Description
Banana Chocolate Chip Bars: Moist banana bars with gooey chocolate chips. Quick, easy, and sure to please a crowd. Perfect for a sweet treat!
Ingredients
Scale
- 3 medium ripe bananas (about 1 cup mashed or 340g)
- 1/2 cup (113g) unsalted butter, melted
- 3/4 cup (150g) light brown sugar, packed
- 1 large egg, room temperature
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1 1/2 cups (180g) all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup (175g) semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 1/2 cup (60g) chopped walnuts (optional)
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9×13 inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving some overhang on the sides for easy removal. Lightly spray the parchment with non-stick cooking spray.
- Step 2: In a large bowl, mash the ripe bananas with a fork until smooth. Small lumps are acceptable and will add character to your Banana Chocolate Chip Bars. The more ripe your bananas, the easier they’ll mash and the more natural sweetness they’ll provide.
- Step 3: Add the melted butter and brown sugar to the mashed bananas. Stir until well combined and the sugar begins to dissolve, creating a caramel-like base for your bars. This mixture should look slightly glossy.
- Step 4: Beat in the egg and vanilla extract until fully incorporated. The mixture will lighten slightly in color and become more aerated, which contributes to the soft texture of the finished bars.
- Step 5: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. Gradually add this dry mixture to the banana mixture, folding gently with a rubber spatula just until combined. Remember, a few streaks of flour are better than overmixing.
- Step 6: Fold in ¾ cup of the chocolate chips and the optional walnuts, distributing them evenly throughout the batter. The remaining chocolate chips will be used as a topping.
- Step 7: Spread the batter evenly in the prepared pan, smoothing the top with your spatula. Sprinkle the remaining chocolate chips over the surface, gently pressing them into the batter so they adhere but remain visible.
- Step 8: Bake for 22-25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with a few moist crumbs attached. The edges should be lightly golden and pulling away from the sides of the pan slightly. For supremely moist Banana Chocolate Chip Bars, be careful not to overbake.
- Step 9: Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan set on a wire rack before lifting out by the parchment paper overhang. Cut into squares and enjoy the perfect balance of banana goodness and chocolate indulgence.
Notes
Fresh ingredients will always yield the best flavor results.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 260
- Sugar: 18g
- Sodium: 95mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 30mg