Banana Bread Walnut Bars with a Dairy-Free Condensed Milk Base

These banana bread bars offer a delightful twist on classic flavors, featuring a sweet and nutty base topped with soft banana-infused bread.

Equipment:

• Measuring cups and spoons
• 9x13-inch baking dish
• 1.5/2-inch scoop
• Stock pot
• Mixing bowl

Ingredients for Banana Bread:

• 6 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 1/2 cup milk
• 1 tablespoon honey
• 1/3 cup granulated sugar, divided
• 1/2 cup warm water (110°F)
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 2 teaspoons instant active yeast
• 1 cup ripe bananas, mashed (about 2 medium bananas)
• 3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour (plus additional 1/2 cup if needed)

Ingredients for Base Layer:

• 1 1/2 cups chopped walnuts
• Two 11.25-ounce cans of dairy-free sweetened condensed milk
• 1 tablespoon unsalted butter (for greasing the dish)

Instructions:

For the Banana Bread:

1. In a mixing bowl, combine the mashed bananas with cinnamon, salt, and half the sugar until smooth.
2. In a separate bowl, dissolve the remaining sugar, yeast, and honey in warm water. Let it sit for 5 minutes until it starts to bubble, indicating that the yeast is active.
3. In a stockpot, combine the butter, milk, and the rest of the sugar. Heat until just bubbling around the edges but not boiling. Allow it to cool partially.
4. Pour the yeast mixture into the banana mixture, then add the milk mixture. Begin to incorporate the flour, half a cup at a time, until a sticky dough forms.

For the Base Layer:

1. Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish with 1 tablespoon of butter.
2. Evenly spread the chopped walnuts across the bottom of the dish and pour the dairy-free sweetened condensed milk over them.
3. With the scoop, distribute the banana bread dough in dollops over the walnut and condensed milk layer.
4. Cover the dish with a towel and let the dough rise in a warm, draft-free area until it has tripled in size, approximately 3 to 5 hours.

Baking:

1. Once risen, preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Place the baking dish in the oven and bake for 35-45 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and a toothpick comes out clean.
3. After baking, let the bars rest for 5 minutes, then carefully flip the dish over onto a serving platter to reveal the walnut condensed milk layer now on top.

Enjoy the warm, comforting taste of these Banana Bread Walnut Bars, with a gooey, nutty base complemented by the soft texture of banana bread — a cozy treat for any occasion!