Name: Banana Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 40 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 2 cups all-purpose flour; 1 teaspoon baking soda; 1/2 teaspoon salt; 1/2 cup butter, softened; 1 1/2 cups white sugar; 2 eggs; 1 cup sour cream; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; 1 cup mashed ripe bananas (about 2-3 bananas); 1 batch cream cheese frosting

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These banana bars with cream cheese frosting are soft, moist, and topped with a rich, tangy layer of cream cheese goodness. I find them to be the perfect solution when I have overripe bananas lying around, and they work beautifully for both casual snacks and special occasions.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

I love how easy these banana bars are to whip up. The texture is more cake-like than traditional banana bread, which makes them feel a bit more indulgent. The cream cheese frosting is smooth, sweet, and a little tangy—just enough to balance the sweet banana flavor. I also enjoy how versatile this recipe is, and it always earns compliments whenever I bring it to a potluck or share it with friends.

Ingredients

(Here's a tip: Check out the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)

All-purpose flour
Baking soda
Salt
Butter, softened
Granulated sugar
Eggs
Sour cream
Vanilla extract
Ripe bananas, mashed (about 2-3)
Cream cheese
Powdered sugar

Directions

I preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking pan.
In a bowl, I whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt.
In a separate large bowl, I beat the butter and sugar together until the mixture is light and fluffy.
I add the eggs one at a time, then stir in the sour cream and vanilla extract.
After mashing the bananas, I fold them into the wet mixture.
I gradually add the dry ingredients to the banana mixture, stirring until just combined.
I pour the batter into the prepared baking pan and spread it out evenly.
I bake for 25–30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
While the bars cool, I make the cream cheese frosting by beating together softened cream cheese, butter, powdered sugar, and vanilla until smooth.
Once the bars are completely cool, I spread the frosting over the top and cut them into squares.

Servings and Timing

This recipe yields about 24 bars. From start to finish, it takes around 40 minutes—10 minutes for prep and 30 minutes for baking.

Variations

I sometimes mix mini chocolate chips or chopped nuts into the batter for extra texture.
If I want a different twist, I swap out the cream cheese frosting for a simple vanilla glaze or even peanut butter frosting.
Adding a pinch of cinnamon or nutmeg gives the bars a cozy, spiced flavor.
For a slightly healthier version, I occasionally substitute Greek yogurt for the sour cream.

Storage/Reheating

I store the frosted bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. If I need to store them longer, I freeze them without frosting and add the topping after thawing. To serve, I let refrigerated bars sit at room temperature for about 10 minutes to soften up before enjoying.

FAQs

How ripe should the bananas be?

I use bananas that are heavily speckled or completely brown. The riper they are, the sweeter and more flavorful the bars turn out.

Can I make the bars ahead of time?

Yes, I often bake the bars a day ahead and frost them just before serving. They actually taste better the next day after the flavors meld.

Can I use low-fat cream cheese?

Yes, I’ve made the frosting with reduced-fat cream cheese and it still tastes great—just slightly less rich.

Are these bars freezer-friendly?

Absolutely. I freeze the unfrosted bars in layers separated by parchment paper. Once thawed, I frost and serve them as usual.

Can I make this recipe gluten-free?

I’ve had success using a 1-to-1 gluten-free flour blend in place of all-purpose flour. The texture is slightly different but still delicious.

Conclusion

I always turn to these banana bars with cream cheese frosting when I want a crowd-pleasing dessert that’s simple but impressive. They’re moist, full of banana flavor, and topped with the perfect creamy frosting. Whether I’m serving them at a party or keeping a batch in the fridge for the week, they never disappoint.

Banana Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting

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Author: Sue
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes
Yield: 24 bars
Category: Dessert
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American
Diet: Vegetarian

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Description

These banana bars with cream cheese frosting are moist, flavorful, and an ideal way to use overripe bananas. Perfect for gatherings or a sweet treat at home.

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9x13x2-inch baking pan with nonstick cooking spray.
In a small bowl, mix flour, baking soda, and salt; set aside.
In a large bowl, beat butter and sugar until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes.
Add eggs, sour cream, and vanilla to the butter mixture and beat well.
Mix in mashed bananas until well combined.
Gradually add dry ingredients to wet mixture, mixing until just incorporated.
Pour batter into prepared pan and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
Allow bars to cool completely before frosting.
Spread cream cheese frosting evenly over the cooled bars.