Banana Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting are soft, moist, and made with sweet bananas, brown sugar, and cinnamon for warm, rich flavor. Topped with a luscious maple cream cheese icing with just a hint of cinnamon, this easy recipe is a cozy, comforting dessert-and the perfect way to use up overripe bananas.
Try my Banana Angel Food Cake and Peanut Butter Banana Blondies next!
Want to Save This Recipe?
Enter your email & I'll send it to your inbox. Plus, you'll get more FREE recipes and tips from my Midwestern kitchen to yours!
By submitting this form, you consent to receive emails from Midwestern HomeLife
❤️You're Going to Love These
- Rich flavor. Brown sugar and cinnamon make these easy banana bars extra moist and flavorful.
- Unique frosting. Maple cream cheese icing adds a luscious, cozy twist.
- Easy recipe. Simple ingredients and quick to make anytime.
- Great use for bananas. The tastiest way to use up brown bananas.
Looking for an easy dessert for overripe bananas that isn't banana bread? Try this easy banana bar recipe. The tender banana bars have a moist, soft texture that's slightly cakey, with rich, warm cinnamon and rich brown sugar flavor. A sweet cream cheese frosting with maple syrup tops them off with the perfect cozy finish. It's the best banana bar recipe.
🍌Ingredients
See recipe card at the bottom of the post for the full list of ingredients and exact amounts.
- Oil. Oil instead of butter makes these delicious banana bars extra moist.
- Brown sugar. Most banana bars are made with white sugar. Using half brown sugar adds extra moisture and rich molasses flavor, a delicious complement to the bananas. I like dark brown sugar.
- Mashed bananas. For the sweetest banana flavor, use overripe bananas that are covered in dark brown spots or have turned almost entirely black.
- Sour cream. Sour cream makes these banana cake bars extra tender.
- Cream cheese. Use full-fat brick-style cream cheese, not the spread in a tub -- it's not firm enough. I'm usually a big proponent of store brands, but Philadelphia cream cheese really has the best flavor and texture for a homemade cream cheese frosting recipe.
- Powdered sugar. Sift the powdered sugar to remove lumps so you don't have to mix it for very long. Overmixing can make cream cheese frosting runny. For thicker frosting, add more powdered sugar, ¼ cup at a time.
- Cinnamon. Cinnamon adds even more warm flavor to the maple cream cheese frosting. I also like to sprinkle cinnamon on top of the cake for more flavor and a pretty finish. You can omit it, though, if you prefer.
- Pure maple syrup. For the richest flavor, use pure maple syrup, not pancake syru
🍎Variations or Substitutions
- Instead of oil, you can also use an equal amount of melted and slightly cooled unsalted butter. Browned butter would also be delicious!
- If you don't have brown sugar, use all granulated sugar.
- You can substitute plain Greek yogurt for the sour cream.
- Instead of or in addition to cinnamon, add your favorite warm spices like nutmeg, allspice, or cardamom. Or use a spice blend like my easy homemade pumpkin pie spice or apple pie spice.
- You can easily omit the maple syrup in the cream cheese frosting recipe if you're out or don't enjoy the flavor.
- Mix in a cup of mini chocolate chips or chopped nuts right at the end for added flavor and texture.
🥣How to Make Sour Cream Banana Bars with Maple Cream Cheese Frosting
Step 1: For the banana bars, mix the wet ingredients together in a large mixing bowl. Add the dry ingredients and mix until just combined. Do not overmix.
Step 2: Pour the batter into a 9 x 13 pan coated with nonstick cooking spray. Bake in a preheated oven at 350 for 30-35 minutes. Cool cake in the pan.
Step 3: For the cream cheese frosting, whip the cream cheese and butter until smooth and lump-free. Sift in the powdered sugar and add the cinnamon, vanilla, and maple syrup. Mix until smooth.
Step 4: Use a knife or offset spatula to evenly smooth frosting on top of the cooled banana bars. If desired, sprinkle cinnamon on top of the frosting. Cut cooled bars into squares and serve.
👉Helpful Hint: You can also bake banana bars in a jelly roll pan, just adjust the baking time down to account for the thinner bars.
✅Top Tips
- Soften the cream cheese and butter for the frosting so it whips up smooth and creamy.
- The cream cheese frosting is soft at room temperature. For thicker frosting, beat in more powdered sugar, ¼ cup at a time.
- Do not overmix the cream cheese frosting, or it will become runny.
🎁Storage, Make Ahead & Freezing Instructions
- Storage: Store leftover banana bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
- Make Ahead: Bake the bars, cool completely, and cover tightly. Store in the refrigerator for 1-2 days or freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature. Make the frosting and serve.
- Freeze: Freeze frosted bars uncovered until the frosting is firm. Tightly wrap the bars in plastic wrap, then aluminum foil or a freezer bag and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator.
❓FAQ
Yes! Bake and frost them a day in advance. Store covered in the fridge, then let them come to room temperature before serving.
Yes. Since they're topped with cream cheese frosting, it's best to refrigerate them. Store them covered in the fridge for up to 5 days.
Yes. Freeze unfrosted banana bars tightly wrapped for up to 3 months. Add the maple cream cheese frosting after thawing for best results.
Brown sugar makes them richer and moister than traditional banana bars, and the maple cream cheese frosting adds a cozy twist you won't find elsewhere.
😋More Delicious Banana Recipes
💌Let's Stay in Touch
Follow Midwestern HomeLife on Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest, and subscribe via email to receive all of the latest recipes!
📖 Recipe
Banana Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting
Ingredients
Banana Sour Cream Bars
- ½ cup oil
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- ¾ cup brown sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup mashed banana
- 1 cup sour cream
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Maple Cream Cheese Frosting
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
- ½ cup butter, softened
- 2 ½ cups powdered sugar
- ¼ teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¼ cup pure maple syrup
Instructions
Banana Sour Cream Bars
- Preheat the oven to 350 and spray a 9 x 13 pan with nonstick cooking spray.
- In a large bowl, use an electric mixer to mix the oil, sugars, eggs, banana, sour cream, and vanilla until well combined.
- Add the flour, then sprinkle the cinnamon, baking soda, and salt evenly over the flour. Mix until just combined, do not overmix.
- Pour the cake batter into the prepared pan and spread it in an even layer. Bake for 30-35 minutes until golden brown, the top springs back when gently pressed, and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool completely in the pan, about 2 hours.
Maple Cream Cheese Frosting
- In a large mixing bowl, whip the cream cheese and butter until completely smooth. Sift in the powdered sugar, then add the cinnamon, vanilla, and maple syrup. Mix until smooth -- do not overmix.
- Spread the maple cream cheese frosting evenly over the cooled cake. Serve immediately or chill until later. The frosting is soft at room temperature and firms as it chills.
Notes
- Soften the cream cheese and butter for the frosting so it whips up smooth and creamy.
- The cream cheese frosting is soft at room temperature. For thicker frosting, beat in more powdered sugar, ¼ cup at a time.
- Do not overmix the cream cheese frosting, or it will become runny.
- You can also bake banana bars in a jelly roll pan, just adjust the baking time down to account for the thinner bars.
Leave a Reply