Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Banana Bars with Brown Butter Frosting are an irresistible dessert that combines moist banana cake with a rich, nutty brown butter frosting. These bars are perfect for using up overripe bananas and are ideal for potlucks, parties, or a comforting family dessert. The brown butter frosting adds a decadent twist that takes the classic banana flavor to the next level.
ingredients
(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
bananas (ripe and mashed)all-purpose flourgranulated sugarsour creamunsalted buttereggsbaking soda and saltvanilla extractpowdered sugarmilk
directions
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9×13-inch baking pan.
In a mixing bowl, cream together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
Beat in the eggs, then add the mashed bananas, sour cream, and vanilla extract.
In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt.
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the banana mixture and mix until well combined.
Spread the batter evenly into the prepared pan and bake for 25–30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
Allow the banana bars to cool completely before frosting.
To make the brown butter frosting, melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat until golden brown and fragrant.
Remove from heat and whisk in powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and enough milk to reach a spreadable consistency.
Spread the frosting over the cooled banana bars and cut into squares.
Servings and timing
This recipe yields about 24 bars.
Preparation time: 15 minutes
Baking time: 25–30 minutes
Cooling and frosting time: 30 minutes
Total time: 70–75 minutes
Variations
Add chopped walnuts or pecans to the batter for a nutty crunch.
Sprinkle mini chocolate chips on top of the frosting for a sweet twist.
Use Greek yogurt instead of sour cream for a tangy variation.
Add a touch of cinnamon or nutmeg to enhance the banana flavor.
storage/reheating
Store Banana Bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, or refrigerate for up to 1 week.
To freeze, wrap individual bars tightly and store in a freezer-safe bag for up to 2 months.
Thaw at room temperature and serve chilled or slightly warmed.
FAQs
Can I use frozen bananas?
Yes, just thaw and drain any excess liquid before using them in the batter.
What if I don’t have sour cream?
You can substitute with Greek yogurt or buttermilk.
Is brown butter necessary?
Yes, it adds a unique nutty depth to the frosting that enhances the overall flavor.
Can I make these bars gluten-free?
Use a 1:1 gluten-free baking flour to replace the all-purpose flour.
Why did my bars turn out dense?
Overmixing the batter or using underripe bananas can lead to denser bars.
Can I make the frosting ahead of time?
Yes, store it in the fridge and bring it to room temperature before spreading.
Do these bars need to be refrigerated?
Only if you’re storing them for more than 3 days or in a warm climate.
Can I add a cream cheese layer?
Yes, a cream cheese swirl can be added before baking for extra richness.
What kind of bananas are best?
Very ripe, spotty bananas yield the best flavor and moisture.
Are these bars kid-friendly?
Absolutely! Their soft texture and sweet frosting are sure to be a hit.
Conclusion
Banana Bars with Brown Butter Frosting are a perfect balance of comfort and indulgence. Moist, flavorful, and topped with a luscious frosting, these bars are a must-try for banana lovers and dessert fans alike. Whether served at a gathering or enjoyed as a treat at home, they promise delicious results every time.
Print
Banana Bars with Brown Butter Frosting
- Prep Time: 15 mins
- Cook Time: 25 mins
- Total Time: 45 mins (plus cooling)
- Yield: 12–16 bars
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Moist and flavorful banana bars topped with a nutty brown butter frosting for a delicious handheld dessert.
Ingredients
- 1½ cups granulated sugar
- 1 cup sour cream
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened (plus additional for browning)
- 2 large eggs
- 1¾ cups mashed ripe bananas
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 cups all‑purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking soda
- ¾ tsp salt
- ½ cup chopped walnuts (optional)
- Frosting: ½ cup unsalted butter (to brown), 3–4 cups powdered sugar, 1–1½ tsp vanilla extract, 3 Tbsp milk
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 °F. Grease and flour a 15×10″ pan (or line with parchment).
- In a saucepan, melt butter over medium heat until foamy, then until it turns golden brown with nutty aroma; remove from heat.
- Reserve ½ cup of the browned butter for the batter; pour the rest into a bowl and refrigerate for frosting.
- In a large bowl, combine reserved browned butter, sugar, sour cream and eggs; beat until creamy.
- Stir in mashed bananas and vanilla.
- Add flour, baking soda, and salt; mix until just combined. Fold in walnuts if using.
- Spread batter into prepared pan and bake 25–30 min, until a toothpick comes out clean.
- While bars bake, prepare frosting: remove browned butter from fridge; beat in powdered sugar cup by cup, then vanilla and milk until smooth.
- Cool bars slightly, then spread frosting while still warm. Let set before cutting into bars.
Notes
- Use 1½ cups unsalted butter total for browning—half goes into batter, half for frosting.
- Measure bananas by volume (1¾ cups mashed) for consistency.
- Cool frosting butter before using to prevent runoff.
- Store in an airtight container: at room temp up to 3 days or refrigerate up to a week.