Banana Bread Cookies: Soft, Chewy & Packed with Flavor!
Introduction
Banana Bread Cookies are the delightful cross between moist banana bread and chewy cookies, giving you the best of both worlds. Packed with ripe bananas, warm spices, and optional add-ins like chocolate chips or nuts, these cookies are soft, flavorful, and comforting. They’re perfect for breakfast, an afternoon snack, or even a healthier dessert. Unlike traditional cookies, they carry the moist, cakey texture of banana bread while still holding their classic cookie shape.
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour (or whole wheat flour for a healthier twist)
- 1 tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp baking soda
- ½ tsp salt
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- ¼ tsp ground nutmeg
Wet Ingredients
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened (or coconut oil for dairy-free)
- ½ cup brown sugar (lightly packed)
- ¼ cup granulated sugar (or coconut sugar)
- 1 large egg
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 cup mashed ripe bananas (about 2 medium bananas)
Optional Mix-ins
- ½ cup chocolate chips (semi-sweet or dark)
- ½ cup chopped walnuts or pecans
- ½ cup shredded coconut or dried fruit
Instructions
- Preheat Oven:
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Mix Dry Ingredients:
- In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
- Cream Wet Ingredients:
- In a large mixing bowl, beat butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until light and fluffy.
- Add the egg and vanilla extract, mixing until combined.
- Stir in mashed bananas until smooth.
- Combine Mixtures:
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients.
- Fold in chocolate chips, nuts, or coconut if desired.
- Shape Cookies:
- Drop spoonfuls of dough onto the prepared baking sheet, spacing about 2 inches apart.
- Bake:
- Bake for 10–12 minutes, or until cookies are golden and set.
- Allow to cool for 5 minutes on the baking sheet before transferring to a wire rack.
- Serve & Enjoy:
- Enjoy warm or store in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
Methods
- Baking Method: Classic cookie baking for chewy centers and slightly crisp edges.
- Healthier Method: Substitute whole wheat flour, coconut sugar, and coconut oil.
- Indulgent Method: Add extra chocolate chips or drizzle with cream cheese glaze.
History
Banana bread gained popularity in the 1930s in America, during the Great Depression, when thrifty bakers sought ways to use overripe bananas. Cookies, of course, have existed for centuries, originating from small test cakes in medieval Europe. The fusion of banana bread and cookies is a modern creation, inspired by the love for both classic treats, turning a loaf into a portable, snackable version.
Benefits
- Reduces waste: A delicious way to use overripe bananas.
- Nutritious: Bananas add potassium, fiber, and natural sweetness.
- Portable: Easier to pack than banana bread slices.
- Customizable: Works with chocolate, nuts, dried fruits, or spices.
- Kid-approved: Soft texture and sweetness make them great for lunchboxes.
Formation
Banana Bread Cookies are formed by creating a soft dough, enriched with mashed bananas and warm spices, then baked into chewy rounds. The bananas provide natural moisture, while butter and sugar balance flavor and texture, making each cookie a mini version of banana bread.
Conclusion
Banana Bread Cookies are the perfect fusion of soft banana bread and chewy cookies. Moist, flavorful, and endlessly adaptable, they’re a treat that everyone can enjoy. Whether eaten warm with a glass of milk, packed in a lunchbox, or served at a family gathering, these cookies guarantee comfort and joy in every bite.
Lovers of This Dish
- Banana bread lovers (now in cookie form!)
- Kids and families (perfectly sweet and snackable)
- Bakers who hate waste (a smart way to use ripe bananas)
- Cookie lovers (a soft, spiced alternative to classic cookies)
- Health-conscious snackers (with the right swaps, they’re wholesome and light)