Banana Nut Bars

Total Time Prep: 15 min. Bake: 20 min.
Yield 3 dozen
Contest Winner
Test Kitchen Approved
My sister gave me this recipe, which is always in demand with family, friends and co-workers. It's amazing how fast these tempting bars vanish when I serve them! The cream cheese frosting is heavenly.

Ingredients

  • 1 cup butter, cubed
  • 1/2 cup water
  • 1-1/2 cups sugar
  • 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
  • 1 cup mashed ripe bananas (about 2 medium)
  • 1/2 cup buttermilk
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 cup chopped pecans or walnuts
  • FROSTING:
  • 1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened
  • 1/2 cup butter, softened
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 3-1/2 cups confectioners' sugar

Directions

  1. In a small saucepan, bring butter and water to a boil. Remove from the heat; set aside. In a large bowl, beat the sugars, bananas, buttermilk, eggs and vanilla until blended. Combine flour and baking soda; gradually add to sugar mixture. Beat in butter mixture until blended. Stir in nuts.
  2. Pour into a greased 15x10x1-in. baking pan. Bake at 350° for 18-22 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool on a wire rack.
  3. For frosting, in a large bowl, beat cream cheese and butter until light and fluffy. Beat in vanilla. Gradually add confectioners' sugar until smooth. Spread over bars. Store in the refrigerator.

Nutrition Facts

1 bar: 226 calories, 11g fat (6g saturated fat), 39mg cholesterol, 139mg sodium, 30g carbohydrate (24g sugars, 1g fiber), 2g protein.

My sister gave me this recipe, which is always in demand with family, friends and co-workers. It's amazing how fast these tempting bars vanish when I serve them! The cream cheese frosting is heavenly.
Recipe Creator

© 2025 RDA Enthusiast Brands, LLC