Banana Bars



Ingredients 

Original recipe makes 1 - 9x13 inch pan

 1/2 cup shortening
 1 cup white sugar
 1/2 cup milk
 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
 1/2 teaspoon salt
 1 very ripe banana, mashed
 1 teaspoon lemon juice
 1/2 cup chopped walnuts
 2 tablespoons butter, melted
 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
 2 cups confectioners' sugar
 1/2 ripe banana
 1/2 teaspoon salt
 1/4 teaspoon lemon juice

Directions

  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease a 9x13 inch baking pan.
  2. In a large bowl, cream together the shortening and sugar until smooth. Stir in the milk and 1 teaspoon vanilla. Combine the flour, baking soda and 1/2 teaspoon salt; stir into the sugar mixture. Mix in 1 banana, 1 teaspoon lemon juice and walnuts. Spread evenly into the prepared pan.
  3. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes in the preheated oven, until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Let bars cool in the pan on a wire rack.
  4. To make the frosting: In a medium bowl, mix together the melted butter, 1 teaspoon vanilla, confectioners' sugar, 1/2 banana, 1/2 teaspoon of salt and 1/4 teaspoon lemon juice using an electric mixer. Beat until smooth. Spread over cooled bars and then cut into squares.