Brown Butter Banana Bars

I got this recipe from my friend Rachelle over at To Die For Recipes.  Oh man, they are good.  Not healthy, but wow, this frosting is incredible.  The browned butter gives it a delicious flavor.  My kids said they liked them as much as my Peanut Butter Bars.  Say what?!  They would be great for any occasion as well.  Rachelle says you can halve the recipe, no problem.

Ingredients:

BANANA BARS:

1 1/2 C sugar
1 C sour cream
2 eggs
1/2 C butter, softened
1 3/4 C mashed, ripe bananas (about 3-4 bananas)
2 tsp vanilla
2 c flour
1 tsp baking soda
3/4 tsp salt
1/2 c chopped walnuts (optional)


BROWN BUTTER FROSTING:

1/2  C butter
4 C powdered sugar
1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
3 TBSP milk
1/4-1/2 tsp salt


1. Heat oven to 330F. Grease a 15x10-inch jelly roll pan. For the bars, in a large bowl, beat together sugar, sour cream, butter, and eggs until creamy. Blend in bananas and vanilla extract. Add flour, baking soda, salt, and blend for 1 minute. Stir in walnuts. 

2. Spread batter evenly into pan. Bake 20 to 25 minutes or until golden brown.

3. Meanwhile, for frosting, heat butter in a large saucepan over medium heat until boiling. Let the butter turn a delicate brown and remove from heat immediately.

4. Add powdered sugar, vanilla extract, salt and milk. Whisk together until smooth (it should be thicker than a glaze but thinner than frosting). Using a spatula, spread the brown butter frosting over the warm bars (the frosting will be easier to spread while the bars are still warm).

Side note:  My frosting needed extra milk.  It was pretty thick without it.  I will keep experimenting, as I was letting my daughter help stir in the powdered sugar and it was taking her awhile.  I wonder if this made a difference?

Recipe Source:  To Die For Recipes
Picture Source: Many Makings