Banana Bars

Can you guess we had several black bananas? This Banana Bar recipe is really good and adapted from the Lion House Lite Recipe book. The bars are the actual recipe but the frosting I made a few changes to. When making these, use a 9x9 pan. If you have a Pyrex 8x8 they turn out a little too thick and take longer to bake. I'm certain Hottie will prefer the bread to the bars. The bars are a touch more dense than the bread but the flavor is a little richer to go with the denseness.

2/3 C. Sugar
1/2 C. Sour Cream
2 T. Butter, softened
2 egg whites
3/4 C. mashed banana (about 2 normal sized)
1 C. flour
1/4 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. vanilla

Heat oven to 375°F . Spray 9x9" pan. Beat sugar, sour cream, butter, and egg whites in large bowl 1 minute on low speed, scraping bowl occasionally. Beat in bananas and vanilla on low speed 30 seconds. Beat in flour, salt, and baking soda 1 min. Spread in pan. Bake 20-25 minutes til light brown.

I like to frost them while they are still fairly warm. That way the frosting seeps in to the bars. (Adding to the density).

Frosting
1 1/4 C. powdered sugar
1 1/2 T. butter, softened
1 tsp. vanilla
1-2 T. sour cream

Dives did not like this recipe either. She did like the frosting. Bug loved it and quickly devoured it. Nanny loved them and I really like them.

Banana Bread

This is not a recipe I make nearly often enough. It is super easy and both of the girls really like it. Okay, I take that back. Bug really likes the bread and Dives only liked the batter- she wouldn't try the bread. Don't worry, I recognize raw eggs are not good for them so she was limited to one taste.

1 ¾ c flour
2/3 c sugar
2 tsp baking powder
½ tsp soda
¼ tsp salt
2 large bananas, mashed
1/3 c butter
2 T milk
2 large eggs

Mix flour, sugar, baking powder, soda and salt. Add bananas, butter and milk, beat. Add eggs and beat.

Pour into a greased bread pan.

Bake at 350°F for 50 minutes

Of course this bread is best warm. If you aren't fortunate enough to get to eat it straight from the oven, you can pop it into the microwave for 10- 15 seconds. Be careful not to do it too long, or it will get tough.