Banana Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting - Plant Based

 As the weather gets cooler, I've noticed that I've been mentally exploring how to adapt some of our old favorite recipes into plant based versions. 

This morning I noticed several ripe bbananas on the counter that needed to be used, and decided to adapt my banana bars recipe. 

This recipe features whole wheat flour instead of bleached white flour, chia gel instead of eggs, avocado instead of oil, dates instead of brown sugar, and uses cashews and maple syrup for the sour cream frosting. 

2 cups dates

2 cups boiling water

4 ripe bananas

2.5 T chia seeds mixed with 1 c. water

2 cups whole wheat flour

2 t. baking soda

1 t. baking powder

1/2 t. salt

1 t. vanilla

1 c. chopped, toasted walnuts

1 t. ground cinnamon

Place dates into blender and add boiling water. Allow to soak for 10-15 min to soften dates. Drain all but approx 1/2 cup of water, and blend into a thick date paste (add additional water only if needed).

Add date paste and peeled bananas to mixing bowl. Mix until well combined.

Add chia gel and avocado

Add additional ingredients and mix until combined but don't overmix. 

Bake in a parchment or silpat lined 9x13, or 11x15 inch pan, at 350* for 25-30 min (slightly longer for the 9x13 so that it cooks through). 

Cool. 

Frosting

1.5 cups cashews (soaked in hot water for 15-30 minutes

1/4 c. maple syrup

1/4 - 1/3 c. plant based milk

pinch of salt

1 t. vanilla

Drain cashews and using a high powered blender, combine ingredients and blend until smooth. 

Spread over banana bars