BANANA CHOCOLATE CHIP BARS WITH CHEESE CREAM FROSTING

INGREDIENTS

1 cup sugar

1 cup mashed very ripe bananas (2 medium)

1/3 cup vegetable oil

2 eggs

1 teaspoon vanilla

1 cup all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

1/4 teaspoon salt

1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips

FROSTING:

1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened

1/3 cup butter or margarine, softened

1 teaspoon vanilla

2 cups confectioners’ sugar

DIRECTIONS

Heat oven to 350° and grease a foil-lined 13 x 9″ pan.

In large bowl, mix sugar, bananas, oil, eggs and vanilla until well combined.  

Stir in flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, salt and chocolate chips.  

Spread evenly in prepared pan.

Bake bars 25 – 30 minutes, or until cake tester inserted in center comes out clean.  

Cool completely, about 1 hour.

FROSTING:  In a large bowl, beat cream cheese, butter and vanilla until combined.  

Gradually beat in confectioners’ sugar (scraping sides of bowl occasionally) until smooth and spreadable.  

Add more sugar if consistency is too soft.

Spread cooled bars with frosting, and store covered in refrigerator.