Description
Deliciously moist and rich Ooey Gooey Banana Bars made with ripe bananas, brown sugar, and a buttery base, topped with a luscious salted caramel frosting. Perfect for a sweet treat or dessert that combines banana bread flavors with a decadent caramel twist.
Ingredients
Scale
Bar Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter (melted)
- 2 cups brown sugar
- 2 large eggs (room temperature)
- 2 ripe bananas (mashed)
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
Frosting
- Salted caramel for frosting (quantity as desired)
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Pan: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9×13 inch baking pan thoroughly to prevent sticking and ensure even baking.
- Mix Wet Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the melted unsalted butter and brown sugar. Using an electric mixer, blend these ingredients until the mixture is smooth and creamy. Then, add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition along with the vanilla extract to incorporate flavor evenly.
- Add Dry Ingredients and Bananas: Gradually add the all-purpose flour and kosher salt to the wet mixture, gently mixing until just combined to avoid overworking the batter. Once incorporated, carefully fold in the mashed ripe bananas to maintain the batter’s light texture and infuse a moist banana flavor.
- Bake the Bars: Pour the batter evenly into the prepared baking pan. Place it in the preheated oven and bake for about 45 minutes. Test the doneness by inserting a toothpick into the center; it should come out clean or with only a few moist crumbs attached.
- Cool and Frost: After baking, allow the banana bars to cool completely in the pan. Once cooled, generously spread or drizzle salted caramel over the top as a luscious frosting to add a sweet and salty dimension that complements the banana flavor.
Notes
- Ensure the bananas are very ripe for maximum sweetness and moisture.
- Butter should be melted but not hot to avoid scrambling the eggs.
- Cooling completely before frosting is important to prevent melting the salted caramel.
- You can adjust the amount of salted caramel to preference or substitute with cream cheese frosting for a different flavor profile.
- Store bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerate for up to a week.
