There’s something truly heartwarming about a good cookie, and the Banana Drop Cookies Recipe is exactly that—a tender, flavorful treat bursting with the natural sweetness and warmth of ripe bananas and cozy spices. These cookies are soft, slightly chewy, and perfectly spiced, making them an irresistible snack or a comforting dessert. Whether you’re baking for a crowd or just for yourself, this recipe turns simple pantry staples into a batch of golden, delicious cookies that everyone will love.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Gathering the right ingredients is half the joy of baking these Banana Drop Cookies Recipe. Each component plays a crucial role in delivering the rich texture, sweet aroma, and mouthwatering taste that define this classic cookie.
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour: The backbone of your cookies, providing structure and the perfect crumb.
- ½ tsp baking soda: A gentle leavening agent that helps your cookies rise just enough to stay tender.
- ½ tsp ground cinnamon: Brings warmth and a subtle spice that complements the bananas beautifully.
- ¼ tsp ground nutmeg: Adds a hint of earthiness and depth to the flavor profile.
- ¼ tsp salt: Balances sweetness and enhances all the other flavors.
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened: Provides richness and keeps the cookies moist and tender.
- ½ cup granulated sugar: Adds sweetness and helps with the cookie’s crisp edge.
- ½ cup brown sugar, packed: Brings a deep, caramel-like sweetness for extra flavor and chew.
- 1 large egg: Binds the ingredients and adds moisture for that perfect chew.
- 1 tsp vanilla extract: Lifts the entire cookie with a fragrant, sweet aroma.
- 1 cup mashed ripe bananas (about 2 medium bananas): The star ingredient that delivers natural sweetness and a tender bite.
- Optional Icing: 1 cup powdered sugar, 1-2 tbsp milk, ½ tsp vanilla extract—for a sweet glaze that adds a pretty finishing touch.
How to Make Banana Drop Cookies Recipe
Step 1: Preheat and Prepare
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). This ensures it’s at the perfect temperature so your cookies bake evenly. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper—this helps your cookies slide off easily once baked and keeps clean-up simple.
Step 2: Combine Dry Ingredients
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt. Mixing these dry ingredients ahead keeps your spices evenly distributed and prevents any clumps in the cookie dough.
Step 3: Cream Butter and Sugars
In a large bowl, beat the softened butter with the granulated sugar and brown sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy. This step is key—it incorporates air to give your cookies a tender, melt-in-your-mouth texture.
Step 4: Add Egg and Vanilla
Beat the egg and vanilla extract into the creamed butter and sugar until everything is well combined. This enriches the dough and adds those classic cookie aromas.
Step 5: Mix in Mashed Bananas
Stir the mashed ripe bananas into your wet mixture. The bananas add moisture and natural sweetness, making these cookies wonderfully soft and flavorful.
Step 6: Incorporate Dry Ingredients
Gradually fold in the dry ingredients, mixing just until combined. Overmixing can make the cookies tough, so take care to stir gently here.
Step 7: Drop Dough and Bake
Using a spoon, drop dollops of dough about 2 inches apart onto your prepared baking sheets. Space is important because the cookies will spread slightly as they bake.
Bake for 10-12 minutes or until the edges turn a soft golden color. Let the cookies cool right on the baking sheets for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Step 8: Optional Icing
If you want to add a sweet, glossy finish, mix powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract until smooth and drizzle it over the cooled cookies. This extra touch makes them look as delightful as they taste!
How to Serve Banana Drop Cookies Recipe
Garnishes
A light dusting of powdered sugar or a drizzle of the optional vanilla icing can make these cookies feel extra special. For a festive twist, try sprinkling a few finely chopped walnuts or a pinch of cinnamon on top for a subtle crunch and flavor boost.
Side Dishes
Banana Drop Cookies pair wonderfully with a cup of freshly brewed coffee, chai tea, or a cold glass of milk for that nostalgic comfort. They are also a fantastic accompaniment to a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream for a simple yet indulgent dessert.
