Banoffee Bars
The wait is over and I am here to share this Banoffee Bars recipe with all the details you need to make the best dessert bar recipe. The flavors of banana and toffee combine for an immaculate flavor experience.
Dulce de leche is a true star in this dessert square recipe delivering a rich creamy base entangled with bananas on a graham cracker crust. Banoffee bars are crave-worthy and you’ll want to make them again and again!
What is Banoffee?
Banoffee is a traditional English pie recipe made from bananas, toffee (or dulce de leche), and cream with a biscuit base. The name is a cross of ingredients: bananas + toffee = banoffee.
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Banoffee Dessert Bars
Making this banoffee recipe as dessert bars is easy, delicious, and will certainly win over your tastebuds! The combination of banana and rich dulce de leche is creamy and decadent with the graham cracker crust.
- Best flavor – Bananas, toffee-like dulce de leche, whipped cream, and graham crackers come together to give you a deliciously sweet dessert bar that is much like the classic banoffee pie recipe.
- Easy to make – It is shockingly easy to make this Banoffee bar dessert recipe by layering each part.
- Make-Ahead Recipe – How you’d be able to make these toffee banana bars ahead of time and not devour them first will be a true surprise, but they do great when made a few days ahead of time.
Bring these sweet toffee dessert bars with bananas to any gathering to really wow your friends and family. They are a big hit at parties and home.
Ingredients for Banana Toffee Bars
If you haven’t tried this flavor combination you are in for a real treat with this homemade banoffee bars recipe. Each layer of flavor compliments the next for an irresistible bite.
It starts with a baked graham cracker crust followed by sliced bananas, thick dulce de leche, more bananas, and freshly whipped cream.
Graham Cracker Crust
- Graham cracker crumbs – Traditional Banoffee pie uses sweet biscuits for a base, but for these layered toffee banana bars the graham cracker crust is just as tasty.
- Brown sugar – Using brown sugar instead of white granulated sugar has a few perks. Because brown sugar is made with molasses it adds a rich undertone to the graham cracker crust. After baking and cooling, this also helps the sugar crystalize and keep the crust from being crumbly.
- Butter – melted
- Cinnamon
Filling
- Dulce de leche – It is so easy to make dulce de leche from scratch. There are a few different methods you can use, but my favorite is to make dulce de leche from canned sweetened condensed milk.
Follow my guide to the absolute best Dulce de Leche to boot. You can also purchase pre-made dulce de leche from your supermarket near the condensed milk. - Bananas – Freshly sliced bananas add the best flavor. We add the bananas inside the toffee banana bars and also place fresh slices on top.
Whipped Cream
- Heavy cream
- Powdered sugar
- Vanilla extract
See the recipe card for quantities.
Instructions
The best part about this banana dessert recipe is how easy it is to make. Each step is effortless and will give mouthwatering results.
While I love making dulce de leche from scratch and am a connoisseur of sorts, it is completely acceptable to purchase pre-made dulce de leche. That plus store-bought graham cracker crumbs will make this recipe a breeze.
Pre-heat the oven and line a square baking pan with parchment paper.
Graham Cracker Crust
In a medium-size bowl, combine the graham cracker crumbs, sugar, and melted butter. Toss together until everything is combined.
Pour the crust mixture into the baking pan and press it down to the bottom of the pan. Use a small glass or jar to help get an even crust layer.
Place the crust into the oven and bake for 15 minutes.
Alternatively, freeze the crust for 15 minutes instead of baking.
To assemble
Slice the bananas and add them to the top of the crust evenly.
Spread the dulce de leche over the top of the bananas, slightly pressing it down to get evenly covered and engulf the banana slices.
Set the pan in the fridge while you prepare the whipped cream.
Whipped Cream
Use a hand mixer to whip the cream, powdered sugar, and vanilla for about 2 to 3 minutes on medium-high speed.
Add the whipped topping to a piping bag to top the dulce de leche layer. Instead of piping, simply spread the whipped cream with a spoon.
You can decorate the bars with banana slices, I also added some caramel crispearls, and chocolate curls. To easily make chocolate curls, use a vegetable peel to shave the sides of a chocolate bar.
Tips for the Best Banoffee Bars
Are you ready to make the best banoffee bars? Here are a few tips to ensure you get the best results!
- Bake the crust – While not necessary, for the best results I recommend baking the crust first as this recipe suggests. You will find the crust to be less crumbly when baked.
If you prefer, you can skip baking the crust and place the pan in the freezer for at least 15 minutes. This will allow the butter to harden and make it easy to cut. - Homemade dulce de leche – Make your own creamy decadent dulce de leche from scratch. One of the easiest ways I have found to make it is using condensed milk on the stovetop. Here is a step-by-step recipe on how to make dulce de leche on the stove.
