Banana Bars with Browned Butter Frosting

I just had to share this recipe with you all, because these banana bars are just so good and I don't want all of you to miss out! These banana bars are my favorite way to use up bananas that are overripe. The other day we had a bunch of bananas that needed to be used, but I wanted to make something different from banana bread. So I decided to try something new, and re-vamp banana bread, which brought me to these super amazing banana bars with browned butter frosting!

Let me do a little explanation about how seriously amazing these bars are. First, you start off with the moist (I know, I know, I hate that word too), cake-y, tender banana bar. Then on top there is a spread of browned butter frosting. Browned butter gives this buttercream frosting a nutty, caramel flavor and leaves pretty golden specks of browned butter swirled through the frosting. The combo of banana and brown butter are a match made in heaven, and I promise that you will not regret making these.

The recipe for these pretty little bars makes a 9x13 pan. It doubles nicely to fill up an 11x17 pan. The process to make these is super quick and easy, so these bars can be whipped up in a pinch. They are perfect for a Sunday afternoon treat, potluck, party, etc.

Making browned butter may sound like a complicated, daunting process, but it is actually super simple! All you have to do is put butter into a saucepan, and simmer it until it starts to form golden flecks in it. Mel's Kitchen Cafe shared an awesome tutorial on how to make browned butter.

I'm not kidding you guys, these are so good. Once I started eating them, I couldn't stop! Just "one bite" resulted in me eating three squares! Let me know if you try them out, I'd love to hear if you loved them as much as I do!

RECIPE:

Banana Bars with Browned Butter Frosting

Ingredients

Banana Bars:

4 tablespoons butter, softened
1/4 cup lightly packed brown sugar
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup sour cream
1 large egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup ripe bananas, mashed (about 1 1/2-2 large bananas)
1 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt

Browned Butter Frosting:

6 tablespoons butter
2 1/2- 3 cups powdered sugar
3/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
3-4 tablespoons heavy whipping cream (milk can be used as a substitute)

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350. Lightly grease 9x13 pan and set aside.

For the bars, cream together the butter, sugars, sour cream, egg, and vanilla until well-combined, about 2 minutes.

Pour in the mashed bananas and mix until combined.

Stir in the flour, baking soda, and salt, and mix for about 1 minute.

Pour the batter into the pan and spread evenly. Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.

While the bars are baking, start the frosting by putting the butter into a saucepan over medium heat. Bring the butter to a gentle simmer, and cook until the solids lightly brown and it has a nutty, caramel-y fragrance.

Immediately remove from heat and transfer to a bowl. Add in the powdered sugar, and vanilla extract, and whip it. Add cream as needed until the frosting reaches a thick but spreadable consistency. Keep mixing until the frosting reaches a smooth and creamy texture,

Once the bars have cooled for 5-10 minutes, spread the frosting on.

Cool the bars to room temperature, and then serve. Enjoy!

*recipe slightly adapted from Mel's Kitchen Cafe*