Creative Ways to Present
Try stacking the cookies on a pretty plate with alternating layers of sliced bananas for a charming presentation. You could also sandwich them with a thin spread of cream cheese frosting or Nutella to elevate the treat into something fun and new. These ideas make your Banana Drop Cookies Recipe feel perfect for sharing at any gathering.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store your banana drop cookies in an airtight container at room temperature to keep them soft and fresh. They’ll stay delicious for about 3 to 4 days, perfect for a quick snack or lunchbox surprise.
Freezing
You can freeze the baked cookies by placing them in a single layer on a baking sheet until firm, then transferring them to a freezer-safe bag or container. This way, they maintain their texture and flavor for up to 2 months. To enjoy, simply thaw at room temperature.
Reheating
To refresh your cookies, warm them gently in the microwave for 10 to 15 seconds or pop them in a preheated oven at 300°F (150°C) for about 5 minutes. This brings back that freshly-baked warmth and softness that make them irresistible.
FAQs
Can I use overripe bananas for this Banana Drop Cookies Recipe?
Absolutely! Overripe bananas are actually perfect for this recipe since they’re sweeter and easier to mash, which enhances the cookies’ flavor and texture.
Can I substitute the all-purpose flour with gluten-free flour?
Yes, you can use a 1:1 gluten-free baking flour blend, but keep an eye on the texture. Some blends absorb more moisture, so you might need to adjust the wet ingredients slightly for the best results.
What makes brown sugar important in the recipe?
Brown sugar adds both moisture and a rich, caramel-like taste that granulated sugar alone can’t provide. It also contributes to the chewy texture that makes these cookies so addicting.
Is it necessary to use the optional icing?
Not at all! The cookies are delicious on their own. The icing is just a fun way to add a sweet, glossy finishing touch, but they’re wonderful either way.
Can I add nuts or chocolate chips to the Banana Drop Cookies Recipe?
Definitely! Chopped walnuts, pecans, or chocolate chips are excellent additions that bring extra texture and flavor. Feel free to mix them in when combining the dry ingredients with the wet batter.
Final Thoughts
Now that you’ve got the full scoop on this delightful Banana Drop Cookies Recipe, it’s time to gather your ingredients and get baking. These cookies are a heartwarming way to use up ripe bananas, and they fill your kitchen with the coziest aromas while delivering a flavor that feels like a warm hug. Trust me, once you try this recipe, it will become one of your go-to favorites for both the everyday moments and special occasions.
Print
Banana Drop Cookies Recipe
- Total Time: 22 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies 1x
Description
These Banana Drop Cookies are soft, moist, and bursting with banana flavor, perfect for a quick and delicious treat. Made with simple pantry staples and lightly spiced with cinnamon and nutmeg, they’re easy to whip up and bake in under 30 minutes. Optional vanilla icing adds a sweet finishing touch.
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- ½ tsp baking soda
- ½ tsp ground cinnamon
- ¼ tsp ground nutmeg
- ¼ tsp salt
Wet Ingredients
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup brown sugar, packed
- 1 large egg
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 cup mashed ripe bananas (about 2 medium bananas)
Optional Icing
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1–2 tbsp milk
- ½ tsp vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure even baking.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, and salt. This combines and aerates the dry ingredients for an even texture.
- Cream Butter and Sugars: In a large bowl, cream the softened unsalted butter with granulated sugar and packed brown sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy. This process incorporates air, creating tender cookies.
- Add Egg and Vanilla: Beat in the large egg and vanilla extract into the creamed butter and sugar mixture until fully combined and smooth.
- Incorporate Bananas: Stir the mashed ripe bananas into the wet mixture, blending thoroughly to ensure even banana flavor throughout the dough.
- Combine Dry and Wet Ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the banana mixture, stirring just until combined to avoid overmixing, which can toughen the cookies.
- Drop Dough: Drop spoonfuls of cookie dough onto the prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart to allow spreading during baking.
- Bake: Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes or until the edges turn a light golden color, indicating they are cooked through but still soft inside.
- Cool: Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheets for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Prepare Optional Icing: In a small bowl, whisk together powdered sugar, 1-2 tablespoons of milk, and vanilla extract until smooth. Drizzle over cooled cookies for added sweetness and presentation.
Notes
- Use very ripe bananas for maximum sweetness and flavor.
- Do not overmix the dough to keep the cookies tender.
- Optional icing adds sweetness, but cookies are delicious plain as well.
- Store cooled cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
