Here's a wonderfully easy and extraordinarily tasty little bar recipe that I tried this week. I needed to use up some over-ripe bananas and was in the mood to try something different. Since I am traveling right now and not in possession of my collection of cookbooks, I moseyed on over to Tastespotting and searched for photos with the keyword "banana". So... this recipe is comes courtesy of Cooking Classy and it is definitely a keeper! Enjoy!
For the base:
1 1/4 cup flour
3/4 cup sugar
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/3 cup sour cream
1/4 cup vegetable oil
2 tablespoons applesauce
1 egg
1 cup over-ripe mashed bananas (about 2 large bananas)
For the frosting:
3 ounces cream cheese, softened
3 tablespoons butter, softened
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
1 3/4 cups powdered sugar
1/2 cup pecans, lightly toasted and chopped
Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Combine all ingredients for the base in a large mixing bowl. Mix with an electric mixer for 2 minutes. Pour mixture in to a buttered 13x9 inch baking pan and spread evenly. Bake about 20-25 minutes...until edges are just beginning to turn golden and center is puffed and set. Cool completely.
Mix the 5 frosting ingredients together in a medium bowl. Whip until fluffy. Spread evenly over cooled banana base and sprinkle with chopped pecans.
