Rebekah's Glazed Banana Nut Bars

Glazed Banana Nut Bars

1/2 cup butter, softened
1-1/2 cups sugar
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/8 teaspoon ground allspice
1 cup mashed ripe bananas
1/2 cup milk
1 cup finely chopped walnuts (optional)

Glaze:
1/4 cup butter, softened
1-1/2 cups confectioners' sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 to 3 tablespoons boiling water
1/2 cup chopped walnuts

In a mixing bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Add vanilla. Combine flour, baking powder, salt, baking soda, and spices. Combine bananas and milk. Add the dry ingredients to creamed mixture alternately with banana mixture; mix well. Stir in nuts. Pour into a greased 15 in. x 10 in. x 1 in. baking pan. Bake at 350 for 20-25 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. Cool on a wire rack. For glaze, cream butter and sugar in a small mixing bowl. Stir in vanilla and enough water until glaze reaches desired consistency. Spread over bars. Sprinkle with walnuts. Yield: About 3 dozen. (Note: When I made these for MOPS I did not include the walnuts, either in the bars or on top. Also, margarine can be used instead of butter if you prefer.)