The cozy charm of banana bread meets the gooey indulgence of chocolate chip cookies in this delightful fusion recipe. These cookies offer the best of both worlds, soft and tender with the familiar sweetness of ripe bananas and studded with rich, melty chocolate chips.
Perfectly golden with crisp edges and pillowy centers, these cookies are ideal for afternoon snacks, school lunchboxes, or even a casual dessert for guests. They’re super easy to whip up and a great way to use up overripe bananas. Whether you enjoy them warm from the oven or packed for a picnic, every bite feels like a warm hug.
Full Recipe:
Ingredients:
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1 ripe banana, mashed
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1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
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1/2 cup brown sugar
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1/4 cup granulated sugar
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1 large egg
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1 teaspoon vanilla extract
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1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
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1/2 teaspoon baking soda
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1/4 teaspoon salt
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1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
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1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
Directions:
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Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
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In a large bowl, cream together the butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until smooth and fluffy.
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Beat in the mashed banana, egg, and vanilla extract until well combined.
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In another bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon.
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Gradually mix the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients until just combined.
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Fold in the chocolate chips evenly.
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Drop tablespoonfuls of dough onto the prepared baking sheet, spacing about 2 inches apart.
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Bake for 10–12 minutes, or until the edges are golden and the centers look set.
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Allow cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack.
Prep Time: 10 minutes | Cooking Time: 12 minutes | Total Time: 22 minutes
Kcal: 170 kcal | Servings: 20 cookies
Soft, Chewy, and Perfectly Sweet: The Ultimate Banana Bread Chocolate Chip Cookies
When ripe bananas are lounging on your countertop and you’re torn between making banana bread or a sweet tray of cookies, why choose just one? Enter: Banana Bread Chocolate Chip Cookies, the genius hybrid of two beloved classics that will win over hearts in just one bite.
This recipe brings together the soft, moist texture of banana bread and the chewy satisfaction of a perfectly baked chocolate chip cookie. The result is a batch of cookies that are golden on the outside, gooey in the center, and absolutely bursting with flavor. Whether you’re a seasoned baker or a beginner looking for an easy win, this recipe is a keeper: comforting, quick, and utterly delicious.
A Comforting Twist on Classic Flavors
Banana bread and chocolate chip cookies are household staples in many kitchens. Banana bread has long been a solution to overripe bananas, offering a moist loaf that pairs beautifully with coffee or a scoop of ice cream. On the other hand, chocolate chip cookies are arguably America’s most loved cookie, providing a warm, melty bite that satisfies sugar cravings at any hour.
This recipe blends the best elements of both the natural sweetness and moisture from the banana and the indulgent richness of chocolate chips. You get the fragrance of banana bread as it bakes, and the chewy, sugary satisfaction of cookies once cooled. It’s a winning combination that feels nostalgic yet fresh, traditional yet inventive.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
There are countless reasons to fall in love with Banana Bread Chocolate Chip Cookies, but here are just a few:
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Uses up overripe bananas: Bananas that are too brown to eat raw are perfect for this recipe.
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Quick and easy: No chilling required, no fancy tools just mix, scoop, and bake.
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Kid-friendly: Children love helping mash bananas and add the chocolate chips.
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Customizable: Make it your own by adding walnuts, pecans, or even a swirl of peanut butter.
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Soft and chewy: Unlike traditional crispy cookies, these have a tender, cake-like texture thanks to the banana.
Ingredients That Make the Magic Happen
Let’s break down the ingredients and their roles in the recipe to give you a better understanding of why each one matters:
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Ripe Banana: This is the star. The riper the banana, the sweeter and more flavorful the cookies. Bananas also act as a natural moistener, reducing the need for too much butter or oil.
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Butter: Provides richness and flavor. Using softened butter creates a creamier batter, helping with even spreading.
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Brown Sugar + Granulated Sugar: Brown sugar adds moisture and depth thanks to its molasses content, while granulated sugar balances the sweetness and helps with browning.
