Banana Nut Bars

Submitted by Martina

"As requested, a recipe for ripe bananas. This one comes from the May/June issue of Country Woman magazine, by Susan Huckaby. It placed 4th overall."

 

• Ready In: 37mins
• Ingredients: 15
• Yields: 36 bars

ingredients

• 1 cup butter or 1 cup margarine, cubed
• 1⁄2 cup water
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 1⁄2 cups sugar
• 1⁄2 cup packed brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 2 eggs
• 1 cup mashed ripe banana
• 1⁄2 cup buttermilk
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1⁄2 cup chopped pecans or 1/2 cup walnuts

• Frosting

• 1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened
• 1⁄2 cup butter or 1/2 cup margarine, softened
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 3 1⁄2 cups confectioners' sugar

directions

1. In a saucepan, bring butter and water to a boil.
2. Remove from heat; set aside.
3. In a mixing bowl, combine the flour, sugars, baking soda, eggs, bananas, buttermilk, and vanilla.
4. Beat until blended.
5. Carefully add butter mixture; mix well.
6. Stir in nuts.
7. Pour into greased 15x10x1 inch baking pan.
8. Bake at 350 degrees for 18-22 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean.
9. Cool on a wire rack.
10. For frosting, in a mixing bowl, beat cream cheese and butter until light and fluffy.
11. Beat in vanilla.
12. Gradually add confectioners' sugar.
13. Spread over bars.
14. Store in fridge.