**Banana Bread Bars Recipe**

These banana bread bars are a delightful treat that can be enjoyed at any time of the day. They are moist, flavorful, and easy to make, making them a perfect choice for breakfast, a snack, or dessert. Customize them with your favorite nuts or chocolate chips for an extra touch!

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### Ingredients:
– **3 ripe bananas**, mashed
– **1/2 cup unsalted butter**, melted
– **1 cup granulated sugar**
– **1/2 cup brown sugar**, packed
– **2 large eggs**
– **1 teaspoon vanilla extract**
– **1 teaspoon baking soda**
– **1/2 teaspoon salt**
– **1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour**
– **1/2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans** (optional)
– **1/2 cup chocolate chips** (optional)

### Instructions:
1. **Preheat Oven**: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. **Mash Bananas**: In a large mixing bowl, mash the ripe bananas with a fork until smooth, leaving a few small chunks for texture if desired.
3. **Mix Wet Ingredients**: Pour in the melted butter and mix until well combined. Add the granulated sugar and brown sugar, stirring until fully incorporated.
4. **Add Eggs and Vanilla**: Crack in the eggs and add the vanilla extract, whisking until smooth and creamy.
5. **Combine Dry Ingredients**: In a separate bowl, combine the baking soda and salt with the all-purpose flour.
6. **Mix Wet and Dry Ingredients**: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring gently to avoid overmixing.
7. **Add Mix-Ins**: If desired, fold in the chopped walnuts or pecans and chocolate chips.
8. **Prepare Baking Pan**: Grease a 9×13 inch baking pan with butter or non-stick spray, and optionally line the bottom with parchment paper.
9. **Pour Batter**: Pour the batter into the prepared baking dish, spreading it evenly.
10. **Bake**: Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, checking for doneness with a toothpick.
11. **Cool**: Once baked, let the bars cool in the pan for about 10 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
12. **Slice and Serve**: Once cooled, slice into squares or rectangles and dust with powdered sugar if desired.

### Notes:
– Feel free to customize the bars by adding your favorite mix-ins such as nuts or chocolate chips.
– Store any leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerate for longer freshness.

### Prep Time:
15 minutes

### Cook Time:
30 minutes

### Total Time:
45 minutes

### Yield:
12-16 bars

Enjoy these delicious banana bread bars warm or at room temperature, paired with a cup of coffee or tea!