Lovin' From the Oven

Banana Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting & a Giveaway

by 91 Comments

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Festive plate, don’t you think? I was actually busily snapping away when my mom came up to me, very excitedly may I add, going on about plates. Huh? I had no idea what she was talking about. She went to cupboard and pulled out these rooster plates. Apparently, she bought them just for me for the sole reason of taking blog pictures. Hahaha– My mom’s the best! And apparently a rooster lover? Who knew?

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Thank you so much for your kind comments and support about my previous post! It’s overwhelming— in a “I can’t believe it, I love you guys!” kind of way. Not only that, but we’ve also just hit 1,000 fans on the Lovin’ From the Oven Facebook page! wahooo!

One of my wonderful followers, Ashley, suggested on the FB page that we celebrate by giving everyone free baked goods by yours truly. As much as I would LOVE to do that if I could, there’s just no way I could do that physically or financially.
Then I got to thinking… well, although I can’t bake for everyone, why not three lucky winners, instead? Perfect!
So here it is, another giveaway to celebrate all the goodness that’s been going on. Just leave a comment on this post with your favorite baby name (boy or girl) and an email for me to reach you by 11:59 PM Pacific Time, Friday, October 15th, 2010. This giveaway is only for US residents since mailing cookies overseas isn’t the greatest idea. The winners will be picked via random.org.
You might be wondering why a baby name? Well, my DB’s sister just had her first boy earlier this week (after having two girls), so I’m in a baby mood! They’re just the sweetest little things.
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These bars are unbelievably moist and a hit at work. To me, they were a bit on the sweet side so I’d adjust the sugar next time I make them. The bars would have tasted fine without the frosting, but cream cheese frosting is my weakness. These bars are adapted from Betty Crocker.

  • 4 mashed very ripe bananas
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 1/3 cup vegetable oil
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 cup all purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon
  • pinch of salt
  1. Preheat oven to 350 and lightly grease a 9″ x 13″ pan.
  2. Mash the bananas and then mix in the sugar, oil, and eggs.
  3. Stir in the flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt.
  4. Pour into the pan and bake, uncovered, about 25 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean.
  5. While the bars are cooling, make the frosting.
  • 5 oz cream cheese, at room temp
  • 1/4 cup butter, softened
  • 1/2 tsp of vanilla
  • 2 3/4 cups powdered sugar
  1. Cream the cream cheese and butter together.
  2. Mix in the vanilla and powdered sugar (slowly).
  3. Spread on cooled bars.

Comments

  2. Corinne says

    I haven’t really come up with any boy names I’ve ever been in love with, but I really like Melendy for a girl. Just wouldn’t tell her I got it off a street sign=P

    Reply

  5. EmilyH says

    Hi Kim!

    What a beautiful baby! My favorite baby name is Owen. I think it sounds wise and adventurous!

    Oh, I hope I get to win some homemade goodies from you! Have a great weekend!

    -Emily

    Reply

  9. blah blah blah says

    Hi Kim!

    It’s so cute how your mom bought those rooster plates, just for your blogging!

    Anyways, my favorite boys name is Eli and Wilbur.
    My favorite girl’s name is Lucille and Alice.

    Reply

  16. meganhertz says

    My favorite girl name is definitely Molly.
    For a boy its Oliver. Since I don’t plan on having kids, I’m going to get huge dogs and name them that 🙂

    Reply

  18. fenwick1 says

    I love the way the banana bars look on the rooster plate! And I love babies too! In fact I used to be a volunteer “cuddler” in the Neonatal ICU at a hospital!

    My fav names are Jack for boy and Chelsea for a girl – although I really like the name friends chose – Valentina Liliana!

    Reply

  23. scar tissue says

    First of all, I think your DB’s new nephew is totally adorable. Look at his cute little face in that picture of you two!!! hehe.
    Anyway, I’m in a baby mood lately too and I’ve been trying to come up with names for my hubby’s and my first child. My favorite so far for a son, which is what we are going to have I am certain, is Rollins.
    :] it’s of German origin and means “Famous Soldier.”

    rjunio55@gmail.com

    Reply

  27. Tara says

    I love your blog! I love new recipies and yours always look so great. 🙂

    My favorite girl name is Gianna, it means God is gracious. I like Camedon for a boy, my grandpa’s name.

    Reply

  34. Susana says

    Will definitely bake these banana bars soon, they look so easy but yummy!

    As for baby names.. I like Kira. I’m not sure about boy names though..

    Reply

  44. Kristina says

    I’ve always like the name Tabor for a little boy (although my hubby does not), I still like it! 🙂 I can’t post my other favorites b/c we haven’t had any babies yet! 🙂
    -Kristina (litatina33@aol.com)

    Reply

  47. Mandy Davis says

    Who doesn’t like freebies? 🙂 My favorite all time girl name is Audrey; simple and classic. My favorite boy names are Isaiah, Isaac and Braxton! Congrats on the new addition to your extended family! Love your goodies! Oh and email is mandydavis2@me.com

    Reply

  53. Amber says

    i haven’t really thought of a boy’s name yet, but for a girl i like Anisa. i come from a multi-cultural background and live in a multi-cultural community, so I think it’s fitting to have a name like Anisa that would mean something in my culture (i’m majority Thai), but still have meaning in other languages as well. plus, it doesn’t sound too strangely exotic so the other kids wouldn’t make fun of her 🙂

    Reply

  60. ouradak says

    Those banana bars look delicious, but this beautiful fall weather is making me CRAVE pumpkin so pleaase but up your pumpkin muffin w/pecan struesel recipe soon, kthanx 🙂

    Also, my favorite baby name is currently “Claire”. This might be dorky because I got the idea from watching Lost, but a cute name nevertheless, and very pretty later on for an adult.

    Reply

  61. Rebecca says

    I love Oliver and Olivia. Unfortunately you can’t use both in the same family (and we’ve already got an Oliver). Keep the cream cheese coming!!!:)

    Reply

  67. Kristen J says

    Josslyn for a girl
    and Jax for a boy…

    Those are my favorites right now. If only I could convince my husband on Josslyn…I am five months pregnant with a baby girl and we have yet to decide on a name! Grrrrr….

    Reply

  78. Katie says

    I really like the name Zella. I know it is pretty out there but it’s a family name from waaaay back when. It’s kind of pretty too, right?

    Reply

  85. Kristen says

    I don’t know why – but I have always loved the name Esther. I know it is sorta an old school name, but it just has so much meaning to it.

    Those banana bars – and the pumpkin muffins from your last post look amazing. Guess I know what I will be baking this weekend!

    krisjoyhelf@gmail.com

    Reply

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