Hey there! Are you ready for a sweet and scrumptious treat? If you love the classic flavor of banana bread but also enjoy the irresistible crunch of cookies, then you’re in for a real treat with this recipe. In just a few simple steps, you can whip up a batch of delicious banana bread cookies that will have everyone asking for more. So, let’s get started!
Tips for Perfecting Banana Bread Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting
Ripe Bananas: Use overripe bananas for the best flavor. They should be soft and have lots of brown spots.
Room Temperature Ingredients: Ensure your butter, eggs, and cream cheese are at room temperature for a smoother batter and frosting.
Creaming Process: Properly cream the butter and sugars until light and fluffy. This incorporates air and gives the cookies a better texture.
Don’t Overmix: Once you add the dry ingredients, mix just until combined. Overmixing can lead to tough cookies.
Consistent Size: Use a cookie scoop for even-sized cookies. This ensures uniform baking.
Spacing on Baking Sheet: Give enough space between each dough scoop on the baking sheet as the cookies will spread.
Baking Time: Watch the cookies closely as they bake. They should be just set and not overbaked to maintain a soft texture.
Cooling: Allow the cookies to cool completely before frosting. This prevents the frosting from melting.
Frosting Consistency: If the frosting is too thick, you can thin it with a little milk. If it’s too thin, add more powdered sugar.
Flavor Variations: Consider adding chocolate chips, nuts, or a sprinkle of cinnamon on top of the frosting for added flavor and texture.
Storage: Store in an airtight container in the fridge if frosted. Unfrosted cookies can be kept at room temperature.
Ingredients for Banana Bread Cookies
1/2 cup unsalted butter (room temperature)
1/2 cup brown sugar (packed)
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1 cup mashed banana (about 2 bananas)
1 large egg
1 tsp vanilla extract
2 cups all-purpose flour
2 tsp ground cinnamon
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp nutmeg (optional)
1/4 tsp salt
Ingredients for Cream Cheese Frosting:
8 oz cream cheese (softened)
1/2 cup unsalted butter (1 stick, room temperature)
1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
1 tsp vanilla extract
Instructions for Making Banana Bread Cookies
Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone liner.
Mix Butter and Sugars: In a large bowl, mix together the butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar for about a minute.
Add Wet Ingredients: Add in the mashed banana, egg, and vanilla extract. Stir everything together.
Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, mix the flour, cinnamon, baking powder, baking soda, nutmeg, and salt.
Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients: Add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture and stir until you have a soft batter. Scrape the sides and bottom of the bowl as needed.
Scoop the Batter: Using a cookie scoop, place 1.5 TBS of dough onto the prepared baking sheet, keeping the cookies about 3 inches apart.
Bake: Bake the cookies for 7 to 9 minutes or until the tops are set and a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
Cool: Let the cookies cool on the baking pan for 10 minutes, then transfer them to a cooling rack to cool completely.
Prepare the Frosting: In a large mixing bowl, mix the cream cheese until smooth. Add in the butter and blend it in. Then add the powdered sugar and vanilla, beating on low speed until the frosting is creamy.
Frost the Cookies: Spread the frosting evenly over the top of the cooled cookies.
