Ooey Gooey Banana Bars
Ooey Gooey Banana Bars are a delightful dessert that perfectly blends sweetness and moisture. These bars are ideal for any occasion, from casual family gatherings to festive celebrations. Their rich banana flavor, combined with a luscious salted caramel buttercream frosting, makes them a standout treat that everyone will love.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Deliciously Moist: The ripe bananas ensure that every bite remains soft and moist.
- Easy to Make: With simple ingredients and straightforward steps, you can whip these up in no time.
- Versatile Treat: Perfect for parties, potlucks, or just a sweet snack at home.
- Gourmet Touch: The homemade salted caramel buttercream adds an impressive finish that elevates these bars.
- Kid-Friendly: A great way to get kids involved in the kitchen while enjoying a tasty treat together.
Tools and Preparation
Before you start baking your Ooey Gooey Banana Bars, make sure you have the right tools on hand. This will streamline your process and ensure everything goes smoothly.
Essential Tools and Equipment
- Mixing bowls
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Whisk or electric mixer
- 9×13-inch baking pan
- Spatula
Importance of Each Tool
- Mixing bowls: Essential for combining your ingredients without mess.
- Measuring cups and spoons: Accurate measurements are key for the perfect balance in flavors.
- Whisk or electric mixer: Helps achieve a smooth batter quickly, ensuring even mixing.
- 9×13-inch baking pan: The right size ensures even baking and proper texture.
Ingredients
Ooey Gooey Banana Bars are sweet and moist dessert bars that are loaded with bananas and frosted with homemade salted caramel buttercream.
For the Bars
- 1 cup (2 sticks / 227 g) unsalted butter, (melted)
- 2 cups (400 g) brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 2 large eggs, (room temperature)
- 2 cups (250 g) all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 2 ripe bananas, (mashed, some chunks are okay (about ⅔ cup))
For the Frosting
- ½ cup (1 stick / 113g) unsalted butter, (room temperature)
- 2 cups (250 g) confectioners’ sugar, (sifted)
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ cup (82 g) caramel topping
- 1 ½ teaspoons whole milk, (as needed)
How to Make Ooey Gooey Banana Bars
Step 1: Preheat the Oven
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). This ensures that your bars bake evenly from the start.
Step 2: Prepare the Baking Pan
Grease a 9×13-inch baking pan with butter or cooking spray. This prevents sticking and helps achieve nice edges.
Step 3: Mix Wet Ingredients
In a large mixing bowl, combine melted butter, brown sugar, vanilla extract, and eggs. Whisk until smooth and well combined.
Step 4: Add Dry Ingredients
Gradually add flour and kosher salt to the wet mixture. Stir until just combined, ensuring not to overmix.
Step 5: Incorporate Bananas
Gently fold in the mashed bananas. It’s okay if there are some small chunks; they add texture!
Step 6: Bake the Bars
Pour the batter into your prepared baking pan. Bake for about 45 minutes or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
Step 7: Cool and Frost
Let the bars cool completely before frosting. To make the frosting, beat together room temperature butter, sifted confectioners’ sugar, kosher salt, caramel topping, and milk until creamy. Spread evenly over cooled bars.
Enjoy these delicious Ooey Gooey Banana Bars as a perfect ending to any meal!
How to Serve Ooey Gooey Banana Bars
Ooey Gooey Banana Bars are perfect for any occasion, whether it’s a casual family gathering or a festive celebration. Here are some delightful serving suggestions to enhance your dessert experience.
With a Scoop of Ice Cream
- Vanilla Ice Cream: The classic choice that complements the sweetness of the bars.
- Caramel Swirl Ice Cream: Adds an extra layer of flavor that pairs wonderfully with the caramel buttercream.
Drizzled with Extra Caramel
- Warm Caramel Sauce: A warm drizzle brings out the gooey texture of the bars and enhances the flavor.
- Chocolate Sauce: For chocolate lovers, a drizzle of rich chocolate sauce can elevate this dessert.
Topped with Fresh Bananas
- Sliced Bananas: Fresh banana slices on top add freshness and visual appeal.
- Banana Chips: Crunchy banana chips provide a nice contrast to the soft bars.
Served with Whipped Cream
- Fresh Whipped Cream: A dollop of whipped cream adds lightness and balances the richness of the bars.
- Flavored Whipped Cream: Consider adding vanilla or cinnamon for an extra twist.
How to Perfect Ooey Gooey Banana Bars
To ensure your Ooey Gooey Banana Bars turn out perfectly every time, consider these helpful tips.
- Use Overripe Bananas: The riper your bananas, the sweeter and more flavorful your bars will be.
