Description
Deliciously moist and flavorful Chocolate Chip Banana Bars topped with a creamy cream cheese frosting. These bars combine the sweetness of ripe bananas with rich semi-sweet chocolate chips and a smooth, tangy frosting, perfect for dessert or a sweet snack.
Ingredients
Bars
- ½ cup light brown sugar
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- 12 tbsp (1 ½ sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature
- 1 large egg
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 cup mashed banana (about 2 ripe bananas)
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp kosher salt
- 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
Frosting
- 8 oz cream cheese, room temperature
- 8 tbsp (1 stick) unsalted butter, room temperature
- ¼ tsp kosher salt
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 cups sifted powdered sugar
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 10 x 15-inch jelly roll pan thoroughly and set it aside to ensure the bars don’t stick.
- Cream Sugars and Butter: In a large mixing bowl, combine the light brown sugar, granulated sugar, and unsalted butter. Using a stand mixer, hand mixer, or whisk, beat the ingredients together for about 3 minutes until the mixture is light, fluffy, and well combined.
- Add Wet Ingredients: Beat in the egg, vanilla extract, and mashed banana. Mix until all ingredients are fully incorporated. The batter may appear curdled at this stage which is normal.
- Incorporate Dry Ingredients: Add the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and kosher salt to the wet mixture. Gently mix until just combined to avoid overworking the batter. Then fold in the semi-sweet chocolate chips evenly throughout the batter.
- Bake the Bars: Pour the batter into the prepared sheet pan and spread evenly. Place in the preheated oven and bake for 30 to 40 minutes, or until the bars are golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Remove from oven and allow to cool completely in the pan.
- Prepare the Frosting: While the bars cool, beat the cream cheese and butter together in a bowl until light and fluffy. Add vanilla extract, kosher salt, and sifted powdered sugar gradually. Mix until smooth and creamy. Adjust consistency by adding more powdered sugar to thicken or a small amount of milk to thin if needed.
- Frost the Bars: Once the bars have completely cooled, spread the cream cheese frosting evenly over the top. Cover every area for a smooth finish.
- Serve: Slice the frosted bars into 15 squares and serve. Store any leftovers refrigerated.
Notes
- Ensure bananas are very ripe for the best natural sweetness and moisture.
- Do not over-mix the batter once flour is added to keep the bars tender.
- Allow the bars to cool completely before frosting to prevent the frosting from melting.
- You can substitute semi-sweet chocolate chips with dark or milk chocolate chips based on preference.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
