If you adore the cozy flavors of a comforting baked treat with a natural fruit twist, you are going to fall head over heels for this Banana Cookies Recipe. These cookies capture the sweet, mellow essence of ripe bananas and turn it into a soft, chewy bite-perfect treat that feels like a warm hug from the inside out. What’s marvelous about this recipe is how easily it transforms a few simple ingredients into a batch of golden, fragrant cookies that are perfect for snack time, dessert, or sharing with friends. Let me take you through the magic of making these banana wonders step by step.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Gathering the ingredients for this Banana Cookies Recipe is delightfully straightforward, yet each item plays a vital role in bringing the texture, flavor, and balance that make these cookies unforgettable. From the flour that provides structure to the mashed bananas that add natural sweetness and moisture, every ingredient is indispensable.
- All-purpose flour (1 â…” cups or 217 g): The foundation that gives your cookies their tender body.
- Cornstarch (1 teaspoon): Helps create a soft, melt-in-your-mouth crumb.
- Baking powder (1 ½ teaspoons): Essential for a gentle rise and airy texture.
- Baking soda (½ teaspoon): Works in harmony with the acidic banana to make the cookies light.
- Salt (½ teaspoon): Balances sweetness and enhances overall flavor.
- Light brown sugar (1 cup or 210 g, packed): Adds deep caramel notes and moisture to the batter.
- Unsalted butter (5 tablespoons, softened): Brings richness and tenderness.
- Mashed ripe banana (¼ cup or 56 g): The star ingredient that lends natural sweetness and incredible moistness.
- Vanilla extract (1 teaspoon): Infuses a warm, fragrant aroma that lifts every bite.
- Large egg (room temperature): Binds the ingredients while contributing to the soft texture.
How to Make Banana Cookies Recipe
Step 1: Prepare Your Oven and Baking Sheets
Start by preheating your oven to 375ºF to ensure it’s at the perfect baking temperature when you’re ready to pop in the cookies. Then, line two baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent sticking and help the cookies bake evenly. This prep step sets you up for cookie perfection.
Step 2: Combine Dry Ingredients
In a small bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, cornstarch, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. This dry ingredients mix will create the backbone of your cookies, ensuring even distribution of raising agents and seasoning.
Step 3: Cream Butter and Sugar, Add Banana and Vanilla
In a much larger bowl, beat the softened butter with the light brown sugar until the mixture turns light and fluffy. This is the key to a tender cookie crumb. Next, incorporate your mashed banana, vanilla extract, and the egg, mixing just until combined to preserve that luscious, moist base.
Step 4: Gently Fold in Dry Ingredients
Using a silicone spatula, stir the flour mixture into your banana batter carefully until there are no visible streaks of flour. Overmixing can make cookies tough, so fold just until everything comes together.
Step 5: Scoop and Space Your Cookie Dough
Grab a 1.5-tablespoon cookie scoop to drop uniformly sized dollops onto your lined baking sheets. Be sure to space them about 2 inches apart, giving each cookie room to spread beautifully as it bakes.
Step 6: Bake to Golden Perfection
Bake for 10 minutes or until the edges turn a light golden brown. It’s crucial to let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack. This resting period lets them firm up so you get that perfect chewy outside and tender inside.
How to Serve Banana Cookies Recipe
Garnishes
To make your Banana Cookies Recipe presentation shine, consider a light dusting of powdered sugar or a drizzle of melted dark chocolate. A sprinkle of chopped walnuts or pecans on top before baking adds a delightful crunch and earthy flavor balance that will take your cookies to the next level.
Side Dishes
Pair your cookies with a tall glass of cold milk, a steaming cup of coffee, or a creamy chai latte. These drinks complement the sweet banana notes and make each bite more indulgent and satisfying.
