My family likes these High Altitude Banana Bars. They are easy to make and of course the cream cheese frosting is the best part! Really, the frosting is the only reason to eat banana bars, in my opinion, hehe! These bars freeze well, and this recipe makes a large pan that is perfect for guests, school lunches, potlucks, or BBQ's. Or a branding meal, if you live on a ranch!
I took out a piece to taste test and photograph, before I remembered to take a photo of the entire pan, sorry about that! Anyways, you get the idea. This is a half-sheet pan, available on Amazon or in Sam's Club. I purchased several at Sam's club and they are wonderful if you do a lot of baking.
How to make High Altitude Banana Bars
Start by peeling and mashing 3 bananas, for a total of 1 cup mashed bananas. The amount doesn't have to be perfect, a bit more or less is not a big deal. Overripe bananas work better because they are sweeter and they mash better.
Next, beat the butter and sugar, then add eggs, bananas, and vanilla. Beat it well and add flour, baking soda, and salt. Mix together well.
Grease a half sheet pan with butter for non-stick baking spray. Spread batter evenly into the pan, and pop into a preheated oven for 20 minutes. If you aren't sure if it's done baking, use this cake baking test.
Cream cheese frosting for banana cake
While the banana bars are baking, mix the cream cheese frosting in a bowl. Beat the butter, vanilla, and cream cheese together till creamy. This works best if the butter and cream cheese are at room temperature.
Then beat in the powdered sugar, and when it is all incorporated, whip on high speed till fluffy.
Allow banana bars to cool to room temperature before spreading on the frosting. If you spread it on while the cake is still warm, it will melt. If you wan the frosting to melt into the cake, by all means spread it hot!
Can I make a banana cake in a 9x13 pan?
I suppose you could. You would probably need to adjust the baking time, but it should work.
I like how sheet cakes are so generous with the slices and yet feeds a lot of people. Also, you get a good amount of frosting to cake ratio, which is very important when we are discussing cream cheese frosting, don't you agree?? Haha!
More banana recipes:
Amish Banana Cream Pie
High Altitude Banana Bread
Banana Carrot Muffins
High Altitude Banana Bars (cream cheese frosting)
Ingredients
- ½ cup butter
- 1½ cup white sugar
- 3 eggs
- 1½ bananas mashed
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 2⅓ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ⅛ teaspoon salt
Cream Cheese Frosting
- ½ cup butter softened
- 8 oz cream cheese softened
- 2 teaspoon vanilla
- 4 cups powdered sugar
Instructions
- Beat butter and sugar together.
- Add eggs, vanilla, and mashed bananas. Mix well.
- Add flour, salt, and baking soda. Mix well.
- Preheat oven to 350°.
- Spray half-sheet baking pan with non-stick baking spray. (baking pan is 18x13 inches) Spread batter evenly into baking sheet.
- Bake for 20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into center of cake comes out clean. Cool to room temperature, then spread with frosting.
Cream cheese frosting
- Beat butter, vanilla, and cream cheese together till smooth.
- Add powdered sugar and mix in, then whip till smooth.
Notes
Nutrition
Simple and tasty way to use up brown bananas! So delicious with cream cheese frosting!