Roasted Banana Bars with Browned Butter–Pecan Frosting |
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Prep Time: 0 Minutes Cook Time: 0 Minutes |
Ready In: 0 Minutes Servings: 2 |
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Category Winner: Desserts. I have been baking banana bars with my mother since I was old enough to stir the batter, so I was pleased when I was able to lighten them for my family and still maintain the original flavor. I browned butter in a saucepan to enhance its richness, thus eliminating the need for full-fat cream cheese. This is a great way to use ripe, speckled bananas. —Lindsay Weiss, Overland Park, KS Ingredients:
2 cups sliced ripe banana (about 3 medium) |
1/3 cup packed dark brown sugar |
1 tablespoon butter, chilled and cut into small pieces |
9 ounces cake flour (about 2 1/4 cups) |
3/4 teaspoon baking soda |
1/2 teaspoon baking powder |
1/4 cup nonfat buttermilk |
1 teaspoon vanilla extract |
1/2 cup butter, softened |
1 1/4 cups granulated sugar |
2 large eggs |
baking spray with flour |
1/4 cup butter |
2 cups powdered sugar |
1/3 cup (3 ounces) 1/3-less-fat cream cheese, softened |
1 teaspoon vanilla extract |
1/4 cup chopped pecans, toasted |
Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 400°.
2. To prepare bars, combine banana, brown sugar, and 1 tablespoon butter in an 8-inch square baking dish. Bake at 400° for 35 minutes, stirring after 17 minutes. Cool slightly.
3. Reduce the oven temperature to 375°.
4. Weigh or lightly spoon cake flour into dry measuring cups; level with a knife. Combine 9 ounces (about 2 1/4 cups) flour, soda, and baking powder in a medium bowl. Combine banana mixture, buttermilk, and 1 teaspoon vanilla in another medium bowl. Place 1/2 cup butter and granulated sugar in a large bowl; beat with a mixer at medium speed until well blended. Add eggs to granulated sugar mixture; mix well. Add flour mixture to sugar mixture alternating with banana mixture, beginning and ending with flour mixture.
5. Pour batter into a 13 x 9–inch baking pan coated with baking spray. Bake at 375° for 20 minutes or until a wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool completely in pan on a wire rack.
6. To prepare frosting, melt 1/4 cup butter in a small saucepan over medium heat; cook 4 minutes or until lightly browned. Cool slightly. Combine browned butter, powdered sugar, cream cheese, and 1 teaspoon vanilla in a medium bowl; beat with a mixer until smooth. Spread frosting over cooled bars. Sprinkle with pecans.
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