Description
Delicious and moist Banana Cream Cheese Bars that combine the natural sweetness of ripe bananas with a creamy, tangy cream cheese layer. Perfect as a dessert or snack, these bars feature a beautiful marbled effect and are easy to make with simple ingredients.
Ingredients
Scale
Banana Batter
- 1 cup mashed ripe bananas (about 2 large bananas)
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter (softened)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 large eggs
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Cream Cheese Layer
- 8 oz cream cheese (softened)
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Pan: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish to ensure the bars don’t stick.
- Make Banana Batter: In a large bowl, beat the softened butter and 1 cup of sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy. Add the mashed bananas, vanilla extract, and eggs, mixing until smooth and well combined.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt to evenly distribute the leavening agent and salt.
- Combine Batter: Gradually add the dry flour mixture into the banana batter, stirring just until incorporated to avoid overmixing.
- Layer Batter: Pour about two-thirds of the banana batter into the prepared baking dish, spreading it evenly with a spatula.
- Prepare Cream Cheese Layer: In another bowl, beat the cream cheese until smooth and creamy. Add 1/4 cup sugar, 1 egg, and 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract, mixing thoroughly until the mixture is creamy and lump-free.
- Spread Cream Cheese: Carefully spread the cream cheese mixture over the banana batter layer in the pan, avoiding mixing the two layers completely.
- Add Remaining Batter and Marble: Spoon the remaining banana batter on top in small dollops. Using a knife, gently swirl the top batter and cream cheese layer together to create a beautiful marbled effect.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 28–32 minutes, or until the center is set and a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean.
- Cool and Serve: Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan before cutting into 16 bars to serve.
Notes
- For extra flavor, add 1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon to the banana batter.
- Bars can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 5 days or frozen for up to 2 months for longer preservation.
