Banana Bars

½ cup (1 stick) margarine, softened

2 cups granulated sugar

3 eggs

3 ripe bananas, mashed

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

2 cups all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon baking soda

Pinch of salt

1½ teaspoons ground cinnamon

½ cup chopped pecans

FROSTING

½ cup (1 stick) margarine, softened

1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese, softened

4 cups confectioners’ sugar

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

½ cup chopped pecans

Preheat the oven to 350°. In a large bowl beat the margarine and granulated sugar together. In a small bowl combine the eggs, bananas, and vanilla. Beat this into the margarine mixture. In a small bowl combine the flour, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon. Thoroughly blend this into the banana mixture. Add the pecans. Mix well. Pour the batter into a greased 10 × 15-inch baking pan. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Set aside to cool.

For the frosting, mix together the margarine, cream cheese, confectioners’ sugar, vanilla, and pecans in a medium-size bowl. Spread this over the cooled cake. Cut into bars to serve.

YIELD: 36 BARS