to avoid tough bars.
- Check for doneness: Insert a toothpick into the center of the bars – it should come out clean when they’re ready.
- Cool completely before frosting: This prevents the buttercream from melting and ensures a smooth, even layer.
- Adjust frosting consistency: Add more milk for a thinner frosting or more sugar for a thicker consistency.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make these bars gluten-free?
You can substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend for a gluten-free version of these delicious bars.
How long do frosted banana bars last?
When stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator, these bars can last up to 5 days.
Can I freeze banana bars?
Absolutely! Freeze unfrosted bars for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and frost before serving.
What can I add to the bars for extra flavor?
Try adding chocolate chips, nuts, or dried fruit to the batter for additional texture and flavor.
Can I use a different frosting?
Yes, cream cheese frosting is a popular alternative that pairs well with banana bars3.
These frosted banana bars are a delightful treat combining the best banana bread and cake. With their moist texture, rich banana flavor, and creamy frosting, they’re sure to become a favorite in your recipe collection. Whether you’re baking for a special occasion or just want to enjoy a homemade snack, these bars are the perfect choice. So grab those ripe bananas and start baking—your taste buds will thank you!
Easy Frosted Banana Bars
Ingredients
Banana Bars Ingredients:
- 3 large ripe bananas
- ½ cup butter, softened
- 1 ½ cups sugar
- 3 eggs
- 1 cup Sour Cream
- 1 tsp. Vanilla extract
- 2 cups flour
- 1 tsp. Baking soda
Buttercream Ingredients:
- ½ cup butter, room temp
- 4-5 cups confectioners sugar, adjust amount to desired taste and consistency
- 5 tbsp milk
- 1 tsp. Vanilla extract
- Chopped walnuts for topping, optional
Instructions
For The Banana Bars:
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease a 15-in. X 10-in. X 1-in. baking pan. Set aside.
- Whisk flour and baking soda together in a small bowl. Set aside.
- Add softened butter to the bowl of an electric and beat until creamy. Pour sugar into the mixing bowl and mix until well combined.
- Add eggs, sour cream and vanilla extract to the mixing bowl and beat until smooth.
- Mash bananas with a fork and add to the mixing bowl. Beat until all ingredients are well combined.
- Pour dry ingredients into the mixing bowl and continue mixing just until all ingredients are well incorporated and the batter is smooth.
- Pour batter into the prepared baking pan and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Let cool completely.
For The Buttercream:
- Add butter to the bowl of an electric mixer and beat until creamy. Add confectioners sugar, milk, and vanilla and beat until buttercream is smooth and fluffy.
- Frost the cooled bars and top with walnuts (optional). Cut into squares, and store any leftovers in an airtight container.
Notes
Tips for the Best Frosted Banana Bars
Use overripe bananas: The riper the bananas, the sweeter and more flavorful your bars will be.
Don’t overmix the batter: Mix just until the ingredients are combined to avoid tough bars. Check for doneness: Insert a toothpick into the center of the bars – it should come out clean when they’re ready. Cool completely before frosting: This prevents the buttercream from melting and ensures a smooth, even layer. Adjust frosting consistency: Add more milk for a thinner frosting or more sugar for a thicker consistency. Do you prefer to use cream cheese frosting instead of buttercream? No problem, get our recipe for the ultimate cream cheese frosting here. It’s tried and tested and you’ll love it!Nutrition
Last updated on April 25th, 2025 at 11:40 am
