Banana Bread Bars with Brown Butter Frosting Recipe

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Banana Bars with Frosting

Yields: 12 servings

Ingredients:

For the bars:

• 1 cups white sugar
• 1 cup sour cream
• cup butter, softened
• 2 large eggs
• 1 cups mashed ripe bananas
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• teaspoon salt
• cup chopped walnuts (optional)

For the frosting:

• cup butter
• 4 cups confectioners' sugar
• 3 tablespoons milk
• 1 teaspoons vanilla extract

Directions:

Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350F (175C). Grease and flour a 15x10-inch jelly roll pan.

Step 2: In a large bowl, use an electric mixer to beat together white sugar, sour cream, softened butter, and eggs until the mixture is smooth and creamy.

Step 3: Mix in the mashed bananas and vanilla extract until well combined.

Step 4: Gradually add the flour, baking soda, and salt, mixing for about 1 minute until everything is fully incorporated.

Step 5: If using walnuts, stir them in at this point until evenly distributed.

Step 6: Spread the batter evenly into the prepared pan and bake in the preheated oven for about 27 minutes, or until the bars are golden and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

Step 7: Remove from the oven and let the bars cool completely on a wire rack.

Step 8: While the bars are cooling, prepare the frosting. In a large saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat, stirring occasionally. Let the butter bubble and turn golden brown, which should take 3 to 5 minutes.

Step 9: Remove the saucepan from the heat and whisk in the confectioners' sugar, milk, and vanilla extract until smooth and creamy.

Step 10: Once the bars have cooled completely, spread the frosting evenly over the top.

Step 11: Cut the cooled banana cake into bars and serve.

Nutrition Facts (per serving):

• Calories: 583
• Total Fat: 24g (31% Daily Value)
• Saturated Fat: 13g (65% Daily Value)
• Cholesterol: 80mg (27% Daily Value)
• Sodium: 384mg (17% Daily Value)
• Total Carbohydrate: 90g (33% Daily Value)
• Dietary Fiber: 2g (6% Daily Value)
• Total Sugars: 69g
• Protein: 5g (10% Daily Value)
• Vitamin C: 3mg (3% Daily Value)
• Calcium: 46mg (4% Daily Value)
• Iron: 1mg (8% Daily Value)
• Potassium: 214mg (5% Daily Value)

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

Origin and History

The origins of banana bread are not entirely clear, but it is believed to have emerged during the early 20th century, becoming a popular dish in American homes during the Great Depression. The widespread availability of baking soda and the increasing consumption of ripe bananas made banana bread a pantry staple. Over time, variations emerged, with bakers adding nuts, chocolate chips, or frostings to enhance the flavor. The banana bread bars with brown butter frosting recipe offers a modern twist on the classic banana bread by turning it into a decadent dessert with the rich, nutty flavor of brown butter frosting, adding a luxurious layer of sweetness.

Regional Variations

Banana bread bars with brown butter frosting are a popular treat across many regions in the United States, particularly in the Midwest and South, where banana bread is a long-time favorite. While banana bread itself is a beloved dish in many households, the bar version with frosting has become a trendy option for parties, bake sales, and gatherings. In some regions, its common to add chopped walnuts or pecans to the batter, which adds texture and complements the sweetness of the ripe bananas. Some variations even incorporate spices like cinnamon or nutmeg, which are popular in Southern banana bread recipes. Additionally, while frosting is often optional, the use of brown butter frosting has become increasingly popular in contemporary adaptations, offering a deeper, more complex flavor.

How It Differs From Similar Dishes

Banana bread bars with brown butter frosting differ from traditional banana bread in a few key ways. First, these bars are baked in a jelly roll pan, giving them a denser, more cake-like texture compared to the loaf form of banana bread. The frosting, made with brown butter, sets these bars apart from classic banana bread, which is often served without any frosting. The brown butter adds a rich, toasty flavor that enhances the sweetness of the banana base and creates a unique combination of flavors that are not found in traditional banana bread. The addition of frosting also transforms these bars from a simple snack into a more indulgent dessert.

Where It Is Typically Served

Banana bread bars with brown butter frosting are a versatile dessert and can be served in a variety of settings. They are a popular choice for casual gatherings, family dinners, or as a sweet treat for breakfast or brunch. The bars are also a favorite at bake sales, potlucks, and picnics due to their easy portability and large yield. They can be served at holiday gatherings, especially during the fall and winter months when bananas are at their ripest and baking is a favorite pastime. The moistness of the bars paired with the rich frosting makes them a comforting dessert that appeals to all ages.

Interesting Facts

• Banana bread became especially popular in the 1930s when baking soda and baking powder became widely available and affordable, revolutionizing home baking.
• Bananas were once considered a luxury item in the United States and were only available to the wealthier class before the early 20th century. Today, bananas are one of the most consumed fruits in the world.
• The process of browning butter, known as beurre noisette, is a French technique that adds a nutty flavor to the butter, which pairs beautifully with the bananas in this recipe.
• Many home bakers prefer to use overripe bananas for banana bread, as the higher sugar content in these bananas contributes to a richer flavor and a more moist texture.
• The classic banana bread recipe, as we know it today, was popularized by the brand of baking soda, Arm & Hammer, in their 1930s cookbooks, which helped to make banana bread a household staple.

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