Email to Stella      

Recipe Categories: Stella's HOME PAGEAPPETIZERS BAKING_SITES BBQ BEAUTY BEEF BEVERAGES BIOGRAPHY BREAD BREAKFAST BROWNIESandBARS BUTTERS_SPREADS CAKES CANDY CANNING_PRESERVING CASSEROLES CELEBRITY CHEESECAKES CHOCOHOLICS_ANONYMOUS COMFORT_FOOD COOKIES COOKING_FOR_2 COPYCAT CRAFT_RECIPES CROCKPOT DESSERTS DIABETIC DIETS ENTERTAINING ETHNIC FISHandSEAFOOD FONDUE FREEZER_FRIENDLY FROSTINGandFILLING FRUIT FUDGE GIFT_BASKET GIFT_JARS GLUTEN_FREE GRILL HINTSandTIPS HOLIDAYS HOMEMADE_PRODUCTS ICE_CREAM JAMSandJELLIES KIDDIE_MENU LOWFAT LOW_CARB MARINADES_RUBS MINUTE_MEALS MUFFINS OAMC PASTA PASTRIES PET_FOOD pHBalance PICNICandCAMPING PIES PIZZA POLITICIAN_FAVORITES PORK POULTRY PRESSURECOOKER QUANTITY_COOKING SALADandDRESSING SANDWICHES SAUCES SEWING_CRAFTS SIDE_DISHES SNACKS SOUPS_STEWS_CHOWDER_CHILI SOUTH_BEACH_DIET STATE_RECIPES TOP_TEN VEGETABLES VEGETARIAN

Bars: Banana-Cinnamon Shortbread Bars




Source of Recipe


Adapted from the 2011 Better Homes & Gardens Christmas Cookies issue


List of Ingredients




Crust:
1 cup butter, softened
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/2 tsp vanilla
2 cups flour
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Filling:
1/2 cup butter, softened
2 cups packed brown sugar
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon salt
3 eggs
1 1/3 cups mashed banana
1 tablespoon milk
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 cups flour

Frosting:
1/2 cup butter, softened
3 ounces cream cheese
3 cups powdered sugar
1 teaspoon cinnamon
2 teaspoons vanilla
1-2 tablespoons milk



Recipe



Preheat oven to 350 degrees. For crust, in a large bowl beat the 1 cup butter with an electric mixer on medium to high speed for 30 seconds. Add granulated sugar and the 1/2 teaspoon vanilla. Beat until well combined, scraping bowl occasionally. Beat in the 2 cups flour and 1 teaspoon cinnamon. Press crust mixture evenly onto the bottom of an ungreased 9x13-inch baking pan. Bake in the preheated oven for 15 to 20 minutes or until light brown. Cool completely in pan on a wire rack.

For the filling, in another large bowl beat the 1/2 cup butter on medium to high speed for 30 seconds. Add brown sugar, baking soda, cinnamon, and 1/4 teaspoon salt. Beat until combined, scraping bowl occasionally. Add eggs, mashed bananas, milk, and 1 teaspoon vanilla. Beat until combined. Beat in the 2 cups flour. Spread filling over cooled crust in pan. Bake in the preheated oven for 40 to 45 minutes or until a wooden chopstick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool completely in pan.

For the frosting: In a large bowl, combine 1/4 cup butter and cream cheese. Beat with an electric mixer on medium to high speed until combined and fluffy. Gradually beat in 3 cups powdered sugar and 1 teaspoon cinnamon. Beat in 2 teaspoons vanilla and milk to make a frosting of spreading consistency. Frost bars before cutting into squares. To store bars, place in a single layer in an airtight container. Store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.