Healthified Frosted Banana Bars
 
Prep time
Cook time
Total time
 
A lighter, healthier version of the original Cream Cheese Frosted Banana Bars without sacrificing taste.
Serves: 3 dozen bars
Ingredients
Bars
  • 3 Tablespoons butter, softened
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 2 eggs
  • 1½ cups mashed ripe bananas (about 3 medium)
  • ¼ cup unsweetened applesauce
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
Frosting
  • 1 package (8 ounces) reduced-fat cream cheese
  • ⅓ cup butter, softened
  • 2 cups confectioners' sugar
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Instructions
  1. In a large bowl, beat butter and sugar until crumbly, about 2 minutes. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition.
  2. Beat in bananas, applesauce, and vanilla. Combine flour, baking soda, and salt; stir into butter mixture until well blended.
  3. Pour batter onto a 15" x 10" x 1" baking pan coated with cooking spray.
  4. Bake at 350 degrees F. for 20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. Cool pan on a wire rack.
  5. For frosting, in a small bowl, beat cream cheese and butter until fluffy. Add confectioners' sugar and vanilla; beat until smooth.
  6. Frost bars. Refrigerate leftovers.
Notes
Over-ripe bananas are the best used in this recipe. Walnuts or pecans make a good addition.



Recipe adapted from Taste of Home.
Nutrition Information
Calories: 149 calories per bar Fat: 4 g fat (3 g saturated fat) 23 mg cholesterol,
Recipe by Pray Cook Blog at https://praycookblog.com/healthified-frosted-banana-bars/