Banana Nut Bars

Ingredients

• 1 cup butter, cubed
• 1/2 cup water
• 1-1/2 cups sugar
• 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
• 1 cup mashed ripe bananas (about 2 medium)
• 1/2 cup buttermilk
• 2 eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 cup chopped pecans or walnuts
• FROSTING:
• 1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened
• 1/2 cup butter, softened
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 3-1/2 cups confectioners' sugar

Method

In a small saucepan, bring butter and water to a boil. Remove from the heat; set aside. In a large mixing bowl, beat the sugars, bananas, buttermilk, eggs and vanilla until blended. Combine flour and baking soda; gradually add to sugar mixture. Carefully beat in butter mixture until blended. Stir in nuts.
Pour into a greased 15-in. x 10-in. x 1-in. baking pan. Bake at 350° for 18-22 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. Cool on a wire rack.
For frosting, in a large mixing bowl, beat cream cheese and butter until light and fluffy. Beat in vanilla. Gradually add confectioners' sugar until smooth. Spread over bars. Store in the refrigerator. Yield: 3 dozen.

Recipe from Taste of Home Award Winning recipes Issue