Name: Banana Bread Bars with a Peanut Butter-Molasses Drizzle
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 45 min
Total time: 1 h
Yield: 6
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 6 tbsp. butter, melted; 1 cup unsweetened, shredded coconut; 1 cup pulverized graham cracker crumbs; 3 tbsp. molasses; 1/2 tbsp. unsweetened cocoa powder; 1 tsp. vanilla; 2 bananas, mashed (1/2 cup); 1 can condensed milk; 2 egg yolks, room temperature; 1 tbsp. molasses; 1 tbsp. freshly squeezed lemon juice; 1/2 tsp. vanilla; Pinch of salt; 1/8 cup peanut butter; 1/2 tbsp. molasses; 1/8-1/4 tsp. ground cinnamon (to taste)

Jump to Recipe

Ooey-gooey, delicious and tasty banana bread bars with a peanut butter-molasses drizzle!

Banana Bread Bars with a Peanut Butter-Molasses Drizzle on white plate, rest of dessert in the background with drizle in white bowl and spoon

Before I hop into today's recipe, I want to say: THE NEW BLOG DESIGN IS COMPLETE. Done. Kaput. It has been an amazing experience and I cannot wait to talk more about it next week (I know, I know, but so many things have come up while the remodel was taking place!)

This past summer I entered the Crosby's molasses contest and was really happy to be a runner-up (it was such a close call with all the other recipes!) I am back again to enter into their latest contest, and boy do I think I have a winner. Though, I thought that the last time, too, but you never know!

Banana bread bars with a peanut butter-molasses drizzle came from a whole lot of inspiration. First off, people ALWAYS have bananas sitting around. I don't eat them plain but they sure come in handy for desserts! Secondly, when you have a huge hit such as these strawberry bars, you know you have to revisit them again, but with a twist.

Banana Bread Bars with a Peanut Butter-Molasses Drizzle before and after being sliced on baking paper sheet, one bar held by hand

Soft, gooey, but still hold their shape, these banana bread bars were a hit with my family. I did learn a thing or two in the process which I will share with you. First off, patience!! I feel I say this a lot, but my patience level has actually improved over the years (just ask Kristy at She Eats and Peppercorn Creative as she helps me with my blog remodel!) But sometimes little obstacles come along that hinder your project, forcing you to try and speed things up. DO NOT DO IT! Wait!

Banana Bread Bars with a Peanut Butter-Molasses Drizzle on white plate, rest of dessert in the background

In my case, we had a storm moving in and before you knew it, my cloudy day turned into a dark nightmare! Now, I love storms so no complaints there, but I was concerned I would not have natural light left for the day if I did not get some pictures in soon. Yeah, mistake! I was definitely cutting into these bars way too early. They held their shape, but after I cut a few I realized I had to stop. When the bars had actually cooled to room temperature I had no issues.

Banana Bread Bars with a Peanut Butter-Molasses Drizzle on white plate and one held by hand, rest of dessert in the background

And that gooey-ness you see in the photos? That is actually the custard filling of the dessert! Pretty neat, eh? I like that it is still soft, but holds its shape. When you take these banana bread bars out of the oven, they still have some jiggle to them, and will eventually firm up as they cool. Just remember, patience!

📖 Recipe

Banana Bread Bars with a Peanut Butter-Molasses Drizzle

Yield: 6

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 45 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour

Use up those leftover bananas on something other than banana bread (with these soft and gooey banana bread bars with a peanut butter-molasses drizzle!)

Ingredients

6 tbsp. butter, melted
1 cup unsweetened, shredded coconut
1 cup pulverized graham cracker crumbs
3 tbsp. molasses
½ tbsp. unsweetened cocoa powder
1 tsp. vanilla

Filling:

2 bananas, mashed (½ cup)
1 can condensed milk
2 egg yolks, room temperature
1 tbsp. molasses
1 tbsp. freshly squeezed lemon juice
½ tsp. vanilla
Pinch of salt

Topping:

⅛ cup peanut butter
½ tbsp. molasses
⅛-1/4 tsp. ground cinnamon (to taste)

