Frosted Banana Bars Made with Freshly Milled Flour

If you've been milling flour at home and wondering what actually showcases that nutty, just-ground flavor, this is the perfect recipe. Frosted banana bars sound simple, maybe even boring, but when you make them with fresh milled flour the entire game changes. The crumb stays impossibly tender, the banana flavor deepens instead of disappearing, and you get this toasted-grain backbone that makes every bite feel more substantial without being heavy. Plus, these are perfect to make when you're wanting to use up those overripe bananas on the counter. These bars bake up in a single sheet pan, get topped with tangy cream cheese icing, and disappear faster than you can explain why fresh flour matters. They're the kind of thing you bring to a potluck and people ask for the recipe twice before they finish their first square.

Course Dessert

Cuisine American

Keyword frosted banana bars

Prep Time 10

Cook Time 25

Total Time 35

Servings bars

Calories 246kcal

Ingredients

Batter:

½ cup softened butter 115 grams
1 ¼ cups sugar 250 grams
3 eggs
3 very ripe mashed bananas (318 grams)
1 tablespoon vanilla
2 ½ cups freshly milled soft white wheat flour finely milled (288 grams)
1 teaspoon baking soda
½ teaspoon salt

Frosting:

8 ounces softened cream cheese 226 grams
¼ cup softened butter 58 grams
2 ⅔ cups powdered sugar 266 grams
2 teaspoons vanilla
2-3 tablespoons heavy cream

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. and thoroughly grease a 15x10 inch baking sheet or pan.
In the bowl of a stand mixer, cream the butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
Add the eggs, banana, and vanilla into the mixing bowl and mix.
Add the flour, baking soda, and salt and mix until just combined.
Spread the batter into the prepared pan.
Bake for 20-25 minutes, until golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean.
For the frosting, beat the cream cheese and butter until smooth. Add the remaining ingredients and beat until smooth.
Frost the banana bars once cooled.
Store in the fridge.

Nutrition