Banana Bars

Banana Bars with Vanilla Bean Cream Cheese Frosting
Ingredients:
1/2 cup butter, softened
2 cups sugar
3 large eggs, room temperature
1-1/2 cups mashed ripe bananas (about 3 medium)
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt


Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
2. In the bowl of an electric mixer, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
3. Beat in the eggs, bananas, and vanilla.
4. Add flour, baking soda and salt, mixing until just until blended.
5. Transfer to a greased cookie sheet, 15x10x1-in.
6. Bake for 20-25 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool before Frosting.




Vanilla Bean Cream Cheese Frosting

Ingredients:
1/2 cup butter, room temperature
8 ounces cream cheese, room temperature
1 1/2 teaspoon vanilla bean paste
2 pounds powdered sugar
Evaporated milk


Directions:
1. In bowl of electric mixer, beat butter and cream cheese until light and fluffy.
2. Add vanilla bean paste and a few cups of powdered sugar. Beat until combined.
3. Slowly add the remaining powdered sugar and evaporated milk until all sugar is used and desired spreading consistency is reached. You will probably need about 1/4 cup to 1/2 cup evaporated milk.
4. Spread onto cooled banana bars.

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