Craving a dessert that hits all the right notes? Look no further than these utterly decadent Peanut Butter Banana Blondies. Imagine a rich, dense, and irresistibly fudgy blondie base, brimming with the comforting flavors of creamy peanut butter and sweet ripe bananas. Each square is then elegantly drizzled with a luscious maple glaze and, for the ultimate sweet-and-salty twist, generously sprinkled with crispy, savory bacon bits. If your palate delights in the harmonious dance between contrasting flavors, these ‘Elvis Bars’ are destined to become your new obsession. Prepare to be amazed by this truly unforgettable treat!

A Sweet & Savory Collaboration: Introducing the Ultimate Peanut Butter Banana Blondies

Hello, dear readers! Zainab here, and I’m thrilled to be back with an exciting guest post. As some of you may know, I’ve been battling a persistent cold this week, which has kept me a bit under the weather. But even when I’m not feeling my best, the culinary world continues to inspire! That’s why I’m incredibly grateful to my wonderful friend, Allie, from the phenomenal blog Baking a Moment. When I needed a helping hand at the last minute, Allie stepped up without hesitation, bringing her incredible talent and passion for desserts right to our kitchen – virtually, of course!

If you haven’t yet discovered Allie’s blog, you are in for a real treat. She crafts some of the most imaginative and utterly delicious dessert recipes out there, always with a unique eye for incredible flavor combinations that truly elevate her creations. Beyond her baking prowess, Allie is just as sweet and charming in real life as she comes across on her blog. I had the pleasure of meeting her a few weeks ago during a quick, memorable trip to Washington D.C. She and her lovely family, including her adorable boys and husband, welcomed Mr. J and me into their home with such warmth. Allie is truly the best, and today, she’s here to share her own profound love for peanut butter with all of us (because, let’s be honest, we all know how much you adore your peanut butter!).

Without further ado, please welcome Allie!

Guest Post: Sweet, Salty, and Totally Irresistible – My Peanut Butter Banana Bacon Blondies!

Hey Blahnik Baker readers! It’s Allie here from Baking a Moment, absolutely thrilled to be guest posting today. You guys are truly the best; I know you never miss a beat on Zainab’s incredible blog. Seriously, did you all get a load of Zainab’s last post? That no-bake peanut butter chocolate pie? Oh my goodness, it looked like pure heaven!

I confess, when I first saw that masterpiece, a tiny wave of nervousness washed over me. Here I was, guest posting this week, and I already had my recipe all baked up and ready to share with you all. And yes, it’s another peanut butter creation. That’s right, two peanut butter recipes in one week! But according to Zainab, you fine folks have an insatiable love for peanut butter, and honestly, who can blame you? That’s fantastic news because I am definitely on a major peanut butter kick myself right now. In fact, keep an eye out for yet another peanut butter recipe popping up on Baking a Moment next week – you’ve been warned!

But for today, I simply *have* to share this absolutely crazy, yet unbelievably delicious, concoction that somehow manifested in my baking dreams. It’s unique, it’s bold, and it’s everything you never knew you needed in a dessert.

The Royal Inspiration: Elvis and the Sweet & Salty Revolution

You might be wondering where this delightful madness came from. Well, it’s a bit of a long story, but I’ll keep it short and sweet. My brain was clearly fixated on peanut butter (a common occurrence, let’s be honest). Then, one afternoon, I caught a show on the Cooking Channel where some chefs were crafting a chocolate and bacon dessert. A lightbulb went off! Bacon in dessert? Intrigued, I started thinking about other famous sweet and savory combinations.

And that’s when the legend of Elvis Presley’s favorite comfort food popped into my mind. For those unfamiliar, rumor has it that the King himself was a huge fan of fried peanut butter, banana, and bacon sandwiches. I can vividly remember my initial reaction the first time I heard about it: “How utterly gross!” But you know what? That man was a culinary visionary! He was way ahead of his time, embracing the magical synergy of sweet, salty, and savory long before it became a trendy food movement. And once you taste it, you’ll understand. These Peanut Butter Banana Blondies with Bacon, affectionately dubbed ‘Elvis Bars,’ are a tribute to his genius, and perhaps a more refined, oven-baked version of his iconic sandwich.

Unrivaled Texture: The Secret to Fudgy Blondie Perfection

Let’s talk about the texture of these blondies, because it’s truly something special. They are unbelievably moist, bordering on fudgy. Imagine the lusciousness of a rich peanut butter fudge, but in a delightful bar form. Oh, yes! And that subtle hint of sweet, ripe banana woven throughout? It’s simply divine, adding another layer of depth and natural sweetness without overpowering the star flavors.

