Roasted Banana Bars With Cream Cheese Frosting
 
 
Roasting bananas first brings out a richness that makes these bars outstanding!
Serves: 24-30 bars
Ingredients
Roasted bananas:
  • 4 cups sliced ripe bananas (about 6 medium)
  • ⅔ cup packed dark brown sugar
  • 2 Tablespoons butter, cut into small pieces
Cake ingredients:
  • 2¼ cups all-purpose flour
  • 2¼ cups cake flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1½ teaspoons baking soda
  • ½ cup buttermilk (non-fat or regular)
  • ½ cup butter, softened
  • 2 cups granulated sugar
  • 4 large eggs
  • ½ cup crushed pecans
Frosting:
  • ⅓ cup butter, softened
  • 4 ounces cream cheese
  • 4 cups powdered sugar
  • 2 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 to 2 Tablespoons Milk to desired consistency
Instructions
  1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
  2. Combine sliced bananas, brown sugar and butter in a 9" x 13" baking pan, roast at 400 degrees F. for 35 minutes, stirring about half way through. Cool slightly.
  3. Reduce the oven to 375 degrees F.
  4. In the bowl of the electric mixer combine butter and sugar. Beat until light and fluffy. Add eggs, beating until well mixed.
  5. Combine flours, baking soda, pecans, and baking powder, in the bowl of the electric mixer.
  6. Combine cooled roasted bananas with buttermilk and vanilla.
  7. Alternate banana mixture and flour mixture into the butter/sugar/eggs in electric mixer until all ingredients are combined.
  8. Pour batter into a bakers half sheet that has been prepared with baking spray. Bake at 375 degrees F. for 25 to 30 minutes or until wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool completely on wire rack.
  9. Prepare frosting: Combine butter and cream cheese in bowl of electric mixer. Beat until well combined. Add powdered sugar and vanilla. Beat well. Add milk 1 tablespoon at a time until desired consistency is reached.
  10. Frost cooled banana bars and enjoy!
Notes
Vanilla Coffee-Mate is an excellent substitute for the milk in the frosting.
Recipe by Pray Cook Blog at https://praycookblog.com/roasted-banana-bars-and-christmas-in-july/