Peanut Butter Banana Bread Bars

by Heather H. of Kitchen Concoctions: www.kitchen-concoctions.com

Prep Time: 20-25 minutes Bake Time: 20-25 minutes Yields: approximately 15 bars

Peanut butter lovers will love this modern twist on classic banana bread!

Ingredients:

Banana Bread Bars:

2 cups unbleached all-purpose flour (plus 2 tablespoons)

1 teaspoon cinnamon

1 teaspoon baking soda

¼ teaspoon baking powder

¼ teaspoon salt

½ cup butter, room temperature (plus 1 tablespoon)

2/3 cup packed brown sugar

2/3 cup granulated sugar

2 eggs

½ cup sour cream or plain yogurt

1 ¾ cups mashed ripe bananas (about 4 large bananas)

1 teaspoon vanilla

1 (9-ounce) bag Nestle Toll House DelightFulls Peanut Butter Filled Morsels

Peanut Butter Frosting:

¼ cup butter

½ cup creamy peanut butter

2 ½ cups powdered sugar, sifted

1 teaspoon vanilla

4-5 tablespoons milk or half and half

Directions:

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Using 1 tablespoon flour and 1 tablespoon butter, grease and flour a 15 by 10 inch jelly roll pan.

In a medium sized bowl, stir together flour, cinnamon, baking soda, baking powder and salt. Set aside.

Using an electric mixer or stand mixer, cream together the softened butter and both sugars until light and fluffy. Scrape down the sides of the bowl and beat in the eggs, one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Beat in the sour cream, mashed bananas and vanilla extract; mix well.

Slowly mix in the dry ingredients into the butter mixture, a little at a time. Continue mixing until all the flour has been added. In a small bowl, toss together peanut butter filled morsels with remaining 1 tablespoon flour. Fold peanut butter filled morsels in prepared batter.

Spread batter evenly into prepared pan. Bake in preheated 375 degree F. oven for 20 to 25 minutes or until golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

Meanwhile to prepare frosting, melt butter in large saucepan over medium heat. Once butter is completely melted stir in peanut butter, stirring until melted and smooth. Remove peanut butter mixture from heat and stir in powder sugar, vanilla, and milk. Whisk together until smooth and creamy and the consistency of a very thick glaze. Add additional milk or powdered sugar, if need, to reach desired consistency.

Allow bars to cool slightly then, using a spatula, spread the frosting evenly over the warm bars.