1. Can I make Banana Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting ahead of time?

Absolutely! These bars are a great make-ahead dessert. You can bake the bars a day in advance, cool them completely, and store them unfrosted at room temperature. Prepare the frosting separately and refrigerate it. When ready to serve, frost the bars for a fresh, bakery-style finish.

2. Why are my banana bars dense or dry?

If your banana bars turned out dense or dry, a few factors could be to blame: overmixing the batter, using underripe bananas, or baking too long. To fix this, use very ripe bananas (with lots of brown spots), mix only until the ingredients combine, and start checking for doneness around the 20-minute mark.

3. How can I make these banana bars healthier?

To make Banana Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting a bit lighter, try substituting part of the butter with unsweetened applesauce, using Greek yogurt instead of sour cream, and reducing the sugar slightly. You can also use a light cream cheese for the frosting without losing the creamy texture and flavor.

Banana Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting – Best Moist Dessert

Name: Banana Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 45 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, softened; 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar; 2 large eggs, room temperature; 1 cup sour cream; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; 2 cups all-purpose flour; 1 teaspoon baking soda; 1/4 teaspoon salt; 2 medium ripe bananas, mashed (about 1 cup); 8 ounces cream cheese, softened; 1/2 cup butter, softened (for frosting); 2 teaspoons vanilla extract (for frosting); 3 3/4 to 4 cups confectioners’ sugar

Description

These Banana Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting are moist, flavorful, and topped with a rich, tangy frosting. Perfect for using up overripe bananas, this dessert combines the comforting sweetness of banana bread with the creamy decadence of cheesecake frosting — ideal for potlucks, family gatherings, or any time you crave something homemade and indulgent.

Ingredients

Scale

1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, softened
1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
2 large eggs, room temperature
1 cup sour cream
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 medium ripe bananas, mashed (about 1 cup)
8 ounces cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup butter, softened (for frosting)
2 teaspoons vanilla extract (for frosting)
3 3/4 to 4 cups confectioners’ sugar

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Instructions

Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 15x10x1-inch baking pan (jelly-roll pan).
In a large bowl, cream the butter and sugar until light and fluffy, about 5 to 7 minutes.
Add the eggs, sour cream, and vanilla extract, and beat until smooth and well combined.
In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, and salt.
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing just until combined.
Fold in the mashed bananas until evenly distributed throughout the batter.
Spread the batter evenly in the prepared pan and bake for 20–25 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
Cool the banana bars completely in the pan before frosting.
For the frosting, beat cream cheese and butter together until fluffy. Add vanilla extract and gradually mix in confectioners’ sugar until smooth and spreadable.
Spread the frosting evenly over cooled bars. Cut into squares and serve. Store leftovers in the refrigerator.

Notes

Use overripe bananas for maximum sweetness and flavor.
Do not overmix the batter; it keeps the bars light and tender.
Allow bars to cool completely before adding frosting to prevent melting.
Frosted bars can be stored in the fridge for up to 4 days.
For added texture, sprinkle chopped walnuts or banana chips on top before serving.

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Category: Dessert
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 bar
Calories: 210
Sugar: 24g
Sodium: 140mg
Fat: 9g
Saturated Fat: 5g
Unsaturated Fat: 3g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 30g
Fiber: 1g
Protein: 3g
Cholesterol: 35mg