Description
These Banana Cream Cheese Bars feature a buttery graham cracker crust topped with a creamy, smooth cream cheese layer, fresh banana slices, and a drizzle of caramel sauce. Perfectly balanced between sweet and tangy, these bars make a delightful dessert or snack that’s easy to prepare and sure to impress.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Crust
- 1 cup crushed graham crackers
- 1/4 cup melted butter
- 1/4 cup sugar
For the Cream Cheese Layer
- 16 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 2 eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
For the Topping
- 2 bananas, sliced
- 1/2 cup caramel sauce
Instructions
- Prepare the Oven and Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line an 8×8-inch baking dish with parchment paper to ensure easy removal of the bars after baking.
- Make the Crust: In a medium bowl, combine the crushed graham crackers, melted butter, and 1/4 cup sugar. Mix well until the crumbs are evenly coated. Press this mixture firmly and evenly into the bottom of the prepared baking dish. Bake the crust for 10 minutes, then remove from oven and let it cool.
- Create the Cream Cheese Mixture: In a separate large bowl, beat the softened cream cheese with 1/2 cup sugar until it becomes smooth and creamy. Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition to create a homogeneous mixture. Stir in the vanilla extract until fully incorporated.
- Assemble the Bars: Pour the cream cheese mixture over the cooled crust and spread evenly with a spatula. Arrange the sliced bananas on top of the cream cheese layer in an even layer. Drizzle the caramel sauce over the banana slices.
- Bake: Place the baking dish into the oven and bake for 30 to 35 minutes. The edges should turn lightly golden while the center sets but still slightly jiggles when you gently shake the pan.
- Cool and Refrigerate: Allow the bars to cool completely at room temperature, then transfer to the refrigerator. Chill for at least 2 hours to fully set before slicing into bars.
- Serve: Once chilled and set, remove from the pan using the parchment paper edges, slice into 9 servings, and enjoy your delicious banana cream cheese bars!
Notes
- For best results, use ripe but firm bananas to avoid overly mushy toppings.
- You can substitute caramel sauce with dulce de leche or honey for a different flavor.
- Make sure cream cheese is softened at room temperature to prevent lumps in the filling.
- Store the bars covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- To enhance texture, sprinkle a small handful of chopped nuts (like pecans or walnuts) on top before baking.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar (approximately 1/9 of recipe)
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 22g
- Sodium: 210mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 29g
- Fiber: 1.5g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 70mg