Description
Delightfully soft and cake-like, these Banana Bread Cookies combine the comforting flavors of classic banana bread with the convenience of a cookie. Perfect for a quick snack or a sweet treat, they offer a tender texture enriched with mashed ripe bananas, warm cinnamon, and optional chunks of nuts or chocolate chips for added indulgence.
Ingredients
Scale
Wet Ingredients
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup brown sugar, packed
- 1 large ripe banana, mashed (about 1/2 cup)
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Dry Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Optional Mix-ins
- 1/2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans
- 1/2 cup mini chocolate chips
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure even baking.
- Cream Butter and Sugars: In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar using a hand mixer or stand mixer until the mixture is light and fluffy, which takes about 2-3 minutes.
- Add Banana, Egg, and Vanilla: Mix in the mashed ripe banana, followed by the egg and vanilla extract, blending thoroughly until well combined and smooth.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, baking powder, ground cinnamon, and salt to ensure even distribution of leavening agents and spice.
- Mix Dry into Wet: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet banana mixture, folding gently and stirring until just combined to avoid overmixing, which can toughen the cookies.
- Add Optional Mix-ins: Fold in chopped walnuts, pecans, or mini chocolate chips if using, distributing them evenly throughout the dough for added texture and flavor.
- Scoop Dough: Drop tablespoon-sized scoops of dough onto the prepared baking sheet, spacing each about 2 inches apart to allow for spreading as they bake.
- Bake: Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 10 to 12 minutes, or until the edges turn lightly golden and the centers appear set but still soft.
- Cool: Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes to firm up before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely for the best texture.
Notes
- These cookies have a soft, cake-like texture reminiscent of banana bread, making them a delightful twist on traditional cookies.
- Store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days to maintain freshness.
- For longer storage, freeze the cookies in a sealed container; thaw at room temperature before serving.
- Enhance the indulgence by adding a glaze or cream cheese frosting on top, perfect for special occasions or extra sweetness.
