Banana Bread Cookies: The Perfect Bite-Sized Treat
Are you craving the comforting warmth of banana bread but want a more manageable, bite-sized treat? Then look no further! These Banana Bread Cookies offer all the deliciousness of your favorite loaf, perfectly portioned for satisfying snacking. This recipe is easy to follow, even for beginner bakers, and delivers incredibly moist and flavorful cookies every time. Get ready to impress your friends and family with this irresistible twist on a classic!
Ingredients You'll Need:
This recipe uses simple, readily available ingredients. Make sure to use ripe bananas for maximum sweetness and flavor!
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- ¾ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- ¾ cup packed light brown sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup mashed ripe bananas (about 2-3 medium bananas)
- ½ cup chopped walnuts or pecans (optional)
- ½ cup chocolate chips (optional)
Step-by-Step Baking Instructions:
Let's get baking! Follow these simple steps for perfectly delicious banana bread cookies:
1. Preheat & Prep: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper. This prevents sticking and makes cleanup a breeze.
2. Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt. This ensures even distribution of the leavening agents.
3. Cream Butter & Sugars: In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy. You can use a hand mixer or a stand mixer for this step.
4. Add Eggs & Vanilla: Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in the vanilla extract.
5. Combine Wet & Dry: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. Be careful not to overmix.
6. Bananas & Mix-ins: Gently fold in the mashed bananas, walnuts (if using), and chocolate chips (if using).
7. Scoop & Bake: Drop rounded tablespoons of cookie dough onto the prepared baking sheets, leaving about 2 inches between each cookie.
8. Baking Time: Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with just a few moist crumbs.
9. Cooling & Enjoying: Let the cookies cool on the baking sheets for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Tips for the Perfect Banana Bread Cookie:
- Use ripe bananas: The riper the bananas, the sweeter and more flavorful your cookies will be.
- Don't overmix: Overmixing can lead to tough cookies. Mix only until the ingredients are just combined.
- Chill the dough (optional): For thicker cookies, chill the dough for at least 30 minutes before baking.
- Adjust sweetness: If you prefer less sweet cookies, reduce the amount of sugar by ¼ cup.
- Get creative with mix-ins: Try adding other mix-ins like raisins, cranberries, or chopped macadamia nuts.
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