If you’re on the lookout for a delightful treat that feels both homey and a little special, this Banana Cookies Recipe is about to become your new favorite. These cookies strike the perfect balance between soft, chewy, and lightly sweet with a wonderful hint of banana flavor throughout. They are simple enough for beginners to master, yet satisfying enough to impress anyone who takes a bite. Whether you have ripe bananas waiting to be used or you just want to try something a little different from the usual cookie, this recipe will quickly become a go-to in your kitchen.
Ingredients You’ll Need
These ingredients are straightforward and easy to find but each one plays a vital role in delivering the perfect taste, texture, and color you want in your Banana Cookies Recipe. From the flour that forms the base to the brown sugar that adds richness, every component contributes to the cookie’s charm.
- 1 â…” cups (217 g) all-purpose flour: This creates the structure of the cookie, giving it that classic chewy bite.
- 1 teaspoon cornstarch: Helps keep the cookies tender and soft by reducing gluten formation.
- 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder: Acts as a leavening agent to give the cookies a slight rise and fluffiness.
- ½ teaspoon baking soda: Enhances browning and adds lift for a lighter texture.
- ½ teaspoon salt: Balances sweetness and deepens the overall flavor.
- 1 cup (210 g) light brown sugar, packed: Brings moisture, a subtle molasses flavor, and chewiness.
- 5 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened: Adds richness and a buttery flavor essential to cookies.
- ¼ cup (56 g) mashed ripe banana: The star ingredient that infuses each cookie with natural sweetness and moisture.
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract: Enhances the banana flavor and rounds out the taste.
- 1 large egg, room temperature: Binds the ingredients together and contributes to the soft texture.
How to Make Banana Cookies Recipe
Step 1: Prepare Your Oven and Ingredients
Begin by preheating your oven to 375ºF and lining two baking sheets with parchment paper. This ensures your cookies bake evenly and don’t stick, making cleanup a breeze.
Step 2: Mix the Dry Ingredients
In a small bowl, whisk together the flour, cornstarch, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Combining these ingredients separately ensures even distribution, which means your cookies will rise uniformly and have a consistent flavor throughout.
Step 3: Cream Butter and Sugar, Then Add Banana
In a large bowl, beat the softened butter with the brown sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy. This step is key for the cookie’s texture. Next, mix in the mashed banana, vanilla extract, and egg until everything is smoothly combined—the banana will add such a lovely natural sweetness and moisture.
Step 4: Combine Wet and Dry Mixtures
Gently fold the flour mixture into the banana mixture using a silicone spatula until just combined. Avoid overmixing here to keep the cookies tender and soft.
Step 5: Shape and Arrange the Cookies
Use a 1.5-tablespoon cookie scoop to drop dough balls onto your prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart. This gives the cookies room to spread without merging into each other.
Step 6: Bake and Cool
Bake the cookies for about 10 minutes, or until they’re lightly browned around the edges. Then, let them rest on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely. This cooling step helps them set and keeps them from breaking apart when you pick them up.
How to Serve Banana Cookies Recipe
Garnishes
While these cookies are fantastic on their own, a sprinkling of powdered sugar or a light drizzle of melted dark chocolate can take them up a notch. For a fun touch, add a few chopped nuts or banana chips on top before baking to create an attractive and tasty finish.
Side Dishes
Banana Cookies Recipe pairs wonderfully with a tall glass of cold milk or a warm cup of coffee or tea. For a more indulgent treat, serve alongside vanilla or cinnamon ice cream for a dessert that feels cozy and satisfying.
Creative Ways to Present
Try stacking your banana cookies into a mini tower tied with a rustic twine ribbon for a charming gift. Alternatively, sandwich two cookies with a layer of peanut butter or cream cheese frosting for a delightful change of pace. These little presentation ideas make these cookies perfect for parties or casual gatherings.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you have any cookies left after enjoying them fresh, store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. Keeping them sealed preserves their soft texture and keeps them tasting fresh.
Freezing
You can freeze these cookies for longer storage by placing them in a single layer on a baking sheet and freezing until solid, then transferring to a freezer bag. They’ll stay good for up to 3 months and thaw quickly when you want a sweet treat.
Reheating
To revive the freshly-baked texture, warm the cookies gently in a microwave for about 10 seconds or in a preheated oven at 300ºF for 4-5 minutes. This brings back their softness and enhances their banana aroma beautifully.
FAQs
Can I use overripe bananas for this Banana Cookies Recipe?
Absolutely! Overripe bananas are perfect because they’re extra sweet and soft, which enhances both the flavor and moisture of the cookies.
Are these cookies gluten-free?
The recipe calls for all-purpose flour, which contains gluten. However, you can substitute with a gluten-free baking blend for a gluten-free version, just be sure to check that your leavening agents are gluten-free too.
Can I add nuts or chocolate chips?
Yes! Adding chopped walnuts, pecans, or chocolate chips will complement the banana flavor wonderfully and add extra texture and richness to your cookies.
Why do the cookies need to cool on the baking sheet first?
Cooling them on the baking sheet allows the cookies to set and firm up slightly so they don’t break when you move them to a wire rack. It’s a simple trick to keep them perfect.
Can I make these cookies vegan?
To make this Banana Cookies Recipe vegan, use a plant-based butter substitute and replace the egg with a flax or chia egg. The texture might be slightly different but still delicious.
Final Thoughts
This Banana Cookies Recipe is one of those sweet discoveries that feels like a warm hug in cookie form. Easy to make, endlessly versatile, and bursting with natural flavors, these cookies are a wonderful way to enjoy bananas in a fun new way. I can’t wait for you to try the recipe and see how quickly they become a staple in your kitchen and a favorite treat for your friends and family.
Print
Banana Cookies Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 24 servings
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These soft and flavorful banana cookies are a delightful treat combining ripe bananas with classic cookie ingredients. Perfectly spiced and lightly sweetened with brown sugar, these cookies bake up tender with a subtle banana aroma, making them an excellent snack or dessert for banana lovers.
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) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper to prepare for baking.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a small bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, cornstarch, baking powder, baking soda, and salt until well combined.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large bowl, beat the softened unsalted butter and packed light brown sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy, which helps achieve a tender cookie texture.
- Add Wet Ingredients: Incorporate the mashed ripe banana, vanilla extract, and the room temperature egg into the butter-sugar mixture, mixing thoroughly until fully blended.
- Combine Mixtures: Gradually stir the dry ingredient mixture into the banana and butter mixture using a silicone spatula, mixing just until combined to avoid overworking the dough.
- Scoop Cookies: Using a 1.5-tablespoon cookie scoop (or spoon), drop cookie dough portions onto the prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart to allow for spreading.
- Bake Cookies: Bake in the preheated oven for about 10 minutes or until the cookies turn lightly browned around the edges.
- Cool Cookies: Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely, ensuring they set properly.
Notes
- Make sure the banana is ripe for maximum flavor and natural sweetness.
- Room temperature egg helps with even mixing and better texture.
- If you prefer sweeter cookies, you can increase brown sugar slightly.
- To store, keep cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
- You can add nuts or chocolate chips for an extra twist, but be sure to adjust baking time accordingly.
