Name: Banana Bars with Orange Frosting
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 40 min
Yield: 20 servings
Ingredients: 2 cups mashed ripe bananas (3 to 4 medium); 1-2/3 cups sugar; 1 cup canola oil; 4 large eggs; 2 cups all-purpose flour; 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon; 1 teaspoon baking powder; 1 teaspoon salt; 1/2 teaspoon baking soda; ORANGE BUTTER FROSTING:; 5 tablespoons butter, softened; 4-1/2 cups confectioners' sugar; 5 tablespoons orange juice; 1/2 teaspoon grated orange zest

I've been making these banana bars with orange frosting for years. They're always a hit at family get-togethers and parties. The secret to tasty banana desserts is the ripeness of the bananas. The riper, the better. —Mary Sturgis, Hingham, Massachusetts

Ingredients

2 cups mashed ripe bananas (3 to 4 medium)

1-2/3 cups sugar

1 cup canola oil

4 large eggs

2 cups all-purpose flour

2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

1 teaspoon baking powder

1 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

ORANGE BUTTER FROSTING:

5 tablespoons butter, softened

4-1/2 cups confectioners' sugar

5 tablespoons orange juice

1/2 teaspoon grated orange zest

Instructions

1 In a large bowl, beat the bananas, sugar, oil and eggs until well blended. In a small bowl, combine the flour, cinnamon, baking powder, salt and baking soda; gradually beat into banana mixture until blended.

2 Pour into a greased 15x10x1-in. baking pan. Bake at 350° for 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool completely on a wire rack.

3 For frosting, cream butter and confectioners' sugar in a large bowl until light and fluffy. Beat in orange juice and zest until smooth; spread evenly over cake.