Brown Butter Frosted Banana Bars

These scrumptious Brown Butter Frosted Banana Bars are my favorite way to use ripe bananas. This sweet treat stays deliciously moist, thanks to the addition of sour cream in the batter. Finished them off with a mouthwatering brown butter glaze.

You can’t go wrong with these easy-to-make Brown Butter Frosted Banana Bars. It takes just minutes to whip up the creamy and sweet batter. The mashed banana lends it a delicious flavor, which is further enhanced by the addition of vanilla extract. The addition of chopped walnuts gives the bars a nutty flavor. Top the bars with the simple browned butter glaze. You’ll be swooning after just one bite!

These Brown Butter Frosted Banana Bars are perfect as a dessert. You can also enjoy them as a snack, lunchbox treat, or even for breakfast. They are always a hit with both kids and adults. Try more of my recipes that use ripe bananas. Consider trying my easy Banana Cream Pie. You might also enjoy my scrumptious No-Bake Banana Pudding Cheesecake. Don’t miss my cozy Banana Bread.

Ingredients Needed

For The Brownies
Sugar – add sweetness.
Sour Cream – adds moisture and a tangy flavor. I prefer using full-fat sour cream.
Salted Butter – softened, to add creaminess and buttery flavor.
Eggs- act as a binder for the batter.
Ripe Bananas – to add texture, sweetness and flavor to the batter.
Vanilla Extract – to add flavor.
Flour – use all-purpose flour.
Baking Soda – acts as a leavening agent to help the bars rise when baked.
Walnuts – chopped, to add crunch and nutty flavor.

For The Brown Butter Frosting
Butter – a key ingredient that adds a nutty flavor when browned.
Powdered Sugar – helps sweeten the frosting and provides texture .
Vanilla Extract – to add flavor.
Milk – needed liquid to help thin out the frosting.

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.
2. Line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper.
3. In a large mixing bowl, using an electric mixer, cream together the butter and sugar.
4. Add in the sour cream and eggs.
5. Mash the bananas into the mix and add the vanilla.
6. Stir to combine.
7. Add the flour and baking soda, and mix until well combined.
8. Stir in the walnuts.
9. Pour the batter into the prepared pan. Bake for 25-30 minutes. Check doneness by inserting a toothpick in the center. It should come out clean.
10. Remove the dish from the oven and set it aside to cool.
11. Make the frosting by browning one stick of butter in a saucepan over medium heat.
12. Remove from the heat and add in the powdered sugar one cup at a time.
13. Whisk in the vanilla and milk.
14. Pour the frosting all over the cooled bars and spread it out.
15. Cool completely before serving.

Can I Use Frozen Bananas?

Sure! Just let them thaw at room temperature before using. The texture will be different from fresh bananas, but the result will still be fantastic!

Batter Variations

• Replace the sour cream with plain Greek yogurt.
• Swap out the walnuts for chopped pecans or omit them completely.
• Add mini chocolate chips to the batter.
• Add dried fruits, such as raisins or dried cranberries, to the batter.

Frosting And Topping Variations

• Spread the top of the baked and cooled banana bars with softened cream cheese.
• Use your favorite vanilla or chocolate frosting, homemade or store-bought.
• Drizzle the top of the banana bars with warm peanut butter or melted chocolate.
• Decorate the top of the bars, no matter how you frost them, with freshly sliced bananas and/or finely chopped walnuts.
• You can always leave the banana bars unfrosted—they’ll still be amazingly delicious!

Ripe Banana Tip

If you need ripe bananas for a recipe, did you know that you can manually ripen them? Wrap unpeeled bananas in tin foil and bake them at 300°F for approximately 15 minutes. The greener the bananas, the longer you’ll need to bake them until they reach your desired ripeness.

Are These Banana Bars Freezer-Friendly?

Yes. Bake and cool the unfrosted bars and wrap them tightly in a freezer-safe container or bag. Freeze for up to 3 months. Let them thaw completely before frosting with the brown butter glaze.

Storage

Store leftovers in an airtight container on the countertop for 3 days. Alternatively, you can store them in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.

More Easy Banana Recipes

Ultimate Banana Pudding Poke Cake
Banana Split No-Bake Pie
Dirty Banana Cocktail
No-Bake Banana Pudding Cheesecake
No-Bake Banana Split Cake
Best Frosted Banana Walnut Cake
Banana Bread
Banana Bourbon Bread Pudding