Banana Bars with Browned Butter Pecan Frosting
Cake
Banana Bars with Browned Butter Pecan Frosting (Adapted from Land O Lakes)
For the cake
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
12 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
1 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
2 large eggs
1/2 cup sour cream
1 cup mashed ripe bananas
1 teaspoon vanilla
For the frosting
4 tablespoons unsalted butter
2 cups confectioners' sugar
3 ounces cream cheese, softened
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/8 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup chopped pecans, toasted
To make the cake
Preheat oven to 375
In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
In a large mixing bowl, beat together butter and sugars until creamy. Add eggs, one at a time, mixing until combined. Add sour cream, mashed banana, and vanilla - mix until well combined. Add the dry ingredients and stir just until combined.
Scoop the mixture into a 10" x 15" baking pan coated with nonstick spray - spread the top smooth with an off-set spatula. Bake until golden and a toothpick placed in the center comes out mostly clean with a few moist crumbs attached, about 18 to 25 minutes. Place on a wire rack and cool completely.
To make the frosting
In a small saucepan, melt butter over medium - continue to cook, stirring constantly, until the butter releases a nutty aroma and just starts to turn golden about 5 to 6 minutes. Remove and let cool completely.
In a small bowl, mix together browned butter, confectioners' sugar, cream cheese, vanilla, and salt until well combined and smooth. Spread frosting over the bars and sprinkle with pecans.
