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Frosted Banana Bread Bars (Gluten-free)

These frosted banana bars are moist, fluffy, and packed full of banana flavor! If you are looking to use up those ripe bananas lying around but aren't in the mood for banana bread, this is the perfect recipe for you! Frosted banana bread bars are gluten-free, dairy-free, refined sugar-free, and paleo-friendly!
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 22 minutes
Total Time 32 minutes
Course Dessert, Snack
Cuisine American
Servings 12

Ingredients
  

Banana bars

  • 3 cups almond flour or tiger nut flour for nut-free
  • 1 cup mashed banana (make sure they're EXTRA ripe)
  • 1/4 cup maple syrup
  • 2 tbsp coconut sugar or brown sugar *can omit & sub a total 1/3 cup maple syrup
  • 3 eggs, room temp
  • 2 tbsp melted coconut oil, grass-fed butter, or avocado oil
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • 1/2 tsp lemon juice
  • 1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1/2 tbsp cinnamon
  • good pinch of sea salt

Homemade Paleo "Cream cheese" Frosting

  • 1/2 cup cashew butter
  • 1/2 cup milk, of choice (i used cashew)
  • 1/2 cup THICK coconut yogurt (I like CocoJune or Culina)
  • 1/4 cup maple syrup or honey
  • 3-4 tbsp lemon juice
  • 2 tsp vanilla extract
  • good pinch sea salt
  • 1/4 cup coconut oil, melted & cooled

Store-bought frosting

  • 1 container Miss Jones Frosting (buttercream or cream cheese) *or other store-bought frosting, of choice

Instructions
 

  • Preheat oven to 325F. Line an 8x8 baking pan with parchment paper. You can also use a 9x9 if that's what you have!
  • In a food processor or mixing bowl, combine all of the ingredients. Process or mix until well combined and no lumps remain. Pour the batter into the pan.
  • Bake for 22-25 minutes or until the edges are lightly golden and the center is set. You don't want to over-bake, as this will dry out the bars. Once done, remove from the oven and let cool completely. I like to leave mine out on the stove for 10 minutes and then transfer to the fridge to speed it up (I also feel as though they become more moist in the fridge!)
  • Once completely cooled, gently spread the frosting over the bars. Cut into slices and enjoy! Store leftover bars in an air-tight container in the fridge. You can always heat them up for a few seconds prior to eating if you'd like!

Homemade paleo frosting

  • Simply add everything to a high powered blender, blending until completely smooth, scraping down the sides as needed. Taste & adjust as you'd like!

Video

Notes

Tips: 
    •  Don't over-bake! The center should feel pretty firm to touch and the edges should be slightly golden. Some slight cracking on the top may occur, that's okay!
    • Banana bread bars are just as great next-day, after being chilled in the fridge. Sometimes I think the flavor is even better after being chilled for a few hours! This makes them a great make-ahead dessert.
    • Let the bars cool COMPLETELY before frosting to prevent the top from crumbing.
    • These are perfect as-is, or you can top them with fresh banana slices, a sprinkle of cinnamon, drizzle of paleo caramel or whipped honey, or even drizzle over melted white chocolate!
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