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.