Low-fat Banana Bars

viking's Note:

This recipe is my favorite way to use overly-ripened bananas.

• Total Time: 40 mins
• Prep Time: 10 mins
• Cook Time: 30 mins

Ingredients:

Servings: 16

• 1 1/2 cups flour
• 1 cup sugar
• 1/4 cup applesauce
• 1/4 cup margarine
• 1 egg
• 1/3 cup milk
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon lemon juice
• 1 very ripe banana
• finely chopped walnuts, if desired

BANANA FROSTING

• 2 tablespoons margarine
• 2 cups powdered sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 1/2 medium banana, mashed

Directions:

1. Mash banana and lemon juice together.
2. Combine all ingredients and beat for 2 minutes at medium speed.
3. Spread in a greased 9 x 13 inch pan.
4. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes at 350 degrees.
5. Combine all frosting ingredients and frost when bars are cool.
6. Sprinkle with walnuts if desired.

Reviews

[sellersfam4]

YUM!!! These were great! I kept staring at the 2 bananas that needed to be eaten, and then this came along. I added cinnamon to the mix and to the icing, as well as another icing change (less sugar and had some honey nut flavored cream cheese in the fridge that also needed to be used). Everything came out great. The best part is, these are really filling as well. We had a late breakfast and actually skipped lunch because no one was hungry, no snack either. Kids, myself, and hubby were completely full until dinner-we ate 2 bars each at breakfast. Will definately make again and again!

[Chris from Kansas]

These banana bars are really good and easy. I used just half the frosting and left in the 1/2 of banana so they wouldn't be quite so sweet. Worked great. My 5 year-old niece liked these so much she asked for them again the next day.

[Pam-I-Am]

These were amazing!!! I was getting tired of the ole banana bread routine and I'm so glad I tried these. Only change I made was using a low-fat margarine and I added 2 tablespoons of plain yogurt. This turned out to be a nice dense brownie-like texure. The frosting was terrific too. I'm so glad to have a light dessert option with these. I think next time I may reduce the calories by just topping with powdered sugar.