Banana Bread Chocolate Chip Cookies

The irresistible aroma of cinnamon and chocolate wafting through your kitchen is just the beginning when you bake these sublime Banana Bread Chocolate Chip Cookies. These cookies brilliantly combine two beloved classics – the comforting warmth of banana bread and the irresistible charm of chocolate chip cookies – into one perfect treat. Each bite delivers the moist, tender texture of banana bread studded with melty chocolate chips, all in a convenient cookie form. You’ll learn how to transform overripe bananas into cookies that strike the perfect balance between cakey and chewy, with tips to ensure they turn out perfectly every time.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

These Banana Bread Chocolate Chip Cookies will quickly become your new favorite for several compelling reasons. First, they offer an ingenious way to use up those spotty bananas sitting on your counter, transforming potential food waste into something magical. The texture is truly exceptional – tender and slightly cakey in the center with perfectly crisp edges, creating a delightful contrast in every bite.

The marriage of flavors is what makes these cookies truly special. The natural sweetness of banana perfectly complements the rich brown sugar and melty chocolate chips, while cinnamon adds a warm spice that ties everything together. Unlike traditional banana bread that requires significant baking time, these cookies are ready in minutes, satisfying your sweet cravings with minimal wait time.

Additionally, these cookies stay remarkably fresh for days, actually improving in flavor as the banana and spice notes meld together. Whether served warm with the chocolate still gooey or enjoyed at room temperature with your morning coffee, these banana bread cookies deliver comfort in every bite.

Ingredients List for the Banana Bread Chocolate Chip Cookies

These ingredients combine the best elements of banana bread and chocolate chip cookies, with ripe banana providing natural moisture and the cinnamon adding that classic banana bread warmth.

• 1 small overripe banana, mashed (it should measure 1/4 cup–if it’s more just discard the overflow)
• 1/2 cup vegetable oil or melted butter
• 1 cup light brown sugar, packed

1 egg yolk

• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 1/3 cups all purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 2/3 cup chocolate chips

Pro Tips

Achieving perfect Banana Bread Chocolate Chip Cookies comes down to mastering a few key techniques:

First, banana selection is crucial – use bananas that are very ripe with plenty of brown spots for maximum flavor and natural sweetness. The banana should be soft enough to mash easily with a fork. Remember to measure the exact amount (1/4 cup) as too much banana can make your cookies too wet.

Second, don’t skip the resting time after mixing your dough. This 15-minute rest while your oven preheats allows the flour to fully hydrate, resulting in a better texture and helps the cookies hold their shape during baking rather than spreading too thin.

Finally, timing is everything when it comes to baking these cookies. Pull them from the oven when the edges are set but the centers still look slightly underbaked – they’ll continue cooking from residual heat on the baking sheet. This technique ensures cookies with that perfect balance between soft centers and crisp edges that makes Banana Bread Chocolate Chip Cookies so irresistible.

Instructions

Step 1: In a large bowl, combine the melted butter, brown sugar, and mashed banana. Mix to combine.

Step 2: Add the egg yolk and vanilla extract. Mix well.

Step 3: Add the flour, salt, baking soda, and cinnamon. Stir until combined and no streaks of flour remain.

Step 4: Last, fold in the chocolate chips. Cover and set aside to let the flour hydrate in the dough while the oven preheats, about 15 minutes.

Step 5: Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper and preheat the oven to 350°F. Once the oven is preheated use a 1 ounce cookie scoop or a spoon to scoop out about dough balls, placing them about 2 inches apart on the prepared cookie sheet. The dough will be a little wet! Bake for 10 to 11 minutes or until the edges are set and the cookies have puffed up, but the middles are still underbaked.

Step 6: Allow to cool before eating!

Variations

The versatile Banana Bread Chocolate Chip Cookie recipe can be easily adapted to suit different tastes or dietary needs. For a tropical twist, add 1/3 cup of toasted coconut flakes and swap dark chocolate chips for white chocolate – the combination of banana, coconut, and white chocolate creates a vacation-worthy flavor profile.

For a more indulgent version, try adding 1/4 cup of chopped walnuts and a swirl of caramel before baking. The nuts add a pleasant crunch while the caramel creates pockets of gooey sweetness that complement the banana perfectly.

Those with dietary restrictions can make these cookies vegan by replacing the egg yolk with 2 tablespoons of applesauce and using vegetable oil instead of butter. For a gluten-free option, substitute the all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free baking blend – the banana helps maintain moisture, making these cookies particularly forgiving when using alternative flours.

Storage and Serving

Banana Bread Chocolate Chip Cookies actually improve in flavor after a day, making them perfect for make-ahead treats. Store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days. The banana in the recipe helps them retain moisture, keeping them tender longer than traditional chocolate chip cookies. For longer storage, freeze baked cookies for up to 3 months in a freezer-safe container with parchment paper between layers.

For an elevated dessert experience, warm a cookie for 10 seconds in the microwave and serve it with a scoop of vanilla ice cream – the contrast between warm cookie and cold ice cream is divine. These cookies also make an excellent base for ice cream sandwiches; simply press a scoop of slightly softened ice cream between two cookies and freeze until firm.

For a special breakfast treat, crumble a cookie over Greek yogurt and add a drizzle of honey – it’s like banana bread in a bowl, but with chocolate!

FAQs

Can I use frozen bananas for these cookies?
Yes! Thaw frozen bananas completely and drain any excess liquid before mashing. Make sure to still measure exactly 1/4 cup of mashed banana as frozen bananas can release more moisture.

Why are my cookies spreading too much?
This could be because your banana measurement was over 1/4 cup or your butter was too hot when mixing. Make sure to measure ingredients precisely and allow melted butter to cool slightly before combining with other ingredients.

Can I make the dough ahead of time?
Absolutely. The dough can be refrigerated for up to 24 hours before baking. Let it sit at room temperature for about 15 minutes before scooping and baking.

Are these cookies supposed to be cakey?
Yes, Banana Bread Chocolate Chip Cookies have a slightly cakier texture than traditional chocolate chip cookies – that’s part of their charm! They’re meant to capture the texture of banana bread in cookie form.

What can I substitute for the egg yolk?
For egg allergies, substitute the yolk with 2 tablespoons of applesauce, 1 tablespoon of ground flaxseed mixed with 3 tablespoons of water, or 2 tablespoons of yogurt to maintain moisture and binding properties.

Final Thoughts

These Banana Bread Chocolate Chip Cookies represent the best of both worlds – all the comforting flavors of homemade banana bread delivered in a convenient, handheld cookie form. The recipe transforms simple pantry ingredients and those too-ripe bananas into something truly special, with each bite offering a perfect balance of banana flavor, warm spices, and melty chocolate.

What makes these banana bread cookies truly special is their ability to satisfy multiple cravings at once. They’re substantial enough to feel like a proper treat yet perfectly portioned for snacking. The combination of textures – soft centers with slightly crisp edges – makes them appealing to both cookie lovers and banana bread enthusiasts alike.

Whether you’re baking them for family, friends, or simply treating yourself, these Banana Bread Chocolate Chip Cookies deliver a uniquely satisfying experience that will have everyone reaching for seconds. They’re proof that sometimes the best recipes come from combining beloved classics in unexpected ways.

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