Old-Fashioned Banana Cookies

🕒 Prep: 10 min
🔥 Cook: 12 min
🍽 Serves: 24
★★★★★
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Old-Fashioned Banana Cookies are a delightful nod to classic flavors, blending the comforting taste of ripe bananas with warm spices. Perfect for those slightly overripe bananas that are sitting on your counter, these cookies are a delicious way to transform simple ingredients into something truly special.

Ingredients for Old-Fashioned Banana Cookies

Butter provides the rich, creamy base for these cookies, ensuring a tender texture and delicious flavor. Granulated sugar sweetens the cookies while helping to create a soft crumb. A single egg adds structure and helps with binding the ingredients together. Vanilla extract enhances the sweetness and adds a comforting aroma. We use mashed ripe bananas not only for their flavor but also for moisture, keeping the cookies soft. All-purpose flour forms the backbone of the cookie dough, and baking soda helps them rise just a bit. Salt balances the sweetness, while ground cinnamon and nutmeg introduce a gentle warmth that complements the banana perfectly.

Tips & Tricks

  • Use a cookie scoop to get evenly sized cookies and ensure even baking.
  • Make sure your bananas are very ripe for the best flavor. The darker the peel, the better.
  • If you like a bit of texture, try adding chopped walnuts or chocolate chips to the dough.

Serving Suggestions

These cookies are delightful on their own but pair wonderfully with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for an indulgent treat. For a cozy afternoon snack, enjoy them with a glass of cold milk or a cup of spiced chai tea.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use frozen bananas?
Yes, just make sure to thaw and drain them before mashing.
Can I substitute the butter?
Yes, you can use margarine or a plant-based butter substitute, but it may slightly alter the texture.
How long do these cookies keep?
Stored in an airtight container, they should stay fresh for about 3-4 days.

Old-Fashioned Banana Cookies Recipe Walkthrough

Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. This ensures the cookies don’t stick and makes cleanup a breeze.

In a large mixing bowl, cream together the butter and sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy. This usually takes about 2-3 minutes with a hand mixer on medium speed. The goal is to incorporate air, which helps the cookies bake up soft.

Once your butter and sugar are well combined, beat in the egg and vanilla extract. Mix until everything is thoroughly combined and the mixture looks smooth.

Next, add in your mashed bananas. Stir until you have a uniform mixture. It’s okay if it looks a bit curdled; that’s just the bananas doing their thing.

In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg. This step ensures the spices are evenly distributed throughout the flour and prevents clumps.

Gradually add the dry ingredients to the banana mixture, stirring gently until just combined. Be careful not to overmix, as this can make the cookies tough.

Drop tablespoon-sized portions of dough onto your prepared baking sheet, leaving about 2 inches between each cookie to allow for spreading.

Bake in your preheated oven for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden. Keep an eye on them; they can go from perfect to overdone quickly.

Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. This helps them set up properly.

Why You'll Love This Recipe

  • Quick and easy to prepare with just a few pantry staples.
  • Perfectly soft and slightly chewy texture that feels like a warm hug.
  • A great way to use up ripe bananas without making yet another banana bread.
  • The subtle spice blend adds depth without overpowering the banana flavor.

Ingredients

1/2 cup unsalted butter
1 cup granulated sugar
1 large egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup mashed ripe bananas (about 2 medium bananas)
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg

Step-by-step Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. In a large mixing bowl, cream together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
3. Beat in the egg and vanilla extract until well combined.
4. Stir in the mashed bananas until the mixture is smooth.
5. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
6. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the banana mixture, stirring until just combined.
7. Drop tablespoon-sized portions of dough onto the prepared baking sheet, leaving about 2 inches between each cookie.
8. Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden.
9. Allow cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.

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