Frosted Banana Bars

Nuts optional.

Banana bars by jeffreyw, on Flickr (CC license) (cropped)

Here’s a version from the April 4, 1949 edition of The Oelwein (Iowa) Daily Register:

Frosted Banana Bars

2 cups sifted flour 2 teaspoons baking powder 1/2 teaspoon salt	Sift together
1/4 cup shortening 1 cup sugar	Cream together
2 eggs	Add and beat well
1 cup mashed bananas	Add to creamed mixture alternately with sifted ingredients
1/2 teaspoon lemon extract 1/2 teaspoon vanilla 1/2 cup chopped nuts	Add and mix well. Spread in well-greased pan and bake in moderate oven, 350 degrees F., for 30 minutes. While still warm, spread with thin confectioners’ sugar icing. When cool, cut in bars.

From a box sold in East Moline, Illinois.

Frosted Banana Bars

1/2 c. butter (soft)
2 c. sugar
3 eggs
1-1/2 c. mashed ripe bananas (3 mediums)
1 tsp. vanilla
2 c. flour
1 tsp. baking soda
pinch salt

Cream butter and sugar. Beat in eggs, bananas, and vanilla.

Combine flour, baking soda, and salt and add. Mix well.

Greased 15x10x1 inch pan. 350 deg.–25 minutes or done. Cool.

Frosting:
1/2 c. butter, soft
8 oz. cream cheese
4 c. powdered sugar
2 tsp. vanilla

3 dozen.