- Measure Ingredients Accurately: Use kitchen scales or measuring cups for precise measurements to achieve ideal texture.
- Don’t Overmix: Mix just until combined to keep the bars moist and tender; overmixing can result in denser bars.
- Cool Completely Before Frosting: Allow your bars to cool fully before frosting them to prevent melting and sliding off.
- Store Properly: Keep leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to three days or refrigerate for longer freshness.
- Experiment with Toppings: Feel free to try nuts, chocolate chips, or different frostings for personalized flavors.
Best Side Dishes for Ooey Gooey Banana Bars
While Ooey Gooey Banana Bars are delicious on their own, pairing them with side dishes can create a well-rounded dessert experience. Here are some great options:
- Fresh Fruit Salad: A mix of seasonal fruits provides a refreshing contrast to the richness of the bars.
- Yogurt Parfait: Layers of yogurt and granola add crunch and creaminess that balance the sweet dessert.
- Coconut Macaroons: Chewy macaroons complement the banana flavor while adding texture.
- Chocolate Fondue: Dip pieces of banana bars into warm chocolate for an indulgent treat.
- Cheese Platter: Sharp cheeses can offer a savory balance against sweet desserts like these bars.
- Coffee or Espresso: A strong cup of coffee enhances flavors and provides a lovely finish after enjoying dessert.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Making Ooey Gooey Banana Bars can be simple, but there are common pitfalls to watch out for. Here are some mistakes to avoid:
- Using Overripe Bananas: Overripe bananas can make the bars too mushy. Aim for ripe but firm bananas for the best texture.
- Skipping the Salt: Salt enhances the flavor of your bars. Don’t skip the kosher salt in both the batter and frosting for a balanced taste.
- Not Measuring Ingredients Accurately: Baking is a science. Use a kitchen scale or measuring cups to ensure you have the right amounts of each ingredient.
- Frosting While Warm: Frosting your bars when they’re still warm can cause it to melt off. Allow them to cool completely before applying the salted caramel buttercream.
- Overbaking: Keep an eye on your bars while baking. Overbaking can lead to dry bars; they should be set but still soft in the center.
Storage & Reheating Instructions
Refrigerator Storage
- Store your Ooey Gooey Banana Bars in an airtight container.
- They will last up to 5 days in the refrigerator.
Freezing Ooey Gooey Banana Bars
- Wrap individual bars in plastic wrap and place them in a freezer-safe container.
- They can be frozen for up to 3 months.
Reheating Ooey Gooey Banana Bars
- Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Place bars on a baking sheet and heat for about 10 minutes.
- Microwave: Heat one bar at a time on high for 20-30 seconds, watching closely to avoid overheating.
- Stovetop: Place bars in a skillet over low heat, covered for about 5 minutes until warmed through.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some common questions about making Ooey Gooey Banana Bars:
Can I use frozen bananas for Ooey Gooey Banana Bars?
Yes, thawed frozen bananas work well. Just make sure to drain off excess moisture before mashing.
How do I make my Ooey Gooey Banana Bars even more flavorful?
Consider adding nuts or chocolate chips into the batter for extra texture and flavor.
What if I don’t have brown sugar?
You can substitute with white sugar, but the flavor will differ slightly. For a better match, mix white sugar with a bit of molasses.
Are Ooey Gooey Banana Bars suitable for gluten-free diets?
You can use gluten-free all-purpose flour as an alternative to make these bars gluten-free.
Final Thoughts
These Ooey Gooey Banana Bars offer delightful sweetness and moistness that makes them irresistible. They are versatile; feel free to customize them with nuts, chocolate chips, or spices like cinnamon. Enjoy these comforting bars any time you crave a sweet treat!
Ooey Gooey Banana Bars
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: Serves approximately 16 bars 1x
Description
Indulge in the irresistible delight of Ooey Gooey Banana Bars, a perfect fusion of moist banana goodness and decadent salted caramel buttercream.
Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter (melted)
- 2 cups brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 2 large eggs
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 2 ripe bananas (mashed)
- For frosting: ½ cup unsalted butter, 2 cups confectioners' sugar, ½ teaspoon kosher salt, ¼ cup caramel topping
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9×13-inch baking pan.
- In a large bowl, mix melted butter, brown sugar, vanilla extract, and eggs until smooth.
- Gradually stir in flour and salt until just combined.
- Fold in mashed bananas gently.
- Pour batter into the prepared pan and bake for approximately 45 minutes until a toothpick comes out clean.
- Let bars cool completely before frosting with the salted caramel buttercream.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar (70g)
- Calories: 330
- Sugar: 30g
- Sodium: 180mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 49g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 50mg
