Roasted Banana Bars with Browned Butter–Pecan Frosting
Ingredients
For the Banana Bars:
2cupssliced ripe banana, about 3 medium
1/3cuppacked dark brown sugar
1tablespoonbutter, chilled and cut into small pieces
2 1/4cupscake flour
3/4teaspoonbaking soda
1/2teaspoonbaking powder
1/2teaspooncinnamon
1/4cupbuttermilk
1teaspoonvanilla extract
1/2cupbutter, softened
1 1/4cupsgranulated sugar
2large eggs
For the Browned Butter–Pecan Frosting:
1/4cupbutter
2cupspowdered sugar
1/3cupcream cheese, softened
1teaspoonvanilla extract
1/4cupchopped pecans, toasted
Instructions
Preheat oven to 400°.
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.
Reduce the oven temperature to 375°.
In a large bowl, combine flour, soda, baking powder, and cinnamon; set aside
In another medium bowl, combine banana mixture, buttermilk, and 1 teaspoon vanilla; set aside.
In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat butter and sugar at medium speed until well blended. Add eggs; mix well. Add flour mixture to sugar mixture alternating with banana mixture, beginning and ending with flour mixture.
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.
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.