Shelly's Recipe

BANANA SPLIT BARS WITH CHERRIES ON TOP

Category: Bars

1/3 c. unsalted butter, softened
1 c. sugar
1 large egg
1 ripe banana, mashed
1/2 tsp. pure vanilla extract
1 1/4 c. flour (I use King Arthur Unbleached All Purpose Flour)
1 tsp. baking powder
1/4 tsp. salt
1/3 c. chopped walnuts
2 c. miniature marshmallows
1 c. (6 oz. bag) semisweet chocolate chips
1/3 c. jarred maraschino cherries, drained & quartered

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees. Coat a 9×13-inch baking dish with either butter or cooking oil spray.

In a mixing bowl, beat the butter & sugar together for 2 minutes or until light & fluffy. Add the egg, banana & vanilla and beat for another minute or until well blended.

In a small bowl, combine items 6-8 for the flour mixture and by hand, stir into the batter just until combined. Fold in the walnuts. Spread batter evenly in the prepared baking dish and bake for 20 minutes only. Remove from oven and quickly sprinkle top evenly with the marshmallows followed by the chocolate chips & maraschino cherries. Return to the oven and bake for 12-15 minutes more or until a cake tester or toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean.

Cool completely in the baking dish on a wire rack. Cut into bars and serve. Leftovers may be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. I like to place the bars in paper muffin cups.