The Best Banana Bread Cookies 🍌🍪
Sweet, soft, and absolutely irresistible – the perfect treat for banana lovers!
Introduction
If you’ve ever found yourself with ripe bananas staring at you from the kitchen counter, wondering what to do with them, look no further! Banana bread is always a classic go-to, but what if we took it a step further and made it into cookies? These Banana Bread Cookies are the perfect mix of moist banana bread flavor and the soft, chewy texture of a cookie. Imagine biting into one and getting that perfect burst of banana flavor with the warm richness of brown sugar and vanilla—what could be better?
This recipe is super easy to make, and it’s a great way to use up those overripe bananas. Plus, these cookies are wonderful for breakfast, a snack, or dessert. Whether you’re baking for yourself or for a crowd, these cookies will be a hit.
Ingredients
- 2 ripe bananas (mashed)
- ½ cup unsalted butter (softened)
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking soda
- ½ tsp salt
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon (optional but recommended!)
- 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips (optional, but highly encouraged!)
Methods & Instructions
Step 1: Prep the Bananas
First, peel the bananas and mash them in a bowl. The bananas should be very ripe—think brown spots and all! Mash them until they’re smooth with only a few lumps remaining.
Step 2: Cream Butter & Sugar
In a separate bowl, cream together the softened butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy. This will create the base for your cookies and give them that delicious, melt-in-your-mouth sweetness.
Step 3: Add the Egg & Vanilla
Next, mix in the egg and vanilla extract. Make sure to fully incorporate the egg, so the dough comes together easily.
Step 4: Mix Dry Ingredients
In another bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon. This will ensure that all the dry ingredients are evenly distributed before adding them to the wet ingredients.
Step 5: Combine Wet & Dry Ingredients
Gradually fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture. Stir gently until just combined, being careful not to over-mix. The dough should be soft and slightly sticky.
Step 6: Add the Bananas & Chocolate Chips
Now, add the mashed bananas to the dough. Mix gently to incorporate the bananas into the dough. If you’re using chocolate chips (and why wouldn’t you be?), fold them into the dough now.
Step 7: Scoop & Shape the Cookies
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Using a spoon or cookie scoop, drop rounded tablespoons of dough onto the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart.
Step 8: Bake
Bake for about 10-12 minutes or until the cookies are golden brown around the edges. They will still be soft when you remove them from the oven, so allow them to cool on the sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
History of Banana Bread & Banana Cookies
Banana bread has its roots in the early 20th century, becoming a staple in American kitchens during the Great Depression. During this time, the use of overripe bananas was a way to avoid waste and make affordable, delicious meals. Since then, banana bread has become a beloved comfort food, with many families passing down recipes over generations.
As for banana bread cookies, they’re a modern twist on the classic banana bread. While the specific origin of banana bread cookies isn’t well-documented, it’s safe to say that the love for bananas and their versatility has led to a growing trend of turning banana-based baked goods into easy-to-make cookies. These soft, flavorful cookies capture the essence of banana bread in a fun, handheld form, making them a favorite among dessert lovers everywhere.
The Formation of a Perfect Cookie:
Creating the perfect banana bread cookie is all about balance. The key lies in the ratio of banana to flour. Too much banana, and the dough can become too wet to hold together. Too little, and the banana flavor gets lost. The addition of butter ensures a rich, tender texture, while the brown sugar adds that wonderful caramel-like sweetness.
By adding a little baking soda, we give the cookies a nice lift, while the cinnamon adds warmth and depth. The optional chocolate chips are a game-changer, making these cookies an indulgent treat that hits every note—sweet, fruity, and a little bit decadent.
Lovers of Banana Bread Cookies:
- Banana lovers: If you love anything banana-flavored, you’re going to want to keep this recipe in your regular rotation. These cookies make the perfect use for overripe bananas, turning them into something totally irresistible.
- Cookie lovers: Who doesn’t love cookies? These cookies bring the best of both worlds—banana bread and cookies—into one delicious bite. Soft, chewy, and bursting with flavor, they’re sure to satisfy your sweet tooth.
- Chocolate chip lovers: The optional chocolate chips are an added bonus! They take these cookies from delicious to extraordinary, balancing out the sweetness of the bananas and brown sugar.
Conclusion
Banana bread is already a crowd-pleaser, but these Banana Bread Cookies take things to a whole new level. They are soft, sweet, and incredibly satisfying. Whether you bake them to use up some overripe bananas or simply because you’re craving something sweet, these cookies are bound to become your new favorite.
So, the next time you find yourself with a few ripe bananas, skip the usual banana bread and try these Banana Bread Cookies. Trust me, your taste buds will thank you!
Pro Tip: These cookies also freeze beautifully! So if you have leftovers, pop them in an airtight container and store them in the freezer. That way, you can enjoy the goodness of banana bread cookies anytime you want! 😋🍌🍪