These Banana Blondies are as addictive as anything I’ve had in my life, and I have to say it took me a little bit by surprise — they look so innocent! But the combination of the very dense banana cake and the very sweet caramel icing is intense. I tested the recipe on 2 consecutive days, and my self control failed miserably. I spent 48 hours in a banana blondie induced coma. Proceed with caution.
I ate these warm out of the oven…I ate them chilled from the fridge the next day…suffice it to say I’ve had them every which way and every way was amazing.
Self control issues aside, I’m so happy with this recipe, it’s reliable and easy to do. if you’re a banana lover, or just happen to know one, this is a must try. There is a ton of banana flavor packed into these slim bars, which also surprises me because I only used one banana. They are moist and dense, almost like a banana fudge, (if that thought doesn’t blow your mind.) They’re good.
If you’ve got one ripe banana, the rest of these bars come together from the pantry. The frosting is a quick cooked caramel, but don’t let that scare you, that just means you melt some butter, brown sugar, and a touch of cream or milk together in a saucepan and heat it to a boil, then whisk in powdered sugar. It’s not fussy at all, but it does set up quickly, so plan to slather it on the cake right away. You can actually cut these and eat them warm, which is unusual for a frosted dessert.
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted
- 1 cup packed brown sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1 cup all purpose flour
- 1/2 cup well mashed banana (about 1 to 1 1/2 bananas)
- 1/4 cup (1/2 stick) unsalted butter
- 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
- 2 Tbsp cream, or milk
- 1 cup powdered (confectioner's) sugar (possibly a little bit more)
Instructions
- Set the oven to 350F
- Cream the butter and sugar together for several minutes until smooth and fluffy. Beat in the egg and vanilla.
- Mix in the mashed banana, and then the flour and salt. Mix just until everything is well blended, don't over mix.
- Spread into an 9x9 square baking dish. I like to spray the dish with baking spray and also line it with parchment paper with long ends so I can lift it out to frost and cut it easily.
- Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, until the center is set. I check with a toothpick.
- Let the cake cool most of the way before you make the frosting.
- To make the caramel frosting put the butter, brown sugar and milk or cream in a small saucepan and melt the butter, whisking all the time. Continue whisking until the mixture comes to a boil, then turn off the heat and add the sifted powdered sugar, whisking until completely smooth. You may need to add a little bit more powdered sugar if it seems very thin.
- Spread it immediately onto the cake, it will set up very quickly.
- Enjoy!
Notes
I found this recipe at My Real Life Kitchen and she got it from Cookies and Cups
Do yourself a favor….make these. ;)
More evidence of my banana obsession…
Banana Cake with Spiced Vanilla Buttercream
Banana Walnut Bread with Nutmeg Glaze
Banana Poppy Seed Cake with Vanilla Bean Frosting
Copy Cat Trader Joe’s ‘Gone Bananas’
27 Comments
Courtney
May 9, 2017 at 5:27 pmThese taste devine! I made them for a Luncheon tomorrow – should I keep them out at room temp or refrigerate overnight?
Sue
May 9, 2017 at 5:40 pmYou can do either, Courtney, I happen to love them refrigerated :)
Shar
January 27, 2017 at 5:37 pmI’ve baked many things over the years and I have to say these are some of the best. Really delicious.
Sue
January 27, 2017 at 9:07 pmThank you Shar <3
Nini
December 20, 2016 at 6:31 amHi, hope you are well.. Thank you to share with us your great recipes. I have to try this recipe so please can you give the quantities in grs.. Here in France we bake and cook in grs.
Catherine
July 21, 2015 at 7:50 pmDear Sue, these blondies look marvelous. Such a nice change from banana bread. xo, Catherine
Katen
July 19, 2015 at 8:03 pmOmg these look amazing
Christine Faber
July 14, 2015 at 1:09 pmDoes this recipe have no leavening?
Joan Hayes
July 14, 2015 at 8:54 amOh my goodness, these look too good to be true! I seriously can’t wait to make these, and I will heed your warning about them being addictive (or at least I’ll try), but no guarantees. ;) Who knows how long these are going to last!
Susan
July 11, 2015 at 5:42 pmThis would be so dangerous in my home! Love how wonderfully fudgey they look!
Helene
July 11, 2015 at 11:59 amAnd the caramel icing looks like fudge, thank you for the recipe!
Toni | BoulderLocavore
July 10, 2015 at 6:32 pmLove a good Blondie and how clever to add bananas. Never would have thought to add them but now that you have they sound divine!
Liz @ Floating Kitchen
July 10, 2015 at 1:59 pmYou can certainly call me a banana lover! So I’m down with these blondies. They look awesome! Love that frosting too!
grace
July 10, 2015 at 7:30 ami want ALL the caramel icing! these look incredible, and not only because of that gloriousness on top. i might age some bananas for this very purpose. :)
Courtney @ NeighborFood
July 9, 2015 at 3:11 pmI also LOVE banana desserts and these are looking fabulous! Now I have a hankering for that pineapple banana bread too. Yowza!
Laura (Tutti Dolci)
July 9, 2015 at 1:53 pmI’m ready for that same coma ;). That caramel icing is everything!
Shari Kelley
July 9, 2015 at 1:35 pmOh my! These look wonderful! I would not be able to have any self control either. Not with that frosting on top of the bars. I love how moist the cake part is too. Pinning to make soon!
Rachel @ Simple Seasonal
July 9, 2015 at 1:28 pmYour Banana Blondies do look addictive! I’m the only banana-treat-lover in my home, so I’m thinking I could get away with keeping the entire batch to myself!
Tricia @ Saving room for dessert
July 9, 2015 at 11:06 amHow did you know that I have almost-rotten bananas at my house? It’s a sign – I need to make these this afternoon :) They are beautiful Sue and love that cooked icing. I doubt my self-control will be any better – oh well!
Linda@ThereandBackAgain
July 9, 2015 at 10:48 amOh my goodness! I want these! Come on bananas…get ripe!
Sue
July 9, 2015 at 10:54 amDo they reeeeeaaalllly have to be ripe??
Angie@Angie's+Recipes
July 9, 2015 at 10:05 amI am not surprised at all that these are addictive, Sue. I love its almost fudgy texture.
Sue
July 9, 2015 at 10:47 amThat was the addictive part, I think! That and the caramel frosting ;)
Jennifer @ Seasons and Suppers
July 9, 2015 at 9:52 amI have a weakness for banana baked goods, so I would have zero will power over these. I will definitely be trying this one :)
Sue
July 9, 2015 at 10:47 amWhat is it about banana? There’s no other fruit like it…
Chris Scheuer
July 9, 2015 at 9:02 amI probably wouldn’t eat any of these. But I’ll take one for my husband and one for my sister and one for my brother and one for my uncle….. oops! my nose is growing real long… Seriously, they look totally amazing – I can see my self going back for “one little sliver” over and over and over!
Sue
July 9, 2015 at 9:26 amThat ‘little sliver’ excuse gets me every time!