Banana bars with cream cheese frosting recipe

Ingredients

• ½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, at room temperature, plus more for the pan
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• ½ cup packed light brown sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1 cup sour cream
• 1½ teaspoons vanilla extract
• 2¼ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• ½ teaspoon baking powder
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 2 cups mashed ripe bananas (5 small bananas)
• ½ cup walnuts, chopped (optional)

• ½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter
• ½ (8-ounce) package cream cheese
• 1½ to 2 cups powdered sugar
• Pinch of salt
• 1½ teaspoons vanilla extract

Make the Bars
1. Preheat the oven to 350°F. Butter a large rimmed baking sheet.
2. In a large bowl, using a hand mixer, cream together the butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar. Add the eggs, sour cream, and vanilla. Mix until well combined.
3. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon. Slowly add the flour mixture to the sugar mixture and stir until smooth. Fold in the bananas (and walnuts, if desired) and mix until just combined.
4. Pour the mixture into the prepared pan and bake for 20 to 25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Let the bars cool completely. You can place the pan in the freezer to speed up the process.
Make the Frosting
5. While the bars are cooling, in a medium bowl, using a hand mixer, beat together the butter and cream cheese. Slowly add the powdered sugar, salt, and vanilla and mix until smooth and creamy.
6. Once the bars have cooled, use a rubber spatula to spread the frosting over them, then slice them into bars. Store in the refrigerator until ready to serve.