Featured Recipe - Roasted Banana Bars with Browned Butter-Pecan Frosting

From Cooking Light, this recipe produces a delicious 2 dozen bars, great for weekend snacks, even the Super Bowl festivities.

Ingredients for the bars
  • 2 cups sliced ripe bananas (about 3 medium)
  • 1/3 cup packed dark brown sugar
  • 1 tablespoon butter, chilled and cut into small pieces
  • 2 1/4 cups cake flour
  • 3/4 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/4 cup nonfat buttermilk
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/2 cup butter, softened
  • 1 1/4 cups granulated sugar
  • 2 large eggs
  • Baking spray with flour

Ingredients for the Frosting:
  • 1/4 cup butter
  • 2 cups powdered sugar
  • 1/3 cup (3 ounces) 1/3-less-fat cream cheese, softened
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/4 cup chopped pecans, toasted


Preparation:

  • Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.

  • To prepare bars, combine banana, brown sugar, and 1 tablespoon butter in an 8-inch square baking dish. Bake at 400 degrees F for 35 minutes, stirring after 17 minutes. Cool slightly.

  • Reduce the oven temperature to 375 deg.

  • Weigh or lightly spoon cake flour into dry measuring cups; level with a knife. Combine 9 ounces of flour (about 2 1/4 cups), baking soda, and baking powder in a medium bowl. Combine the banana mixture, buttermilk, and 1 teaspoon vanilla in another medium bowl.

  • Place 1/2 cup butter and granulated sugar in a large bowl; beat with a mixer at medium speed until well blended. Add eggs to granulated sugar mixture; mix well. Add flour mixture to sugar mixture alternating with banana mixture, beginning and ending with flour mixture.

  • Pour batter into a 13 x 9-inch baking pan coated with baking spray. Bake at 375 degrees F for 20 minutes or until a wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool completely in pan on a wire rack.

  • To prepare frosting, melt 1/4 cup butter in a small saucepan over medium heat; cook 4 minutes or until lightly browned. Cool slightly. Combine browned butter, powdered sugar, cream cheese, and 1 teaspoon vanilla in a medium bowl; beat with a mixer until smooth. Spread frosting over cooled bars. Sprinkle with pecans.

Tip: brown the butter in a saucepan to enhance its richness, thus eliminating the need for full-fat creamed cheese.

Print This Page