Romney Native-Son Bias Banana Bars

Republican presidential hopeful Mitt Romney grew up in Bloomfield Hills, MI, where his father worked for General Motors.  His dad was elected Governor of Michigan in 1962 and was re-elected by increasingly large margins in 1964 and 1966. Papa Romney worked to overhaul the state's financial and revenue structure, culminating in Michigan's first state income tax, and greatly expanded the size of state government. He ran as a moderate in the 1964 Republican Presidential Primary against conservative Republican Barry Goldwater, and later served in Richard Nixon's cabinet. 


Perhaps Mitt's Michigan roots can propel him to a win in his native state tomorrow.

Romney Native-Son Bias Banana Bars

24 bar cookies

Nepotism can be sweet...

1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, softened

1 cup sugar shopping list

½ cup packed brown sugar shopping list

2 eggs shopping list

1 cup over ripe mashed bananas (3 large bananas) shopping list

½ cup sour cream shopping list shopping list

2 cups flour shopping list

1 teaspoon baking soda

½ teaspoon salt shopping list

Frostingshopping list

1 pkg. (8 oz.) cream cheese, softenedshopping list

1/4 cup butter, softened shopping list

1 tablespoon milk shopping list

3 cups powdered sugar shopping list

1 teaspoon vanilla

1/2 cup toasted chopped walnuts (optional)

Heat oven to 350°F.  Line 10x15-inch jelly roll pan with foil; spray with nonstick cooking spray.

shopping listCream butter and sugars in large bowl.  Add eggs; mix well.  Beat in bananas.  Add combined flour, soda, and salt to batter alternately with sour cream until well blended. Spread batter evenly in prepared pan.

Bake for 24 to 28 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.  Cool completely.

While bars are cooling, beat frosting ingredients in medium bowl with electric mixer. Spread over cooled bars. Sprinkle with toasted walnuts if desired.

Tip:

To toast walnuts, spread in single layer on baking sheet. Bake at 375°F for 5 to 7 minutes or until fragrant and lightly toasted.