Black Bottom Banana Bars

A little while back, I issued myself a challenge to clear out my pantry and freezer.  I've done a good job with it, but I still was looking to reduce it more.  My guys are infamous for not finishing a bunch of bananas, and the result of that is bags that contain 2 or 3 peeled bananas piling up in the freezer. My go-to is normally banana bread, but I'd printed this recipe a while back, and thought I would give it a try.

I made no changes at all to the recipe.   I was distracted while dividing the batter, so my layers came out a little closer to even.  Doesn't matter.  They're delicious.   They're not super sweet, and they've got fruit, so they're great for breakfast as well as dessert!   I made a single pan, but the next time I make them, I will double it, because they went fast.

Thank you so much to Rene W for sharing the recipe! Do you have an amazing recipe you'd like to submit to Taste of Home? Follow this link and learn how! Want to apply to be a Community Cook?  Check out the requirements and apply here! 

Black Bottom Banana Bars

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup butter, softened
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 1 1/2 cups mashed ripe bananas (about 3 medium)
• 1 1/2 cups flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 cup baking cocoa

Instructions

1. Heat oven to 350º.
2. In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in egg and vanilla. Stir in the bananas.
3. Combine the flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt; add to creamed mixture and mix well.
4. Divide batter in half. Add cocoa to half; spread into a greased 13-in. x 9-in. baking pan.Spoon remaining batter on top and swirl with a knife.
5. Bake at 350° for 25 minutes or until the a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. Cool on a wire rack. Yield: 2-1/2 to 3 dozen.

Notes

Source: http://www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/black-bottom-banana-bars

Other recipes you may enjoy:

This one is well named- Can't Leave Alone Bars!

Double Chocolate Banana Muffins

bananas, cocoa

Dessert, breakfast, snack

American