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Tuesday, June 11, 2013

Black Bottom Banana Bars

I didn't grow up eating bar cookies, they're new to me and I'm enjoying them! These Black Bottom Banana Bars were fun to make. Although I didn't trust that such a small amount of batter would work with a 9x13 pan... Hence the nice thick slice of heaven pictured below:@) Yep, I baked this one in an 8x8 pan.
The batter is thick, an offset spatula will really help spread it around. I have a little 4" one that I use.
They are very tasty and moist, if you like banana bread you'll love this.
But, um... Use a 9x13 pan-okay?:@)

Black Bottom Banana Bars-adapted from Taste of Home
1/2 C butter, softened
1 C sugar
1 egg
1 tsp vanilla
1 1/2 C mashed ripe bananas-approx 3
1 1/2 C A/P flour
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 C cocoa powder
Chocolate chips-about 1/2 C-optional-I did not use them
  1. In large bowl cream butter and sugar. 
  2. Add in egg and vanilla, mix well. Add the bananas mix well.
  3. Combine flour, powder, soda and salt. Add to creamed mixture and mix well.
  4. Divide batter in half. Add cocoa powder and chocolate chips if using to half and spread in a greased 9x13 pan.
  5. Spoon remaining batter on top and swirl with knife-I didn't swirl it, just spread it out.
  6. Bake at 350 degrees for 25 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.
  7. Cool on rack, slice and enjoy!
Have a happy day:@)

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25 comments:

  1. MaryJune 11, 2013 at 6:41 AM

    What a temptation first thing this morning, I have bananas staring at me on the counter for a change! Love the thick layers, I think I'd like the 8 x 8 version :)

    ReplyDelete
  2. From the KitchenJune 11, 2013 at 7:30 AM

    I didn't grow up on bar cookies either. In fact, it was at a friend's house that I had my first brownie!! These look delicious in their thickness but, if you insist.....!

    Best,
    Bonnie

    ReplyDelete
  3. Liz That Skinny Chick Can BakeJune 11, 2013 at 7:34 AM

    Much more impressive with the thick layers! Looks delish, Lynn!

    ReplyDelete
  4. CathyJune 11, 2013 at 10:28 AM

    I love the banana-chocolate combination, especially in a recipe like this. I will use the smaller pan too so the bars are nice and thick.

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  5. A Kitchen WitchJune 11, 2013 at 1:06 PM

    What is this goodness?!!? Thanks for sharing! ;)

    ReplyDelete
  6. SueJune 11, 2013 at 3:11 PM

    Yum...I love the idea of something else to do with bananas other than banana bread. I make it all the time and we eat a little and end up throwing the rest away. We are so tired of it. Plus, the banana/chocolate combination is so good!

    ReplyDelete
  7. JeanneJune 11, 2013 at 3:16 PM

    Hi Lynn, I'm back. We have had two grands graduate from HS these past two weeks in Florida, so my blog has been neglected. I can see I have missed a lot of good advice and recipes. I am sure this recipe will be a great hit for our grands who will be here for a week the first of July. I always have overripe bananas to bake with. I like my bananas almost green.

    I also loved the deviled eggs. Yum.

    It is nice to have time to visit again.
    xo, Jeanne

    ReplyDelete
  8. DebbieJune 11, 2013 at 5:13 PM

    I love bar cookies! I don't know why I like them so much, maybe because they are always an amped up brownie. I would try these. I love the flavors combination.

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  9. kitty@ Kitty's Kozy KitchenJune 11, 2013 at 5:44 PM

    Oh yum, chocolate and banana in a bar cookie sounds perfect! I like the idea of the 8 x 8" pan for a nice thick treat!

    ReplyDelete
  10. bjJune 11, 2013 at 6:09 PM

    I am TOTALLY in love with Banana Bread and Chocolate so don'tchaknow that I will make this for the weekend. Thanks, Lynn, for all your good recipes..I haven't tried a one that we didn't like.
    xoxo

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  11. AnonymousJune 11, 2013 at 7:24 PM

    Ohh this looks good - what a GREAT use for bananas and chocolate!!
    Mary x

    ReplyDelete
  12. Sherri B.June 11, 2013 at 8:54 PM

    I like the way yours turned out, nice and tall. I'm thinking it might be kind of difficult to spread such thin layers in a 9x13. Thanks for sharing. xo

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  13. BethJune 11, 2013 at 9:36 PM

    That looks good, Lynn. Taste of Home does have some very good recipes.

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  14. RettabugJune 12, 2013 at 7:15 AM

    I bet the grandkidlets would LOVE this! Their Mom always adds choc. chips to her banana nut bread, so they would think this flavor combination quite normal. It sure LOOKS good!

    Thanks for sharing the recipe. I used to get Taste of Home mag. & I loved it.

    Hugs,
    Rett

    ReplyDelete
  15. LeslieJune 12, 2013 at 5:11 PM

    Yum. So his may have just inspired me to climb out of this funk and into the kitchen .

    ReplyDelete
  16. Yvonne @ StoneGableJune 12, 2013 at 9:03 PM

    OH MY GOODNESS! Lynn, I want to eat everything you make! This looks awesome. I'm passing this on to my Mom, she is the Queen of banana bread.

    I just received a stone pig head for over my oven hood. He is Earl II... after your Earl.

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  17. scrambledhenfruitJune 12, 2013 at 9:45 PM

    I love bar cookies- they're usually quick and easy! These look yummy! :)

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  18. JacquelineJune 13, 2013 at 1:05 AM

    Oh, wow, this takes banana bread over the top. I would probably be trying to sneak the chocolate bottoms off of every other piece though!

    I loved reading about your cilantro salt. Mine is bolting too and it has made me sick. Now I can give this a try!

    ReplyDelete
  19. Pat @ Mille Fiori FavoritiJune 13, 2013 at 1:27 AM

    When I see a recipe like this it makes me wonder why no one has thought of it before! This looks like a wonderful double treat! My daughter will love this as she loves both banana cake and brownies.

    ReplyDelete
  20. Savannah GrannyJune 13, 2013 at 5:21 PM

    Lynn, This looks sooooo good. I would probably use the smaller pan as well. I am not a scientific baker so this may seem dumb, when did you add the bananas? Before or after you divide the batter. I will be making this and I want to make sure.
    I am going to send my new DIL over to your blog. She is enjoying learning to cook and that is not a talent I have perfected. I believe you have.
    Have a blessed weekend, Ginger

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. LynnJune 13, 2013 at 5:26 PM

      Ooops, I added that to the instructions. Thanks:@)

      Delete
  21. MichaeleJune 14, 2013 at 7:38 PM

    Oh I wish I could ever remember to get cocoa at the store! So many good uses!

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  22. Chatty CroneJune 14, 2013 at 9:40 PM

    I think I pinned that to pinterest already! Yum. sandie

    ReplyDelete
  23. eileeninmdJune 15, 2013 at 7:10 AM

    This looks so yummy, I will have to save this recipe. Thanks for sharing, have a happy weekend!

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  24. Miz HelenJune 17, 2013 at 12:03 PM

    My group here will just love these bars. Thank you so much for sharing this great recipe with Full Plate Thursday. Hope you have a fabulous week and come back soon!
    Miz Helen

    ReplyDelete

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