At your next soiree, treat your guests to roasted banana bars with maple glaze. They’ll enjoy the sweetness of the banana and a rich nutty flavor when you prepare these fluffy little guys.

Roasted Banana Bars with Maple Glaze
Makes 24 bars

Ingredients:

• 2 cups sliced ripe banana
• 2 tablespoon brown sugar
• 1 tablespoon cold unsalted butter, diced
• 2 cups flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/8 teaspoon allspice
• 1/8 teaspoon cardamom
• 1/3 cup low-fat buttermilk
• 1 mashed ripe banana
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 5 tablespoon unsalted butter, at room temperature
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 2 large eggs

Bar Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 400°F and arrange bananas in a single layer in a baking dish
2. Sprinkle with brown sugar and diced butter
3. Roast for 25 minutes, gently stirring mixture halfway through. Cool slightly
4. Reduce oven temperature to 350°F and coat a 13 x 9-inch baking dish with nonstick spray
5. Whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, allspice, and cardamom in a medium bowl
6. Combine buttermilk, banana, and vanilla in a small bowl
7. Beat butter and sugar in a large mixer bowl on medium speed until pale and fluffy
8. Add eggs and beat well
9. Reduce speed to low and add half of flour mixture to sugar mixture; beat just until combined
10. Add buttermilk mixture, then finish with remaining flour mixture
11. Gently fold in roasted banana, then pour mixture into prepared baking dish and smooth top with an offset spatula
12. Bake 18 to 20 minutes, until golden and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with a few crumbs attached
13. Remove from oven to cool completely in pan on a wire rack

Glaze Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoon unsalted butter
• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 2 tablespoon maple syrup
• 2 tablespoon low-fat milk
• 1/3 cup chopped pecans, toasted

Glaze Instructions:

1. To make glaze, place butter in a small saucepan over medium heat
2. Cook, stirring constantly, until it foams, turns clear, and then turns a deep brown (about 6 minutes)
3. Cool slightly
4. Sift powdered sugar into a small bowl; whisk in browned butter, maple syrup, and milk until smooth
5. Pour over cake and spread evenly with an offset spatula, then sprinkle with toasted pecans
6. Let glaze set before cutting into bars
7. Store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days

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Source: Tutti Dolci