Banana Bars with Whipped Cream Cheese Frosting

Natalie Fredrick (Nate's wife)

The frosting makes this dessert! It's nice and light for a luncheon or brunch.

BANANA BARS:

• ½ cup butter, softened
• 1 ½ cups white sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1 cup sour cream
• 1 tsp. vanilla
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp. baking soda
• ¼ tsp. salt
• 1 cup mashed ripe bananas (I used three ripe bananas)

WHIPPED CREAM CHEESE FROSTING:

• 1 (8 oz.) pkg. cream cheese, softened to room temperature
• 1 cup white sugar (you can use either granulated sugar or confectioners’ sugar – the confectioners’ sugar tends to dissolve better and not be as grainy but either one works fine)
• 1/8 tsp. salt
• 1 tsp. vanilla
• 1 ½ cups heavy whipping cream

1. Grease a 10 x 15 inch jellyroll pan or one 9 x 13 pan and an additional 8 x 8 pan. In a large bowl, cream together the butter and sugar until smooth. Beat in the eggs, one at a time, then stir in the sour cream and vanilla. Combine the flour, baking soda and salt in a medium bowl; stir into the batter. Finally, mix in the mashed banana. Spread evenly into the prepared pan(s). Bake at 350 degrees for 20 to 25 minutes, until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Allow bars to cool completely before frosting.
2. For the frosting, in a large bowl combine cream cheese, sugar, salt and vanilla. Beat until light and fluffy. Set aside. In another medium bowl, beat whipped cream until stiff peaks form (it helps to use a chilled bowl and chilled beaters). Fold whipped cream into cream cheese mixture. Frost bars when they are cooled completely.