Banana Bread Chocolate Chip Cookies: A Match Made in Baking Heaven
Looking for a way to use up those ripe bananas sitting on your counter? How about indulging in a recipe that combines the best of two worlds – banana bread and chocolate chip cookies? These Banana Bread Chocolate Chip Cookies are soft, chewy, and bursting with flavor. Perfect for a quick snack, dessert, or even breakfast-on-the-go, this recipe is sure to become a household favorite.
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients:
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1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
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½ teaspoon baking soda
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½ teaspoon baking powder
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½ teaspoon salt
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1 teaspoon ground cinnamon (optional, for added warmth)
Wet Ingredients:
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½ cup unsalted butter, melted and slightly cooled
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½ cup granulated sugar
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¼ cup light brown sugar, packed
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1 large egg
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1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
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2 medium ripe bananas, mashed (about 1 cup)
Add-ins:
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1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
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½ cup chopped walnuts or pecans (optional)
Instructions
- Prep Time: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon. Set aside.
- Combine Wet Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, whisk the melted butter with granulated sugar and brown sugar until well combined. Stir in the egg, vanilla extract, and mashed bananas until smooth.
- Incorporate Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring just until combined. Avoid overmixing to keep the cookies tender.
- Fold in Add-ins: Gently fold in the chocolate chips and nuts (if using).
- Scoop & Shape: Use a cookie scoop or tablespoon to drop rounded spoonfuls of dough onto the prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes or until the edges are lightly golden, and the centers are set.
- Cool: Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheets for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Cook and Prep Times
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Total Time: 27 minutes
- Yield: Approximately 24 cookies
Baking Pro Tips
- Use Overripe Bananas: The riper the bananas, the more intense the flavor and natural sweetness they bring to the cookies.
- Avoid Overmixing: Overmixing can lead to dense cookies. Mix just until the ingredients are combined.
- Chill the Dough (Optional): For a thicker cookie, chill the dough for 30 minutes before baking.
- Experiment with Add-ins: Swap chocolate chips with white chocolate or dark chocolate, or add dried fruit like cranberries for a twist.
- Storage Tip: Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days or freeze for up to 2 months.
These Banana Bread Chocolate Chip Cookies are everything you love about banana bread, packed into a portable, bite-sized form. They’re easy to make, endlessly adaptable, and sure to delight anyone who tries them. Whether you’re baking for yourself or sharing with friends, these cookies are a win every time.