- Use a square baking pan – For the perfect snack bar cut, a square pan will give you even edges that show off the layers and allow you to get nice, big square cuts.
- Double the recipe! – I love bringing a tray of desserts to gatherings. This banoffee dessert is perfect for pot lucks and dinners.
Double the recipe and use a 9×13 baking pan lined with parchment paper to easily lift the bar from the pan. Or, just cut and serve from the baking dish.
Can I make Banoffee Bars ahead of time?
Yes, this banoffee dessert bar can be made up to 2 days ahead of time. I suggest placing the sliced bananas on top the day you wish to serve so they are fresh.
How long will banoffee bars last?
Banoffee bars will last up to 3 days when stored in the refrigerator.
How do you keep bananas from turning brown after slicing?
To keep sliced bananas from browning you can use two different methods. The first is to place the banana in ice-cold water. The second is to toss the banana slices in lemon juice. The acidity keeps the sugars from browning when introduced to the air.
Variations
This banana dulce de leche dessert bar is sweet and delicious. Perfect as is but there is always a way to outdo yourself. If you love this recipe then here are a few suggestions to make it and ways to try a new recipe.
- Add Chocolate – Top the banoffee pie bar with shaved dark chocolate. Adding dark chocolate helps to balance the sweetness.
- Switch the Crust– Instead of graham cracker crust for this banoffee pie bar, you could substitute them for ground shortbread cookies. Or, try Oreos! This will give you a completely different flavor than what this recipe offers, but it will certainly be tasty.
For a healthier crust option, try the crust used in this Cookie Dough Bar. It is made with rolled oats, macadamia nuts, and coconut. - Add Nuts and Toffee bits – Enhance this dessert by adding chopped pecans and toffee pieces on top with the bananas for extra crunch.
If you have enjoyed this Banoffee Bar recipe and want to try more desserts, then this Coconut Bar topped with Chocolate will surely satisfy your sweet tooth!
How long do banana toffee bars last?
You can keep banoffee pie bars fresh when stored in an air-tight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Can I freeze Banoffee Bars?
Yes! This recipe freezes very well. Keep stored in a freezer-friendly container and freeze for up to 3 months. When ready to enjoy, pull from the freezer the day before and place in the refrigerator.
Is dulce de leche the same as caramel?
No! Dulce de leche does resemble caramel, but that is all. Caramel is sugar that cooks down at high heat into a sauce. It will not be a good substitute for dulce de leche and will not set correctly even when refrigerated. Dulce de leche is sweetened condensed milk cooked over low heat until dark, thick and creamy.
Why is my whipped cream runny?
Fresh-made whipped cream should be thick and have stiff peaks. If yours is runny then it wasn’t whipped long enough. Keep whipping until you reach the right consistency. Also, be sure you are using cold heavy cream.
More Dessert Bar Recipes
- Brownie Oreo Blondies
- Cheesecake Bars
- Dulce De Leche Cookie Bars
- Cherry Almond Bars
- Coconut Chocolate Bars
- Lime Frosted Coconut Bars
Banoffee Bars
Ingredients
Graham Cracker Crust
- 2 cups graham cracker crumbs 225 grams
- 1/4 cup brown sugar 50 grams
- 7 tbsp melted butter 113 grams
- 1 tsp cinnamon
To assemble
- 1 1/3 cup dulce de leche
- 2 large bananas sliced
Whipped Cream
- 1 1/2 cup heavy cream 354 ml
- 1/4 cup powdered sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Instructions
Graham Cracker Crust
- Pre-heat the oven to 325ºF.
- Make the crust by mixing the graham cracker (or digestive biscuit) crumbs, the sugar, and the melted butter. Line a 9 or 8” square pan with parchment paper.
- Press the crumble down on the bottom of the pan.
- Bake the crust in the pre-heated oven for 15 minutes. You don’t necessarily have to bake the crust, but baking will help make the crust less crumbly once you serve the bars. If you don’t bake the crust, simply insert the pan in the freezer for 15 minutes.
- If you baked the crust, remove it from the oven and let it cool down.
To assemble
- Slice the bananas and spread them on top of the crust.
- Top with the dulce de leche, spreading it nicely all over the top.
- Place it in the fridge while you prepare the whipped cream.
Whipped Cream
- Whip the cream, powdered sugar, and vanilla for about 2 to 3 minutes with a mixer on medium high speed.
- Place it in a piping bag or spoon on top of the dulce de leche layer.
There’s no amounts for the milk and powder sugar
Recipe is incomplete!
I’d love to make it, but can’t because the whole recipe isn’t here!
The amounts are literally on the recipe card
Whipped Cream
1 1/2 cup heavy cream 354 ml
1/4 cup powdered sugar
1 tsp vanilla extract
Que receita maravilhosa!! Ficou incrível!!
Que delícia!! Adorei a receita!👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻😋😋😋😋