Brown Butter Frosted Banana Bread Bars
Total Time
1 hour 15 minutes
Prep Time
20 minutes
Cook Time
25 minutes
Rating
5 out of 5 stars
(54)
Ingredients
24 bars
- Banana Bread Bars
- 1/2 cup (110g) unsalted butter
- 1 cup (200g) granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup (105g) light brown sugar, packed
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup (250g) sour cream
- 1 1/2 cups (385g) ripe banana, mashed (4-ish bananas)
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp kosher salt
- 2 cups (265g) all purpose flour
- Brown Butter Frosting
- 3/4 cup (170g) unsalted butter (+ 2 tbsp chilled)
- 3 cups (300g) powdered sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/4 cup (60g) milk, room temp
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Preparation
Step 1
Preheat the oven to 350F and grease an 11×15 jelly roll pan.
Step 2
Combining the butter from the banana bread bars and the butter for the frosting (minus the additional 2 tbsp) equates to 1 1/4 cup of butter. Add this butter to a saucepan over medium heat to brown.
Step 3
It will go from melted, to loud and bubbly, to quiet and foamy. Keep stirring until it turns a light amber color.
Step 4
Dividing the browned butter, measure out 1/2 cup for the banana bread bars and pour the remaining brown butter in a mixing bowl. Now drop in the extra 2 tablespoons of butter into the mixing bowl and mix to melt.
Step 5
Place the bowl of brown butter into the refrigerator as it needs to solidify for the frosting.
Step 6
Now pour the 1/2 cup of brown butter (reserved for the bars) into a separate mixing bowl and whisk in the sugar and brown sugar.
Step 7
Then whisk in the eggs, followed by the sour cream, banana, and vanilla.
Step 8
Whisk in the baking soda and salt, followed by the flour.
Step 9
Pour the batter into the prepped pan and spread even.
Step 10
Bake for 25-30 minutes.
Step 11
While the bars cool, make the frosting.
Step 12
By now, the refrigerated bowl of brown butter should be solid but still soft.
Step 13
Using a hand or stand mixer with the whisk attachment, gradually mix in the powdered sugar one cup at a time, followed by the vanilla and milk.
Step 14
Spread the frosting over the slightly warm bars and allow them to cool at room temp for about 30 minutes. Then slice and enjoy!
Step 15
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Chef's notes
Measure the bananas to exactly 1 1/2 cups to ensure accuracy every time.
Make sure to scrape in every last drop of brown butter for full flavor.
Gently spoon the flour into a measuring cup for a light and fluffy cup of flour.
Mix just until the batter comes together for soft and tender bars.
