Roasted Banana Bars With Browned Butter–pecan Frosting

Total Time: 20 mins Cook Time: 20 mins

Ingredients

• 2 cups sliced ripe bananas (about 3 medium)
• 1/3 cup dark brown sugar
• 1 tablespoon butter, chilled and cut into small pieces
• 9 ounces cake flour (about 2 1/4 cups)
• 3/4 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/4 cup fat-free buttermilk
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup butter, softened
• 1 1/4 cups granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs
• baking spray with flour
• 1/4 cup butter
• 2 cups powdered sugar
• 1/3 cup reduced-fat cream cheese, softened
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/4 cup pecans, chopped and toasted

Recipe

• 1 preheat oven to 400°.
• 2 to prepare bars, combine banana, brown sugar, and 1 tablespoon butter in an 8-inch square baking dish. bake at 400° for 35 minutes, stirring after 17 minutes. cool slightly.
• 3 reduce the oven temperature to 375°.
• 4 weigh or lightly spoon cake flour into dry measuring cups; level with a knife. combine 9 ounces (about 2 1/4 cups) flour, soda, and baking powder in a medium bowl. combine banana mixture, buttermilk, and 1 teaspoon vanilla in another medium bowl. place 1/2 cup butter and granulated sugar in a large bowl; beat with a mixer at medium speed until well blended. add eggs to granulated sugar mixture; mix well. add flour mixture to sugar mixture alternating with banana mixture, beginning and ending with flour mixture.
• 5 pour batter into a 13 x 9–inch baking pan coated with baking spray. bake at 375° for 20 minutes or until a wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. cool completely in pan on a wire rack.
• 6 to prepare frosting, melt 1/4 cup butter in a small saucepan over medium heat; cook 4 minutes or until lightly browned. cool slightly. combine browned butter, powdered sugar, cream cheese, and 1 teaspoon vanilla in a medium bowl; beat with a mixer until smooth. spread frosting over cooled bars. sprinkle with pecans.