These blondies lean towards the sweeter side, which brings me to a crucial point: the bacon is, in my humble opinion, *not* optional. Now, I’m kidding, of course – you can certainly leave it off if that’s your preference. But please know that if you skip the bacon, the blondies will be significantly sweeter than the kinds of desserts I typically prefer. And yes, I know, I’m a little weird for showcasing a bacon dessert in the first place, but trust me on this one.

Seriously, the moment you taste these blondies with the crispy bacon, any lingering doubts will vanish. It all just clicks into place. The salty, smoky crunch of the bacon plays off the rich, sweet blondie base in a way that is utterly transformative. It provides the perfect textural contrast, elevating the dense, gooey interior of the blondie and taking this dessert from merely delicious to absolutely extraordinary. It’s a flavor explosion that balances every bite.

When I set out to develop this blondie recipe, I noticed a common complaint among home bakers: dry or crumbly blondies. That was a challenge I was determined to overcome. And I’m delighted to report that these Peanut Butter Banana Blondies are nowhere near dry or crumbly. Instead, they are intensely fudgy and incredibly moist! The centers are wonderfully soft and tender, while the edges bake up perfectly chewy. It’s truly blondie perfection in every bite.

To truly complete the experience, make sure you pour yourself a tall, cold glass of milk to accompany these babies. The creamy milk cuts through the richness and perfectly complements the sweet and salty flavors. These bars are a “hunka hunka burnin’ love” indeed – sorry, I couldn’t resist channeling a little more of the King! They’re the kind of treat that will have you coming back for more, long after the last crumb is gone.

Get well soon, Zainab! And thank you so much for the incredible opportunity to share my passion for baking with the amazing readers of Blahnik Baker. I sincerely hope you all enjoy these delicious Elvis Bars as much as I do!

Peanut Butter Banana Blondies (aka Elvis Bars)

Dense, moist, and fudgy Peanut Butter Banana Blondies are drizzled with a Maple Glaze and Sprinkled with Bacon! If you like the Sweet and Salty combo, you’ll love these Bars!

Prep Time
15 minutes

Cook Time
25 minutes

Ingredients

For the Topping:

6 slices thick-cut bacon, cut into small pieces
½ cup powdered sugar
3 tablespoons pure maple syrup

For the Blondie Bars:

¾ cup creamy peanut butter
1½ ripe bananas, mashed (about 1 cup)
3 tablespoons vegetable oil
¼ cup milk (1% or whole milk recommended)
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 cup all-purpose flour
½ teaspoon baking powder
½ teaspoon kosher salt

Instructions

Make the Topping:

Saute the bacon over low heat until crisp and beautifully brown. Remove from the pan with a slotted spoon and drain thoroughly on paper towels. Set aside to cool.
In a small bowl, combine the powdered sugar and pure maple syrup, stirring diligently until the mixture is completely smooth and free of lumps. Set aside for glazing.

Make the Blondie Bars:

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Prepare a square baking dish (a 9×9 inch pan works perfectly) by lining it with a sheet of parchment paper, allowing the edges to overhang slightly for easy removal. This also prevents sticking.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the creamy peanut butter and the mashed bananas. Stir them together until well incorporated and smooth.
Add the vegetable oil, milk, and vanilla extract to the peanut butter-banana mixture. Stir again until all wet ingredients are thoroughly combined.
Gradually stir in the remaining dry ingredients: all-purpose flour, baking powder, and kosher salt. Mix until just combined. Be careful not to overmix, as this can lead to tough blondies.
Pour the blondie mixture evenly into your prepared baking pan. Spread it out with a spatula to ensure an even thickness.
Bake for 25 minutes, or until the blondies are soft in the middle but have just begun to brown slightly around the edges. A toothpick inserted into the center might come out with moist crumbs, but not wet batter.
Allow the blondies to cool completely in the pan on a wire rack. This is crucial for them to set properly and achieve that fudgy texture.
Once cooled, carefully remove the blondies from the pan using the parchment paper overhang. Drizzle generously with the prepared maple glaze, then sprinkle with the reserved crispy bacon pieces.
Cut into desired bar sizes and serve immediately. Enjoy your irresistible Peanut Butter Banana Bacon Blondies!

Making this Recipe?

Share it with us on Instagram using #aclassictwist so we can see what you are baking up in your kitchen!

Connect with Allie for More Baking Inspiration!

A huge thank you, Allie, for sharing these truly spectacular Peanut Butter Banana Blondies! They sound absolutely divine, and honestly, Mr. J has already declared that we should make a quick day trip back down to Philly just to raid your kitchen! Since that’s probably not happening, I suppose I’ll just have to whip up a batch for him myself, ASAP. I know for a fact these will be a massive hit in our home, and I’m sure they will be in yours too.

Allie’s talent for creating unique and mouth-watering desserts is undeniable. To discover more fabulous recipes and stay connected with her incredible baking adventures, be sure to follow her through the links below. You won’t want to miss a single delicious post!

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