Banana Bread Cookies combine the delicious flavor of banana bread with the easy-to-make and portable nature of cookies. These soft, chewy cookies are perfect for using up ripe bananas and making a treat that everyone will love. Here’s a simple recipe to make Banana Bread Cookies:
Ingredients:
- 2 ripe bananas, mashed
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar (you can reduce this to 3/4 cup for less sweetness)
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon (optional, for extra flavor)
- 1/2 cup rolled oats (optional, for added texture)
- 1/2 cup chocolate chips or chopped nuts (optional, for added flavor)
- 1/4 cup milk (optional, if the dough feels too thick)
Instructions:
1. Prepare the Oven and Baking Sheet:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat to prevent sticking.
2. Make the Cookie Dough:
- In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and sugar until light and fluffy (about 2-3 minutes).
- Add the mashed bananas, egg, and vanilla extract to the mixture, and beat until well combined.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon (if using).
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing just until combined. The dough may be slightly sticky, but if it’s too thick, you can add a little milk to help it come together.
- Stir in the rolled oats and any add-ins like chocolate chips or chopped nuts (if using).
3. Scoop the Dough:
- Use a cookie scoop or tablespoon to drop dough onto the prepared baking sheet. Make sure to leave about 2 inches of space between each cookie since they will spread slightly while baking.
4. Bake the Cookies:
- Bake in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges of the cookies are golden brown. The center may still be soft, but it will firm up as they cool.
- Once baked, remove the cookies from the oven and let them cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
5. Serve:
- Enjoy your warm Banana Bread Cookies with a glass of milk, coffee, or tea!
Tips:
- Ripe Bananas: The riper your bananas, the sweeter and more flavorful your cookies will be. If your bananas are overly ripe, don’t throw them away—this is the perfect use!
- Add-ins: Feel free to customize the cookies with your favorite add-ins like raisins, dried cranberries, or shredded coconut for extra flavor.
- Texture Variations: If you want a more traditional banana bread texture, add a bit more mashed banana to the dough, but be mindful of the dough’s consistency as it could affect how the cookies hold their shape.
These Banana Bread Cookies are the perfect hybrid of comfort food and convenience. They’re soft, flavorful, and a great way to use up overripe bananas! Enjoy!