Are you craving a sweet treat that's both incredibly delicious and surprisingly easy to make? Then look no further! These Banana Chocolate Chip Cookies are the perfect answer. They're soft, chewy, bursting with chocolate chips, and naturally sweetened with ripe bananas – making them a guilt-free indulgence. This recipe is perfect for busy weeknights, weekend baking adventures, or whenever you need a quick and satisfying dessert. Get ready to enjoy the best homemade cookies you've ever tasted!
Ingredients:
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- ¾ cup packed light brown sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 ripe bananas, mashed
- 1 cup chocolate chips
Instructions:
Step 1: Prep the dry ingredients. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
Step 2: Cream the butter and sugars. In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy. This is easiest with an electric mixer, but can be done by hand with a little elbow grease.
Step 3: Add the wet ingredients. Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in the vanilla extract and mashed bananas until well combined.
Step 4: Combine wet and dry. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. Be careful not to overmix, as this can result in tough cookies.
Step 5: Stir in the chocolate chips. Gently fold in the chocolate chips until they're evenly distributed throughout the dough.
Step 6: Bake the cookies. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Drop rounded tablespoons of cookie dough onto ungreased baking sheets, leaving some space between each cookie.
Step 7: Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown and the centers are still slightly soft.
Step 8: Cool and enjoy! Let the cookies cool on the baking sheets for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. Enjoy warm with a glass of milk – pure deliciousness!
Tips for Perfect Banana Chocolate Chip Cookies:
- Use ripe bananas: The riper the bananas, the sweeter and more flavorful your cookies will be. Overripe bananas are perfect!
- Don't overmix the dough: Overmixing develops the gluten in the flour, resulting in tough cookies. Mix until just combined.
- Chill the dough (optional): For thicker, chewier cookies, chill the dough in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes before baking.
- Add nuts: For added texture and flavor, try adding ½ cup of chopped walnuts or pecans to the dough.
- Use different chocolate: Experiment with different types of chocolate chips, such as dark chocolate, milk chocolate, or even white chocolate chips.
Variations:
- Peanut Butter Banana Chocolate Chip Cookies: Add ½ cup of peanut butter to the wet ingredients for a delicious twist.
- Oatmeal Banana Chocolate Chip Cookies: Add 1 cup of rolled oats to the dry ingredients for a heartier cookie.
Nutritional Information (per cookie, approximate):
- Calories: 150-200
- Fat: 8-10g
- Sugar: 15-20g
These banana chocolate chip cookies are a simple and satisfying recipe perfect for anyone looking for quick dinner ideas or healthy meals that don't compromise on flavor. They’re a fantastic example of easy recipes and delicious dishes you can easily make at home. Enjoy this fantastic addition to your best recipes collection!