Banana Bread Cookies Recipe
If you love the comforting aroma and tender crumb of banana bread but want a fun, portable twist, this Banana Bread Cookies Recipe is your new best friend. These soft, cake-like cookies carry all the warm spices and sweet banana flavor you adore, but in a perfectly portioned, handheld form. Whether you’re baking for a crowd or just craving a personal treat, these cookies are incredibly simple to whip up and pack a delightful punch of texture and taste that will keep everyone coming back for more.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Gathering simple, pantry-friendly ingredients is the secret to making these delicious Banana Bread Cookies come together effortlessly. Each one plays a key role, from giving moisture and sweetness to adding depth of flavor and a satisfying texture.
- Ripe banana: The star of the show, providing natural sweetness and moisture, ensuring soft, tender cookies.
- Unsalted butter: Adds richness and creates a melt-in-your-mouth texture when creamed with sugar.
- Brown sugar: Gives a deep caramel-like sweetness and keeps the cookies moist.
- Granulated sugar: Balances sweetness and contributes to the cookie’s light texture.
- Large egg: Binds the ingredients, adds structure, and contributes to the cookie’s soft crumb.
- Vanilla extract: Enhances all the flavors, adding warm, sweet notes.
- All-purpose flour: Provides structure and holds everything together perfectly.
- Baking soda: Helps the cookies rise gently, creating a tender crumb.
- Salt: Balances sweetness and boosts all the other flavors.
- Ground cinnamon: Adds a cozy, spicy warmth that’s classic in banana goodies.
- Nutmeg (optional): Offers a subtle earthy spiciness that complements the cinnamon beautifully.
- Chopped walnuts or pecans (optional): Introduces a delightful crunch and nutty flavor contrast.
- Mini chocolate chips (optional): Bring bursts of melty sweetness and a touch of indulgence.
How to Make Banana Bread Cookies Recipe
Step 1: Preheat and Prepare
Start by heating your oven to 350°F (175°C), and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. This simple prep ensures your cookies won’t stick and bake evenly.
Step 2: Cream Butter and Sugars
In a large bowl, beat the softened butter with the brown and granulated sugars until the mixture looks light and fluffy. This takes a few minutes but is essential for giving your cookies that tender, airy texture.
Step 3: Add Egg, Banana, and Vanilla
Next, stir in the egg for structure, then blend in the mashed banana and vanilla extract. The banana introduces moisture and natural sweetness, while vanilla adds a lovely fragrance.
Step 4: Mix Dry Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and optional nutmeg. Combining these ensures the spices and leavening are evenly distributed for consistent flavor and rise.
Step 5: Combine Wet and Dry
Gradually fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, stopping as soon as everything is just combined. Overmixing can make the cookies tough, so gentle folding is key here.
Step 6: Add Nuts and Chocolate Chips (Optional)
If you’re using chopped nuts or mini chocolate chips, fold them in now for extra texture and flavor bursts in every bite.
Step 7: Shape and Bake
Drop dollops of dough, about 1 to 2 tablespoons each, onto your baking sheet. Leave around two inches between each to give them room to spread. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes, watching for lightly golden edges and set centers.
Step 8: Cool and Enjoy
Let the cookies rest on the baking sheet for five minutes before transferring to a wire rack. This helps them firm up just right and makes them easier to move without breaking.
How to Serve Banana Bread Cookies Recipe
Garnishes
Sprinkle a touch of cinnamon sugar on top right after baking for an extra sparkle, or dust with powdered sugar for a pretty presentation. If you want more texture, a few extra chopped nuts pressed gently on top before baking adds a delightful crunch.
Side Dishes
These cookies pair wonderfully with a simple glass of cold milk or a warm mug of coffee, tea, or even hot cocoa. The creamy drinks complement the soft, spiced flavors beautifully, making for a cozy snack or dessert.
Creative Ways to Present
For a fun twist, sandwich two banana bread cookies together with a smear of cream cheese frosting or peanut butter. You can also crumble them over vanilla ice cream for an irresistible banana bread crumble sundae.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Keep any leftover Banana Bread Cookies stored in an airtight container at room temperature. They will stay fresh and soft for up to three days, making them a perfect make-ahead treat for busy days.
Freezing
If you want to save cookies for longer, freeze them in a sealed container or freezer bag. They hold up well in the freezer for about two months. When you’re ready, just thaw at room temperature for a delicious snack anytime.
Reheating
To bring back the freshly baked warmth, microwave a cookie for about 10 seconds or warm them in a low oven at 300°F (150°C) for a few minutes. This little step revives their softness and enhances flavor.
FAQs
Can I use overripe bananas for this Banana Bread Cookies Recipe?
Absolutely! Overripe bananas are actually perfect because they provide maximum sweetness and moisture, which results in those wonderfully soft, flavorful cookies.
What can I substitute for butter in this recipe?
You can use an equal amount of coconut oil or a plant-based butter substitute if you prefer a dairy-free version, though keep in mind this might slightly change the texture and flavor.
Are these cookies gluten-free?
The traditional recipe uses all-purpose flour, but you can try a gluten-free all-purpose blend to make these cookies gluten-free. Just make sure your baking soda and other ingredients are also gluten-free.
Can I skip the nuts and chocolate chips?
Definitely. Both are optional and can be left out if you prefer a simpler cookie or have allergies. The cookies will still taste amazing and retain their soft, banana bread-like qualities.
How long do these cookies stay fresh?
Stored properly in an airtight container, your Banana Bread Cookies will stay fresh for about three days at room temperature. Beyond that, freezing is your best bet to keep them tasting great.
Final Thoughts
There’s something so perfectly cozy about the warm, spiced flavor of banana bread, and this Banana Bread Cookies Recipe captures all that nostalgia in a fun, easy-to-eat form. Whether you’re baking for family, friends, or just treating yourself, these cookies are sure to become a cherished favorite. Give them a try and enjoy a little slice of comfort in every bite!
Print
Banana Bread Cookies Recipe
- Total Time: 22 minutes
- Yield: 18 cookies 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Delightfully soft and cake-like, these Banana Bread Cookies capture the rich flavors of classic banana bread in a convenient cookie form. Perfect for a quick snack or a sweet treat, they blend ripe bananas, warm spices, and optional walnuts or chocolate chips for a delicious twist.
Ingredients
Wet Ingredients
- 1 ripe banana, mashed
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Dry Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg (optional)
Optional Mix-ins
- 1/2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans
- 1/2 cup mini chocolate chips
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Baking Sheet: 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, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy, creating a smooth base for the cookies.
- Combine Wet Ingredients: Beat in the egg, mashed banana, and vanilla extract until fully incorporated, ensuring a moist and flavorful dough.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg to evenly distribute the leavening agents and spices.
- Combine Wet and Dry Mixtures: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring gently until just combined to avoid overmixing and maintain a tender texture.
- Add Optional Ingredients: Fold in chopped walnuts or pecans and/or mini chocolate chips if desired, adding extra flavor and texture to the cookies.
- Shape Cookies and Bake: Drop spoonfuls of dough, about 1 to 2 tablespoons each, onto the prepared baking sheet, spacing them roughly 2 inches apart to allow spreading. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes, or until the edges turn lightly golden and the centers are set.
- Cool and Serve: Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes to firm up before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. Enjoy!
Notes
- These cookies have a soft, cake-like texture similar to banana bread.
- Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
- Freeze the cookies for longer storage to maintain freshness.
- Feel free to adjust the amount of nuts or chocolate chips based on your preference.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
