Cream Cheese Frosted Banana Bars

so far this week has been busy/hectic/crazy.  the school year is quickly coming to an end, and i'm now in the thick of year end play dates, teacher gifts, and prepping for our road trip next week.

luckily for me a little stress and hecticness is what i thrive on.  key is little.  

first on the docket is food gifts.

round 1 = banana bars w/ cream cheese frosting.

i'm a sucker for banana bread.  i let bananas get over-ripe on purpose, and then convince myself that it's only right to make bread, muffins, cake, etc.  the only thing better than banana bread, is banana bread covered in thick cream cheese frosting.  #truth

round one complete.

next up, round two.  s'mores cookies.

Cream Cheese Frosted Banana Bars

ingredients:
1/2 cup butter, softened
1 1/2 cups sugar
2 eggs
1 cup sour cream
3 large mashed ripe bananas
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt

cream cheese frosting
1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup butter, softened
4 cups confectioners' sugar
2 teaspoons vanilla extract


method:
preheat oven to 375F.  grease and flour a 10 x 15-inch pan (or for thicker bars use a 9 x 12-inch)
in bowl of a stand mixer, cream together butter, sugar, eggs, sour cream.  add in mashed banana and vanilla, mix for 1 minute.  add in flour, baking soda and salt and mix until combined.
pour batter into prepared pan and cook for 20-25 minutes or until toothpick inserted in centre comes out clean.  (note: if using a smaller pan you will need to adjust your cooking time accordingly.   25-30 minutes)
remove from oven and allow to cool completely before frosting.

to make frosting:  cream together cheese and butter until smooth.  add in sugar 2 cups at a time.  blend in vanilla.
spread frosting evenly over cooled bars.  cut into bars.
store covered in refrigerator.