Banana Squares

Add peanut butter to frosting.

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup butter, softened
• 2 cups sugar
• 3 eggs
• 1-1/2 cups mashed ripe bananas (about 3 medium)
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• Dash salt
• FROSTING:
• 1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened
• 1/2 cup butter, softened
• 4 cups confectioners' sugar
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract

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Nutritional Facts

1 bar equals 202 calories, 8 g fat (5 g saturated fat), 38 mg cholesterol, 100 mg sodium, 32 g carbohydrate, trace fiber, 2 g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 2 starch, 1-1/2 fat.

Directions

1. In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the eggs, bananas and vanilla. Combine the flour, baking soda and salt; stir into creamed mixture just until blended.
2. Transfer to a greased 15-in. x 10-in. x 1-in. baking pan. Bake at 350° for 20-25 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. Cool in pan on a wire rack.
3. For frosting, in a small bowl, beat cream cheese and butter until fluffy. Add confectioners' sugar and vanilla; beat until smooth. Frost bars. Yield: 3 dozen.

Originally published as Frosted Banana Bars in Taste of Home April/May 1994, p29