Roasted Banana Bars (w/Browned Butter-Pecan Frosting)

Bars:

2 c sliced ripe bananas (about 3 medium)

1/3 c packed dark brown sugar

1 TBS butter, chilled and cut into small pieces

2 ¼ c flour

¾ tsp baking soda

½ tsp baking powder

¼ c nonfat buttermilk

1 tsp vanilla

½ c butter, softened

1 ¼ c granulated sugar

2 large eggs

Baking spray w/four

Frosting:

¼ c butter

2 c powdered sugar

1/3 c (3 oz) 1/3 less-fat cream cheese, softened

1 tsp vanilla

¼ c chopped pecans, toasted

1. Preheat oven to 400^F

2. To prepare bars, combine banana, brown sugar, and 1 TBS butter in an 8-inch square baking dish. Bake at 400^F for 35 minutes, stirring after 17 minutes. Cool slightly.

3. Reduce the oven temperature to 375^F.

4. Combine flour, soda, and baking powder in a medium bowl. Combine banana mixture, buttermilk, and 1 tsp vanilla in another 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 granulated sugar mixture; mix well. Add flour mixture to sugar mixture alternating with banana mixture, beginning and ending with flour mixture.

5. Pour batter into a 9x13-inch baking pan coated with baking spray. Bake at 375^F for 20 minutes or until a wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool completely in pan on 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 vanilla in a medium bowl; beat with a mixer until smooth. Spread frosting over cooled bars. Sprinkle with pecans.

Yield: 2 dozen (bars)