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Banana Nut Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting stacked on a plate
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Banana Nut Bars Recipe with Cream Cheese Frosting

These easy banana nut bars bake in one 9x13 pan and get topped with thick cream cheese frosting and crushed walnuts. The best way to use up overripe bananas, and so much faster than banana bread.
Prep Time15 minutes
Cook Time25 minutes
cooling and frosting45 minutes
Total Time1 hour 25 minutes
Course: Dessert
Keyword: banana bread bars, easy banana bars recipe, what to do with overripe bananas
Servings: 12 bars
Calories: 375kcal

Equipment

Ingredients

Banana Bars

  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 3 medium ripe bananas
  • 1/3 cup vegetable oil
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 3/4 cup crushed walnuts divided

Cream Cheese Frosting

  • 3 ounces cream cheese softened
  • 5 tablespoons unsalted butter softened
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla
  • 2 cups powdered sugar

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 350°F. Prepare a 9x13-inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray. In a large bowl, mix together the sugar, bananas, vegetable oil, and eggs until smooth and creamy.
    sugar, bananas, vegetable oil, and eggs in a bowl
  • Stir in the flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt until combined.
    flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt added to bowl
  • Fold 1/2 cup of the crushed walnuts into the batter.
    crushed walnuts added to batter
  • Spread the batter evenly into the prepared baking dish. Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Cool completely before adding the frosting.
    batter placed in baking pan

Make the Cream Cheese Frosting

  • Beat together the softened cream cheese, butter, and vanilla until smooth.
    softened cream cheese, butter, and vanilla in a mixing bowl
  • Slowly add the powdered sugar and mix until a thick, creamy frosting forms.
    powdered sugar added to frosting mixture
  • Dollop the frosting over the cooled banana bars and gently spread it to the edges.
    cream cheese frosting spread over cake
  • Sprinkle the remaining 1/4 cup walnuts over the top.
    Banana Nut Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting in a pan
  • Cut into bars and enjoy!

Nutrition

Calories: 375kcal | Carbohydrates: 53g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 18g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 7g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4g | Trans Fat: 0.2g | Cholesterol: 44mg | Sodium: 167mg | Potassium: 180mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 40g | Vitamin A: 245IU | Vitamin C: 3mg | Calcium: 47mg | Iron: 1mg