Recipe: Banana Bars with Banana Frosting

BANANA BARS

FOR THE BARS:
1/2 cup shortening
1 cup white sugar
1/2 cup milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1-1/2 cups flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 very ripe banana, mashed
1 teaspoon lemon juice
1/2 cup chopped walnuts
FOR THE FROSTING:
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

To prepare oven, baking pan: Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease 9-by-13-inch baking pan. Set aside.

TO PREPARE BARS:
In large bowl, cream together shortening and sugar until smooth. Stir in milk and 1 teaspoon vanilla. In medium bowl, combine flour, baking soda and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Stir into sugar mixture. Mix in banana, lemon juice and walnuts. Spread evenly into prepared pan.

Bake for 25 to 30 minutes or until toothpick inserted into center comes out clean. Let bars cool in pan on wire rack.

TO MAKE FROSTING:
In medium bowl, mix together melted butter, vanilla, confectioners' sugar, banana, salt and lemon juice. Beat until smooth.

Spread frosting over cooled bars. Cut into squares.

Adapted from source: church fundraising cookbook, unknown title