spiced banana bars with lemon icing

 

serves 8 – 10

ingredients

bars
1 cup flour (I use 2/3 cup whole wheat pastry flour + 1/3 cup white flour) 
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon cloves
1/4 teaspoon allspice
1/8 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
1/4 cup butter, at room temperature
1/4 cup + 2 tablespoons dark brown sugar
1/4 cup + 2 tablespoons sugar
2/3 cup ripe banana (about 1 large banana), mashed
1 egg, lightly beaten
1/4 cup milk (2% or whole)

lemon icing
3 tablespoons melted butter
1 – 1/2 tablespoons hot water
1 tablespoon fresh squeezed lemon juice
1/2 teaspoon lemon zest
3 cups powdered sugar

 

directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. 

bars
Sift the dry ingredients.  You can use a sieve or wire whisk in place of a sifter.  Set aside.  With a wooden spoon or handheld mixer, cream the butter and sugar in a medium bowl.  Add the mashed banana and blend thoroughly.  Now add the egg and beat well.  Next, add the dry ingredients and milk.  Blend thoroughly.  Spread the mixture evenly in a well-greased, floured 9 x 11 x 2 inch pan.

Bake for 20 –25 minutes, until the edges are golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.  Place the bars, in the pan, on a wire rack to cool.  Using a toothpick, prick the entire surface of the bars, at one inch intervals.  Frost the bars generously while still warm.

lemon icing
In a medium bowl, combine the melted butter, hot water, lemon juice and zest.  Using a handheld electric mixer, blend in the powdered sugar until smooth.  If the icing seems thin, add additional powdered sugar, as needed.  Be sure to work speedily when frosting the bars as the icing glazes over quickly.