Creative Ways to Present
Turn these cookies into a charming dessert by layering them with Greek yogurt and fresh berries for a parfait. You can also sandwich them with peanut butter or cream cheese frosting to create a fun snack that dazzles both kids and adults alike.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Once fully cooled, you can keep your Banana Cookies Recipe airtight in a container at room temperature for up to 4 days. This helps maintain their soft texture and keeps them fresh enough to enjoy at any moment.
Freezing
If you want to stash some away for later, these cookies freeze beautifully. Place them in a single layer on a baking sheet to freeze initially, then transfer to a sealed freezer bag. They’ll stay good for up to 2 months and thaw quickly whenever the craving strikes.
Reheating
To bring back that freshly baked warmth, simply microwave frozen or refrigerated cookies for about 10 to 15 seconds. You can also pop them in a preheated oven at 300ºF for 5 minutes for an even crispier edge with a soft center.
FAQs
Can I substitute mashed banana with banana puree?
Absolutely! Banana puree works the same as mashed banana in this Banana Cookies Recipe, just ensure it’s ripe for maximum sweetness and moisture.
What type of flour is best for these cookies?
All-purpose flour is ideal as it provides the right balance of structure and tenderness. Using cake flour could make the cookies too delicate, while whole wheat might change the texture and flavor.
Can I add nuts or chocolate chips to this Banana Cookies Recipe?
Definitely! Adding chopped walnuts, pecans, or chocolate chips is a great way to customize your cookies and introduce new textures and flavors.
How ripe should the bananas be?
For the best flavor and moisture, use bananas that are very ripe with plenty of brown spots. This ensures they mash easily and add natural sweetness.
Are these cookies gluten-free?
This particular Banana Cookies Recipe uses all-purpose flour, which contains gluten. To make it gluten-free, try substituting with a gluten-free flour blend, but expect a slight change in texture.
Final Thoughts
Making these Banana Cookies Recipe is such a rewarding experience because you get to enjoy a simple, wholesome treat packed with natural flavor and heartwarming nostalgia. Whether you’re baking for yourself or sharing with loved ones, these cookies are bound to bring smiles and maybe even a few happy tears. So, grab those ripe bananas and give this recipe a try — I promise it’ll become one of your top go-to sweets in no time!
Print
Banana Cookies Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Delightfully soft and chewy banana cookies that combine the natural sweetness of ripe bananas with a tender texture, perfect for a wholesome snack or dessert.
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 1 â…” cups (217 g) all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon cornstarch
- 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
Wet Ingredients
- 1 cup (210 g) light brown sugar, packed
- 5 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
- ¼ cup (56 g) mashed ripe banana
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 large egg, room temperature
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375ºF (190ºC). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure easy clean-up.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a small bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, cornstarch, baking powder, baking soda, and salt to evenly distribute the leavening agents and salt.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large bowl, beat the softened unsalted butter together with the packed light brown sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy. This step helps to aerate the dough, contributing to tender cookies.
- Add Banana, Vanilla, and Egg: Incorporate the mashed ripe banana, vanilla extract, and the room temperature egg into the creamed butter and sugar mixture, mixing until well blended to create a smooth batter.
- Combine Wet and Dry Mixtures: Gradually fold the dry ingredients into the banana mixture using a silicone spatula, stirring carefully until fully combined without overmixing to maintain a tender texture.
- Form Cookies: Using a 1.5-tablespoon cookie scoop or spoon, drop the dough onto the prepared baking sheets, spacing the cookies approximately 2 inches apart to allow for spreading during baking.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for about 10 minutes or until the cookies are lightly browned on the edges, indicating they are cooked through.
- Cool: Remove the baking sheets from the oven and let the cookies cool on the pan for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely, ensuring the cookies firm up and retain their shape.
Notes
- For best results, use ripe bananas with brown spots for maximum sweetness and flavor.
- Ensure the unsalted butter is softened to room temperature for easy creaming with the sugar.
- You can substitute all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend to make these cookies gluten free, though texture may vary slightly.
- Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
- Freezing the cookie dough balls before baking can help maintain shape and reduce spreading if desired.
