If you’re searching for an easy, irresistible banana treat, these Best Ever Banana Bars are exactly what you need. They’re soft, moist and tender, full of banana flavor, and finished with a rich cream cheese frosting.
I’m completely smitten with these bars. A new neighbor who also bakes shared the recipe with me, and after tasting them I knew I had to make and share them with you—she kindly agreed.
Banana Bars
Banana desserts are among my favorites, and these bars deliver everything I love: a tender, cakey texture and an unmistakable banana taste. The secret is using fully ripe bananas—spotty, brown-speckled fruit that’s sweeter and more flavorful than underripe ones.
The batter uses familiar ingredients: butter, water for moisture, granulated and brown sugars, mashed ripe bananas, buttermilk (or a substitute), eggs, vanilla, optional banana extract to boost flavor, baking soda, salt, and all-purpose flour. If you don’t have buttermilk, you can make sour milk by removing 1 tsp from 1/2 cup milk and adding 1 tsp white vinegar or lemon juice; almond milk also works, as my neighbor demonstrated.
These bars are topped with a luxurious cream cheese frosting that’s almost as thick as the bar layer itself—an indulgent ratio that balances the cake perfectly.
Customizing Banana Bars
You can easily adapt this recipe to your taste. Mix-ins like chopped walnuts or pecans add a pleasant crunch; chocolate chips make them more decadent. For purists who prefer pure banana flavor, the bars are just as delightful on their own.
These cakey Best Ever Banana Bars are simple to make and perfect for banana lovers—enjoy!
Best Ever Banana Bars
Ingredients
For the Banana Bars:
- 1 cup (2 sticks OR 16 Tbsp) unsalted butter, cubed
- 1/2 cup water
- 1½ cups granulated white sugar
- 1/2 cup lightly packed light brown sugar
- 1 cup mashed ripe bananas (from about 2-3 medium bananas)
- 1/2 cup buttermilk can substitute sour milk or almond milk
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
- 1/2 tsp banana extract, optional
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
For the Cream Cheese Frosting:
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup (8 Tbsp) unsalted butter, softened
- 2 tsp pure vanilla extract
- 3½ cups confectioners’ sugar
Instructions
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Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line a 15x10x1 rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper and spray the pan and parchment with cooking spray; set aside.
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In a medium saucepan over medium-high heat, combine the butter and water. Bring to a boil so the butter melts completely, then remove from heat and cool for about 5 minutes.
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In a large bowl, whisk together the sugars, mashed bananas, buttermilk, eggs, vanilla, and banana extract (if using) until combined. If you plan to add mix-ins like nuts or chocolate chips, stir them in now.
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In a medium bowl, whisk together the baking soda, salt, and flour. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the banana mixture using a handheld electric mixer, mixing slowly until just combined. Slowly stream in the cooled butter mixture and mix until incorporated.
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Pour the batter into the prepared pan and place on the center oven rack. Put a cookie sheet on a lower rack beneath the pan to catch any drips. Bake 18–25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean or with moist crumbs. Cool completely.
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For the frosting: In a stand mixer bowl, beat the softened cream cheese, softened butter, and vanilla until fluffy (about 1 minute). Gradually add the confectioners’ sugar and beat until light and fluffy. Spread evenly over the cooled bars, cut into squares, and serve. Store covered in the refrigerator for up to about 4 days.
Notes
Banana extract is optional but gives a stronger banana punch if you want it.
If you love banana desserts, these bars are sure to become a new favorite.
Have a super sweet day!
xo, Hayley
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