Banana bread is one of my family’s favorite treats. In fact, I think they avoid eating bananas and let them get over ripe purposely just so that I’ll have to make banana bread so they don’t go to waste. I know it’s time to get baking when one of my kids (usually my middle son) says, “Mom, did you see the bananas? Looks like we need some banana bread.” They are such stinkers aren’t they?

Anyway, the last time I had over ripe bananas, I changed things up and made these banana bars with browned butter frosting. I thought it would be a such fun treat for them. My kids came scurrying into the kitchen when they smelled the bars cooling ready to dive in and were less than impressed with the pan of bars sitting on the counter.

“Noooo, what are these? Where’s the banana bread? Banana bars?!”

I couldn’t believe they were so disappointed. as they walked out of the kitchen with no interest what so ever. “Just wait until they are frosted,” I told them. Which is actually a big thing for me because I’m kind of picky about frosting. This browned butter frosting is amazing though. It’s deep rich flavor complements the banana bars perfectly. I made the frosting, called them up and had them each try a bite.

The youngest two were sold pretty easily. The said, “these are like banana brownies… with frosting. Ohhhh, yummy!”

My oldest, who like his mom, would rather skip the frosting most times, was a little more difficult to convince. But after his first bite, he agreed that this frosting was something special. As a matter of fact, I caught him sneaking a bar for breakfast the next morning. It was one of moments I didn’t know if I should high five him or scold him.

This frosting isn’t your average frosting. It transforms these bars into something extraordinary. This is one of those recipes you keep handy for potlucks, barbecues, or other parties because it feeds a crowd and never ever disappoints. If you’ve been looking for a new treat to add to your arsenal, definitely give these Banana Bars with Browned Butter Frosting try.

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Banana Bars with Browned Butter Frosting

These delicious banana bars feed a crowd and never disappoint. Don't skip the frosting - it makes these extraordinary.

Author: Jasey's Crazy Daisy

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cups sugar
• 1 cup sour cream
• 1/2 cup butter, softened
• 2 large eggs
• 1 1/2 cups mashed bananas, about 3 large over ripe bananas
• 2 teaspoons vanilla
• 2 cups flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 3/4 teaspoon salt

Browned Butter Frosting

• 1/2 cup butter
• 4 cups powdered sugar
• 2 teaspoons vanilla
• 6 Tablespoons milk

Instructions

1. Heat oven to 375 degrees. Grease and flour and jelly roll baking sheet. Mix sugar, sour cream, butter, and eggs on low speed, for 1 minute. Make sure to scrape the bowl a few times to help get everything mixed together.  Beat in bananas and vanilla on low for about 30 seconds. Using medium speed, beat in flour, soda, and salt for about a minute, scraping the bowl occasionally. Spread in prepared pan and bake for 20-25 minutes or until light brown and the center springs back when lightly touched. Set to cool.

Browned Butter Frosting

1. Using a small skillet, heat butter over medium heat until it turns a light brown color. Remove from heat. Mix in powdered sugar. Add vanilla and 3 Tablespoons of milk until smooth. Add additional milk a Tablespoon at a time until desired spreading consistency is reached. Pour frosting evenly over the surface of the brownies. Use spatula or the back of a spoon to finish spreading frosting over brownies. Let frosting set. Slice into bars. Frosting can be poured over brownies that have cooled a little but are still slightly warm. I usually start making the frosting a few minutes after I pull the bars out of the oven.  Enjoy

Recipe Notes

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