Egg-Free Banana Bars

Directions

1. 1
   For the base:
2. 2
   Preheat oven to 350 F. Grease a 9 x 13-inch baking pan.
3. 3
   In a medium bowl, combine the flour, baking soda and salt. Stir together and set aside.
4. 4
   In a large bowl cream together the shortening and sugar with an electric mixer. Add the milk and vanilla extract and mix well.
5. 5
   Add the flour mixture into the creamed mixture and beat well. Add the banana and the lemon juice and stir to combine. Pour the batter into the pan and spread evenly.
6. 6
   Bake for 20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Remove from oven. Allow the bars to cool in the pan on a wire rack.
7. 7
   For the glaze:
8. 8
   When the bars are cool, make the glaze. Melt the butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. When the butter is melted, remove pan from heat. Add the powdered sugar and vanilla extract. Stir to combine. Mixture will be very dry and clumpy.
9. 9
   Add the water, a tablespoon at a time, until the desired consistency is reached (the listed amount is usually enough). If the glaze becomes too thin, add a little more powdered sugar.
10. 10
    Pour the glaze over the cooled bars and spread with a knife or rubber spatula.
11. 11
    Adapted from a Banana Bars recipe on allrecipes.com.