Next time you need to take a sheet pan of dessert somewhere, I vote you make these delicious Frosted Banana Bars. The ingredients are super basic, and the flavor is perfection. That banana-bread-like bar with the sweet buttercream frosting is a classic combination everyone will LOVE! If you’ve got some overripe bananas on your counter or in your freezer, you’re in business…if you don’t, may I recommend these Oatmeal Chocolate Fudge Bars. They are also a huge crowd-pleaser!
Another fun option with this yummy recipe is to use it as a snack instead of a dessert. To do this, you still make it in a large sheet pan, but instead of frosting it, you leave it plain or give it a light dusting of powdered sugar. You could also throw in a few chocolate chips before baking if you want to. This recipe really couldn’t be simpler, and the basic ingredients are most likely things you keep in your pantry. It’s a total keeper, and one you will turn to again and again.
More Great Recipes to use up Ripe Bananas
- Amish Banana Bread
- Banana Bundt Cake with Peanut Butter Frosting and Chocolate Ganache
- Banana Chocolate Chip Pancakes
- Overnight Oatmeal with Banana and Chia Seeds
- Banana Chocolate Chip Muffins
- Classic Banana Bread
- The Best Banana Cookies
- Whole Wheat Banana Muffins with Coconut Oil and Greek Yogurt
- Best Ever Banana Bundt Cake Recipe
- Banana Zucchini Bread {Bikini Bread}
How to Make Frosted Banana Bars
Frequently Asked Questions about Frosted Banana Bars
Can I make this recipe in a 9×13 pan or does it have to be in a sheet Pan?
Yes, you can absolutely make this recipe in a 9×13 pan. It will be twice as thick and will be more difficult to eat as a bar. It would be more like a dense banana cake. The cooking time will need to be increased. It will most likely take an additional 10-15 minutes to cook. The best thing to do would be to start by adding 10 minutes and then checking it in the center with a toothpick. If the toothpick comes out with batter on it, add 3-5 more minutes and check again. Do this until the toothpick comes out clean.
How many Ripe Bananas will I need to make this recipe?
You will need approximately three ripe bananas to make this recipe. It really depends on the size of the bananas. If the bananas you have are really big, you may only need two. If the bananas you have are really small, you may need four. Like most recipes that use ripe bananas, it will not hurt the recipe to have a little less than the recipe calls for or a little more. As far as the amount of banana goes, this recipe is very forgiving.
Can I use whole wheat flour in this recipe?
Yes. If you aren’t used to the slightly different texture whole-wheat flour gives baked goods, I suggest using half whole-wheat flour and half all-purpose flour.
Can I use gluten-free flour In this recipe?
If you have a good blended gluten-free flour, it should be fine. I have personally never tried it, but my sister substitutes a good gluten-free blend that she buys at Costco in most of her favorite baking recipes and gets good results. This recipe shouldn’t be any different.
Do these need to be REFRIGERATED?
No, they do not need to be refrigerated, but they will stay fresh longer if you store them in the fridge. On the counter, they will stay fresh for 2-3 days. In the fridge, they will stay fresh for 4-5.
Can I make these a day or two ahead of when I need them?
Yes. If you do so, keep them completely covered and in the fridge until the day you need them.
Do These Frosted Banana Bars Freeze Well?
These bars do freeze well, but sometimes it can be tricky to freeze things that are frosted and not have issues with the frosting partly coming off or looking a little wet when they defrost. I suggest freezing the bar part unfrosted, and then frosting them when you take them out of the freezer. Anytime you freeze a baked good, you want to make sure it is wrapped well or in an airtight bag. With these bars, it works well to double-wrap the entire pan with plastic wrap and then cover it with foil. If you are only freezing them for a few days, you can skip the tin foil.
Awesome Bars and Cookie Bars
- ½ cup butter, softened
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 3 eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla
- 1⅓ cups mashed bananas (approximately 3 bananas)
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking soda
- ½ tsp salt
- FOR THE FROSTING
- ½ cup butter softened
- 3 cups powdered sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla
- 3-4 tbsp of heavy cream or milk or evaporated milk (any of those will work fine)
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
- Spray a sheet pan (10x15) with cooking spray and set aside.
- In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar for about three minutes.
- Add eggs and vanilla and beat them in until well combined.
- Next, add the flour, baking soda, and salt. Mix in until well combined, careful not to overmix. Stir in the bananas.
- Pour batter into the prepared baking sheet. Bake at 350 degrees for 20-25 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Let cool completely before frosting.
- FOR THE FROSTING
- In a small or medium mixing bowl, beat together the softened butter, powdered sugar, vanilla, and 3 tbsp of the cream or milk. When it is well combined and smooth, check the consistency. You can add an additional tbsp of cream or milk at this point if needed.
- Spread the frosting evenly over the completely cooled bars.
- Enjoy!
Dinners your family will love!
Re Frosted Banana Bars, you mention the bananas in the ilisyed ngredients but NOT in the method please advise at which point the bananas should be incorporated during the mixing process. Thank you.
Hi Jo, sorry about that, thank you for bringing it to my attention. I fixed it in the recipe now. The bananas get stirred in after you mix in the dry ingredients.
I know these will be a hit! Thank you for sharing! I cannot wait to try this with my girls.
#febgiveaway
Awesome! Such a great way to use up those ripe bananas!
THESE ARE THE BEST!! So moist and so hard to stop eating. I made the mistake of putting them in a casserole dish once, they are so much better on a cookie sheet. They stay more moist and taste so good! We will be making this many times in the future, great treat to take to a gathering!
#Maygiveaway
Good to know about the casserole pan! I am sooo glad you love these bars!
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