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350F. Grease 8x8 inch pan with butter and line with parchment paper.
To make homemade coconut flour, pour a heaping 1 cup of unsweetened, shredded coconut into a food processor. Process until the coconut resembles flour (it will not be super powdery, but it definitely will be fine in texture.)
Crust:
Using a pastry blender or food processor, combine coconut flour, cracker crumbs, molasses, cocoa powder, and pinch of salt if desired. Add in the butter, vanilla. and mix until it all comes together. Press into the bottom of the pan and form up the sides the best you can. Bake for 8-10 minutes, or until lightly browned. Allow crust to cool.
While crust is cooling. we can make the filling. Whisk the egg yolks and milk well. Add in the vanilla, lemon juice, molasses, salt, and freshly mashed bananas. Mix well. Pour filling into crust and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until set (if will kind of look jiggly but not overly so.)
Cool on wire rack and chill in refrigerator until ready to serve.
For the topping, melt the peanut butter in the microwave. Stir in molasses and ground cinnamon. Cut bars into little squares and drizzle with peanut-butter molasses sauce!

Nutrition Information:

Yield: 6 Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 409Total Fat: 27gSaturated Fat: 17gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 8gCholesterol: 94mgSodium: 225mgCarbohydrates: 40gFiber: 4gSugar: 25gProtein: 5g

On another happy note, my daughter's first day of school went amazing! She had to miss one day this week from a cold (which I have been battling for a week!) Nonetheless, I miss her lots but relish in the fact that I can spend more time cooking (and creating delicious lunches for her!)

Comments

Marye

September 17, 2015 at 7:39 am

These sound so good! I used to make the kids peanut butter and molasses sandwiches when they were kids. It's a wonderful flavor combination!

- Kacey
  
  September 19, 2015 at 3:02 pm
  
  That sandwich combination sounds divine!
  
Manila Spoon (Abby)

September 17, 2015 at 10:57 am

That looks so moist and delicious and that dressing sounds divine - yum!

- Kacey
  
  September 19, 2015 at 3:02 pm
  
  Thanks, Abby!
  
Sam @ PancakeWarriors

September 17, 2015 at 12:03 pm

Sounds super yummy! You really can't go wrong with peanut butter and banana!! Love the drizzle!

- Kacey
  
  September 19, 2015 at 3:02 pm
  
  It is such a perfect pairing that I find it hard to stay away from 🙂
  
Carrie @Frugal Foodie Mama

September 17, 2015 at 7:22 pm

So, there is pretty much nothing that I do not like about these bars! The bananas, the peanut butter, and that molasses... yum! 🙂

- Kacey
  
  September 19, 2015 at 3:02 pm
  
  Haha, even myself not being a big banana fan could not resist these 🙂
  
Dorothy at Shockingly Delicious

September 17, 2015 at 7:34 pm

I can't take my eyes off that drizzle!

- Kacey
  
  September 19, 2015 at 3:03 pm
  
  Thanks, Dorothy!
  
Brandon @ Kitchen Konfidence

September 17, 2015 at 7:55 pm

I'll take two please!

- Kacey
  
  September 19, 2015 at 3:03 pm
  
  How about I make it three? 🙂
  
tanya

September 17, 2015 at 9:55 pm

Oh my gosh that custard!!! This is way better than any banana bread!

- Kacey
  
  September 19, 2015 at 3:03 pm
  
  Tanya, I think I am going to have a hard time going back to banana bread... 🙂
  
Trish - Mom On Timeout

September 17, 2015 at 11:02 pm

I love EVERYTHING that is going on with these bars! Yes!

- Kacey
  
  September 19, 2015 at 3:03 pm
  
  Thanks, Trish!
  
Joanie @ Zagleft

September 18, 2015 at 6:43 am

First off, I love your new site - it's so clean and pretty! Second, these bars look divine, what wonderful flavor combo!

- Kacey
  
  September 19, 2015 at 3:04 pm
  
  Thanks so much, Joanie! I am so happy with the outcome (on both, haha.)
  
Michelle @ The Complete Savorist

September 20, 2015 at 1:52 am

One does not see the word pulverized often in a recipe, gotta say, I found it amusing and this wordsmith rather enjoyed it. I love the concept of peanut butter and molasses, can't say I've ever had it. I've been judging a lot of food contests lately and it's tough business, but I'd sure enjoy tasting these in a contest.

- Kacey
  
  September 22, 2015 at 8:07 am
  
  Haha, thanks, Michelle! Sometimes I struggle to convey what I really mean, but I think pulverized gets the point across 🙂
  
Hollie | Baking a Mess

September 23, 2015 at 5:35 pm

I seriously need these in my life right now! Soooo moist!

- Kacey
  
  September 24, 2015 at 10:46 am
  
  Keep them in mind the next time you have some bananas hanging around 🙂