Description
Delightfully soft and cake-like Banana Drop Cookies made with ripe bananas, aromatic spices, and optional walnuts or mini chocolate chips. These easy-to-make American-style cookies are perfect for a sweet snack or dessert, featuring a tender texture and rich banana flavor.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1 cup mashed ripe bananas (about 2 large bananas)
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
Optional Add-ins
- 1 cup chopped walnuts
- 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 Sugar: In a large bowl, beat the softened unsalted butter and granulated sugar together until light and fluffy, creating a good base for your cookies.
- Add Wet Ingredients: Incorporate the egg, mashed ripe bananas, and vanilla extract into the butter-sugar mixture, beating until the ingredients are well combined and smooth.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, ground cinnamon, and ground nutmeg to evenly distribute the leavening agents and spices.
- Combine Wet and Dry Mixtures: Gradually add the dry ingredient mixture to the wet banana mixture, stirring gently until just combined to avoid overmixing which can toughen the cookies.
- Fold in Add-ins: If using, fold in the chopped walnuts and mini chocolate chips evenly into the cookie dough for texture and extra flavor.
- Drop Cookie Dough: Using a tablespoon measure, drop scoops of dough onto the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart to allow for spreading during baking.
- Bake: Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 10 to 12 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden and the centers have set, ensuring they remain soft.
- Cool: Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 2 minutes to firm up, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely before serving or storing.
Notes
- These cookies have a soft, cake-like texture thanks to the mashed bananas.
- You can omit the nuts and chocolate chips or substitute them with raisins or shredded coconut for variation.
- Using very ripe bananas with brown spots will intensify the banana flavor for a richer taste.
