Friday, April 12, 2013

Fun Food Friday- Banana Bars

Have you ever heard the phrase the quickest way to a man's heart is through his stomach? :)  Well after I met Steve I quickly learned how much he enjoyed eating so I decided I should show him that I could cook. :)  The first thing I ever made that he had was banana bars.  He was definitely a fan and still is to this day.  So if you're looking for a way to a man's heart, these bars are for you. :)  Enjoy!

Ingredients: Bars- Butter, Eggs, Bananas, Salt, Vanilla, Sugar, Milk & Lemon Juice (or Buttermilk), Flour, Baking Soda;
Frosting- Butter, Cream Cheese, Milk, Vanilla, Powdered Sugar
 
First off, the recipe calls for 3/4 cup buttermilk.  I really hate buying a whole jug of buttermilk only to use less than a cup.  So a substitute is to add 1 Tablespoon of Lemon juice to 1 cup of milk and let it set for 10 minutes.  And I like my bars really moist, so I use a whole cup instead of just 3/4 cup.

Okay, once you have your "buttermilk" setting, cream together 1 stick of butter (1/2 cup) ... 

And 1 1/2 cups of sugar...

Until it is nice and smooth

Add 2 eggs one at a time to the creamed mixture...

And mix until again it is nice and smooth

Mash 3 large bananas
 
Add the buttermilk...

And mashed bananas to the creamed mixture...

And watch it all mix together :)
 
In another bowl combine 2 cups of flour...

1/2 teaspoon of salt...

and 1 teaspoon baking soda...
 
And stir together.

 
Gradually add the flour mixture to the creamed mixture and mix until combined

Finally, add 1 teaspoon vanilla...

And mix until it is all combined.

Pour the batter into a greased jelly roll pan...
 
And spread evenly.

Then if there is anything left on the spatula make sure you get every last drop :) 
 
Bake in a 350 degree oven for 20-25 minutes, until a toothpick stuck in the middle comes out clean.

Micah decided he wanted to help with the dishes.  I wonder if they make kitchen gloves in Toddler sizes. :) 

He got bored helping with the dishes.  I continue to wash them and didn't notice how incredibly quiet he had gotten.  Steve came home for lunch and asked if I noticed what Micah was doing.  I look over and see Micah taking all of the Band-Aids out of their wrapper.  Silly boy :) 

For the frosting, cream together 3 ounces of softened cream cheese and 1/4 cup softned butter (half a stick)
 
Gradually add 2 cups of powdered sugar

And mix together until nice and smooth

Add 1 1/2 teaspoons milk...

and 1 teaspoon vanilla...

And mix together for a good 2 minutes until it is smooth and almost fluffy.
 
Spread the frosting onto the cooled bars.

Delicious!

Plate with banana bar=happy man :)

Banana Bars
Bars
1/2 cup butter, softened
1 1/2 cups sugar
2 eggs
3/4 cup buttermilk (I use 1 cup milk + 1 TBS lemon-set for 10 minutes)
3 large bananas, mashed
2 cups flour
1/2 tsp. salt
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. vanilla
 
Cream together butter and sugar.  Add eggs, 1 at a time.  Add buttermilk and mashed bananas, mix well.  In a separate bowl combine flour, salt and soda and mix together.  Add flour mixture gradually to creamed mixture.  Add vanilla.  Pour into a greased jelly roll pan.  Bake at 350 degrees for 20-25 minutes.
 
Frosting
3 ounces cream cheese, softened
1/4 cup butter, softened
2 cups powdered sugar
1 1/2 tsp. milk
1 tsp. vanilla
 
Cream together cream cheese and butter.  Gradually add powdered sugar and mix until smooth.  Add milk and vanilla and mix on high for 2 minutes until smooth and fluffy.  Spread over cooled bars.
 

4 comments:

  1. I think Micah should come and bake with Auntie Tracie!!! He does such a good job!!!

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  2. We are so blessed by your Fun Food Friday posts!!! Micah is so adorable :) It is wonderful to see you enjoying 'your boys.'

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  3. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  4. Those look really good! I'm feeling inspired to bake me some banana bars. Any way I could borrow your cute little assistant? I'm thinking it just won't be as much fun by myself.

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