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Egg: Acts as a binding agent and provides structure to the cookie.
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Vanilla Extract: Enhances the overall flavor and aroma.
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All-Purpose Flour: Gives body to the cookies without making them too dense.
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Baking Soda: The leavening agent that helps the cookies rise and become light and soft.
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Salt + Cinnamon: Just a pinch of each balances the sweetness and brings warmth to the flavor profile.
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Chocolate Chips: Semi-sweet chocolate chips melt into gooey pockets of joy. Use dark or milk chocolate based on preference.
Tips for Perfect Cookies Every Time
Achieving that perfect cookie doesn’t have to be difficult. Here are a few tips to elevate your cookie game:
1. Use Very Ripe Bananas:
The browner the banana, the better. Look for bananas that have deep brown spots or are fully brown. They’ll be sweeter, more flavorful, and mash easily into the batter.
2. Don’t Overmix:
Once you add the flour to the wet ingredients, mix until just combined. Overmixing can lead to tough cookies by developing too much gluten.
3. Use a Cookie Scoop:
For uniform size and baking, use a small or medium cookie scoop. This ensures even spreading and consistency in texture.
4. Bake Until Just Set:
Keep a close eye around the 10-minute mark. The cookies should look slightly underbaked in the center when you pull them out, they’ll continue baking from residual heat and stay soft.
5. Let Them Rest:
While it’s tempting to dive in right away, letting the cookies rest on the baking sheet for a few minutes helps them firm up and develop flavor.
Variations and Add-ins
Banana Bread Chocolate Chip Cookies are incredibly versatile. Here are some tasty add-ins and creative twists you can try:
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Nuts: Add ½ cup of chopped walnuts or pecans for crunch and contrast.
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Peanut Butter: Swirl in a few tablespoons of peanut butter for a nutty flavor boost.
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Oats: Mix in ½ cup of rolled oats for a heartier, more fiber-rich cookie.
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Dried Fruit: Raisins or chopped dates pair wonderfully with banana and cinnamon.
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Spices: Elevate the warm profile with a dash of nutmeg or ground cloves.
Storage and Freezing Instructions
One of the best parts about these cookies is how well they store. Here’s how to keep them fresh:
Room Temperature: Store in an airtight container for up to 4 days. Placing a slice of bread in the container helps keep them soft.
Refrigerator: While not necessary, you can store them in the fridge for up to a week. Allow to come to room temperature before serving.
Freezer: You can freeze baked cookies for up to 3 months. For unbaked dough, scoop it onto a tray, freeze until solid, then transfer to a freezer bag. Bake from frozen, adding a minute or two to the baking time.
Pairing Ideas
Pair your Banana Bread Chocolate Chip Cookies with:
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A glass of cold milk – classic and always satisfying.
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Hot coffee or espresso – the cookie’s sweetness balances out the coffee’s bitterness.
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Vanilla or cinnamon ice cream – create a decadent dessert sandwich or sundae.
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Smoothie or milkshake – especially one made with bananas or chocolate for an extra hit of harmony.
When to Serve These Cookies
These cookies are incredibly versatile and can be served for almost any occasion:
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Afternoon snack
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School lunchboxes treat
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Potluck or bake sale
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Holiday cookie swap
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Late-night dessert cravings
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Breakfast on the go (yes, they’re that wholesome!)
Conclusion
Banana Bread Chocolate Chip Cookies are a delightful mashup that brings the best of two iconic treats into one easy-to-make recipe. They’re rich, soft, chewy, and deeply comforting, a true testament to the magic of ripe bananas and melty chocolate chips. Whether you’re baking a batch for your family, sharing them with friends, or simply treating yourself, this recipe delivers every time.
Their simplicity, warmth, and adaptability make them more than just a sweet treat, they’re a cozy, nostalgic bite of happiness. So, the next time you spot a brown banana on the counter, don’t toss it, bake it into a cookie that feels like home.