To make the cookie bar base, cream together softened butter and both sugars. Add in the eggs, salt, and vanilla extract and blend until just combined.
Next, add in the flour and baking powder and blend until mixture forms a dough. Press dough into a greased 9x13" baking dish. Bake for 20-22 minutes or until light golden on top. Mine baked for 22 minutes and came out perfect. Make sure not to over bake cookie dough.
After the cookie bars have baked, and while it's cooling, go ahead and make the sweet cream cheese filling. Blend together softened cream cheese and powdered sugar until smooth. Fold in 2 cups whipped topping. Spread carefully over cooled cookie bar crust.
Grab those bananas and start slicing! You'll want them thin enough to cover the entire surface. Layer all over, evenly, on top of the cream cheese filling.
Next, make the Banana pudding. Whisk together vanilla pudding mix and milk until thickened. Dollop over cream cheese filling and spread evenly.
Finally, Spread more whipped topping over entire dessert and chill in fridge for about 2-3 hours or until set up.
Top with more banana slices and crushed or whole vanilla wafer cookies, if desired. Remember to add extra banana slices just before serving.