These Brown Butter Banana Bars are a soft and tender dessert that brings together the rich nuttiness of brown butter and the sweet comfort of ripe bananas. The smooth cream cheese frosting makes each bite a little indulgent while still feeling homey and familiar.
This recipe reminds me of the banana cakes my mom used to make when we had a few overripe bananas on the counter. Only this time, the brown butter gives it a cozy twist. Whether it's fall baking season or you just want something sweet any time of year, these bars always hit the spot.
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
Nutty richness: browned butter adds deep caramel flavor that makes these banana bars unforgettable.
Soft texture: the combination of ripe bananas and buttermilk keeps the bars light and moist without being dense.
Creamy topping: the cream cheese frosting gives every bite a smooth, tangy finish that balances the sweetness perfectly.
Key Ingredients for Brown Butter Banana Bars
For a full list of ingredients and instructions, see the recipe card below.
- Ripe bananas: use spotty bananas for the best natural sweetness and flavor.
- Brown butter: melted and browned butter gives the bars a warm, toasty flavor that pairs perfectly with banana.
- Cake flour: keeps the texture light and tender. Ideal for a soft dessert bar.
- Buttermilk: adds tang and moisture while activating the baking soda for lift.
- Cream cheese: used in the frosting to add creaminess and balance the sweetness.
- Toasted pecans: a final sprinkle of nuts adds crunch and a buttery finish.
Ingredient Substitutions
- All-purpose flour canreplace cake flour. The bars will just be slightly denser.
- Sour cream or greek yogurt can stand in for buttermilk.
- Walnuts make a great alternative to pecans for a classic banana nut flavor.
Tips for the Best Banana Bars
- Don't overmix. Stir just until combined to keep the bars light.
- Use very ripe bananas: the riper they are, the sweeter and more flavorful your bars will be.
- Cool completely before frosting: this keeps the cream cheese frosting from melting or becoming too thin.
How to Store
Store leftover banana bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. To serve, bring them to room temperature.
More Easy Banana Desserts You'll Love
If you love my baked treats, you might enjoy my Hummingbird Bundt Cake, Banana Marble Bundt Cake, Banana Walnut Chocolate Chunk Cookies, and Baked Banana Doughnuts with Browned Butter Rum Glaze,
When you make this recipe, please comment below and let me know what you think. I'd love it if you tag me on Instagram @grumpyshoneybunch or #grumpyshoneybunch so I can see your photos!
If you love this recipe, please leave a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ rating
📖 Recipe
Brown Butter Banana Bars
Equipment
- 13x9 inch baking dish
- Medum mixing bowls
- Wire cooling rack
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Ingredients
For the Bars
- 2 cups sliced ripe banana about 3 medium
- ⅓ cup packed dark brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon butter chilled and cut into small pieces
- 9 ounces cake flour about 2 ¼ cups
- ¾ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ¼ cup nonfat buttermilk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ cup butter softened
- 1¼ cups granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- Baking spray with flour
For the Cream Cheese Frosting
- ¼ cup butter
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- ⅓ cup ⅓-less-fat cream cheese , softened
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¼ cup chopped pecans toasted
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°.
- Place banana slices, brown sugar, and 1 tablespoon butter in an 8-inch square baking dish.
- Bake for 35 minutes, stirring after 17 minutes. Cool slightly. Reduce the oven temperature to 375°.
- Lightly spoon cake flour into dry measuring cups; level with a knife. Combine flour, baking soda, and baking powder in a medium bowl. Set aside.
- In another medium bowl, combine banana mixture, buttermilk, and vanilla. Set aside.
- In a large mixing bowl, using an electric mixer on medium speed, mix together the butter and granulated sugar until well blended.
- Add eggs to sugar mixture and mix well. Add flour mixture to sugar mixture to alternating with banana mixture, beginning and ending with flour mixture.
- Pour batter into a 13 x 9-inch baking pan coated with baking spray. Bake for 20 minutes or until a wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean.
- Cool completely in pan on a wire rack. .
To prepare frosting
- Melt 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.
Kevin says
Using roasted bananas is a great idea!
Deb Léger says
Roasting the bananas first sounds awesome. I've got to try this on the weekend! Love your blog!
Christy says
your cake looks amazing! I'm certainly putting this on my menu SOON!