Totally from scratch these banana cream tart bars are the perfect dessert for something light and simple plus lovely for parties.
Are Bananas Good For You?
Bananas are healthy and nutritious.
They are high in fiber, and a good source of potassium, but low in calories.
When I was growing up our house wasn’t like most houses. My older sister was off to college before I could even ride a bike and my next oldest sister wasn’t far behind her. Then there was my little brother and sister that were born closer together but still a few years behind me so I was your typical middle child in every sense because my parents had such old and young kids at once. These banana cream tart bars brought back a fond memory for me, one that used to be awful but time heals those things.
My parents, and hopefully they don’t mind me saying this, but they struggled with infertility. Both getting pregnant and staying pregnant. Mom felt strongly after my second sister that there was one more but after a gazillion doctor visits was told there just was no chance. And then they got pregnant with me. One last round of fertility even though the doctor didn’t think anything would come of it. Obviously I’m eternally grateful.
And then two more came. Total surprises for someone who had no chance of getting pregnant. Well fast forward a few years and my sister just above me, Jennifer and I went out on a sister date. I don’t remember what we did but I do remember stopping for pie at a local place around town and suddenly realizing we didn’t have enough money and they wouldn’t take a check. We were panicked!
Finally we had to use a phone and call my mom to come and rescue us. What a hassle that must have been for her but I don’t remember a single complaint. How that woman was so patient with 5 children I don’t know, but these banana cream tart bars make me think of that banana cream pie we almost had to work off in the kitchen of Shari’s restaurant.
What Can You Substitute For Buttermilk?
For each cup of buttermilk, you can use 1 tablespoon of white vinegar or lemon juice plus enough milk to measure 1 cup.
Stir together and use instead of buttermilk.
Banana Cream Tart Bars
Banana Cream Tart Bars
Description
Ingredients
Sweet Tart Dough
- 2½ Cups Flour
- 1⅓ Cup Powdered Sugar
- Pinch Salt
- 1 Cup Butter, cold, unsalted, cut in small cubes
- 2 Egg Yolks, large
- 2 Tablespoons Buttermilk
- ¾ Teaspoon Vanilla
Filling
- 2 Bananas, about 1 cup
- 1 Teaspoon Lemon Juice
- 4 Packages Cream Cheese, *8 ounce packages, softened
- 2/3 Cup Milk, sweetened condensed
- 4 Cups Cream , whipped, or cool whip see note
- 2 Bananas, for the bottom
- Whipped Cream, for serving
Instructions
- In a small bowl, using a fork whisk together the buttermilk, yolks, and vanilla.
- Set aside.
- In a food processor, add the flour, powdered sugar, and salt and pulse to combine.
- Scatter the butter around the food processor bowl and then pulse to create little pea sized balls in the flour mixture.
- Get your egg mixture and turn the processor on while pour in the wet ingredients.
- Once the dough begins to come together remove from the food processor onto saran wrap and press into a disc, a few flour crumbs should be visible but just press them into the dough and wrap tightly in the saran wrap.
- Place in the fridge for 1 hour or the freezer for 15-20 minutes. You can also store it in the fridge an entire day ahead of time, but all it to sit out for a few minutes before trying to work with the cold dough.
- Line a 9x13” pan with parchment and press the dough out evenly on the bottom.
- Wrap in saran wrap again and freeze for 20 minutes.
- Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 375 degrees.
- Poke the tart all over with a fork and bake for 30 minutes.
- Set aside to cool.
- In a glass measuring cup, smash the bananas into a smooth puree and add the lemon juice.
- In a bowl, using a handheld mixer, beat the cream cheese and sweetened condensed milk until smooth.
- Beat in the banana mixture.
- Fold in the whipped cream.
- Slice the remaining bananas and lay on the bottom of the cooled tart crust.
- Top with filling and refrigerate for 1 hour.
- Serve with additional whipped cream.
Notes
Nutrition
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Britney Lewis
Can’t wait to try these banana tart bars. Can you clarify one more thing? Do you really use 4 8oz packages of cream cheese? Thank you.
Sweet Basil
Hi Britney,
I’m a little ashamed to admit that it is in fact 4 whole packages of cream cheese. Definitely not healthy, haha
Barbara M
These Banana Cream Tart Bars look absolutely delicious! The recipe calls for 4 cups of whipped cream. Do you mean 4 cups of heavy cream whipped? I can’t wait to make and enjoy these.
Sweet Basil
Hi Barbara, thank you for the note. I’ve made the recipe more clear, but it’s 4 cups already whipped cream or cool whip. It takes about 2 cups heavy cream to make the whipped cream.