ROASTED BANANA BARS WITH BUTTER – PECAN FROSTING

Bars:
2 c. sliced ripe bananas (about3)
1/3 c. packed dark brown sugar
1 T. butter, chilled and cut into small pieces
9 ounces cake flour ( about 2 ¼ c.)
¾ t. baking soda
½ t. baking powder
¼ c. nonfat buttermilk
1 t. vanilla
½ c. butter, softened
1 ¼ c. sugar
2 large eggs
baking spray with flour
FROSTING:
¼ c. butter
2 c. powdered sugar
1/3 c. (3 ounces) 1/3 less fat cream cheese, softened
1 t. vanilla
¼ c. chopped pecans, toasted

1. preheat oven to 400*
2. To prepare bars, combine banana, brown sugar, and 1 T. butter in an 8 – inch square baking dish. Bake at 400* for 35 minutes, stirring after 17 minutes. Cool slightly.
3. Reduce the oven temperature to 375*.
4. Weigh or lightly spoon cake flour into dry measuring cup. Combine 9 ounces (2 ¼ c.) flour, soda, and baking powder in a medium bowl. Combine banana mixture, buttermilk, and 1 t. vanilla in another medium bowl. Place ½ c. butter and granulated sugar in a large bowl; beat with a mixer at medium speed until well blended. Add eggs to sugar mixture; mix well. Add flour mixture to sugar mixture alternating with banana mixture.
5. Pour batter into a 13 x 9 inch baking pan coated with spray. Bake at 375* for 20 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool completely in pan on a wire rack.
6. To prepare frosting, melt ¼ c. butter in a small saucepan over medium heat; cook 4 minutes or until lightly browned. Cool slightly. Combine browned butter, powdered sugar, cream cheese, and 1 t. vanilla in a medium bowl; beat with a mixer until smooth. Spread frosting over cooled bars. Sprinkle with pecans.
7. Makes 2 dozen. Serving size 1 bar. 5 pts per serving.