Soft & Chewy Banana Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe

Picture yourself savoring a freshly baked treat, the warmth and comforting flavors invoking a sense of home. This guide to making Soft & Chewy Banana Chocolate Chip Cookies offers you a delightful blend of banana bread’s heartwarming essence and the irresistible charm of chocolate chip cookies—an unforgettable fusion for all dessert lovers.

In just a few steps, you’ll create cookies that are deliciously soft, thick, and chewy. Embrace the joy of baking as you transform simple ingredients into a delectable treat, perfect for sharing or indulging on your own. This recipe promises not just a dessert, but an experience that bridges comfort and delight with every bite.

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Ingredients

Bananas

You’ll need ripe bananas for this recipe. The bananas provide natural sweetness and moisture to the cookies, making them soft and chewy. It’s best to use bananas that have a lot of brown spots; they are sweeter and easier to mash, which enhances the banana flavor in your cookies.

Butter

Butter is a crucial ingredient for the texture and flavor of these cookies. Make sure to use unsalted butter, and let it soften at room temperature before you begin the mixing process. This will help in creaming the butter with the sugars to create a smooth, fluffy mixture.

Sugar

Granulated sugar adds sweetness and helps to create a tender texture in your cookie. It’s essential for the structure, contributing to the spread and upper crust of the cookie.

Brown Sugar

Brown sugar, particularly the light brown variety, adds a molasses-like depth to the flavor. It also helps in keeping the cookies moist and chewy due to its higher moisture content compared to granulated sugar.

Vanilla Extract

Vanilla extract is key for adding a layer of complexity and warmth to your cookies. Just a teaspoon of this aromatic liquid will greatly enhance the overall flavor.

Egg

Eggs act as a binder and add richness to the cookies. Use a large egg at room temperature to ensure it incorporates seamlessly into your butter-sugar mixture.

All-purpose Flour

All-purpose flour provides the necessary structure to the cookies. Make sure to measure it accurately, either by weighing or by the spoon-and-level method, to avoid dense or overly dry cookies.

Baking Soda

Baking soda is your leavening agent and will help the cookies rise slightly during baking, giving them a light, airy texture. Make sure it’s fresh for the best results.

Salt

A small amount of salt enhances the sweetness and balances the flavors in your cookies. It brings out the nuances of the other ingredients, ensuring your cookies aren’t overly sweet.

Chocolate Chips

Semi-sweet chocolate chips are recommended for their balance of sweetness and bitterness, which pairs perfectly with the banana flavor. Feel free to adjust the quantity based on your personal preference.

Equipment Needed

Mixing Bowls

You’ll need at least two mixing bowls: a large one for the wet ingredients and a medium-sized one for the dry ingredients. Using separate bowls ensures even mixing of ingredients.

Measuring Cups and Spoons

Accurate measurements are important in baking. Make sure you have a set of measuring cups for dry ingredients and a liquid measuring cup for the wet ingredients. Measuring spoons are necessary for smaller quantities like baking soda, salt, and vanilla extract.

Electric Mixer

An electric mixer, either hand-held or stand mixer, will make creaming the butter and sugars much easier and quicker. It ensures a light and fluffy texture, which is crucial for the final result.

Spatula

A sturdy spatula is needed for scraping down the sides of your mixing bowls and for folding in the chocolate chips. Silicone spatulas are typically the best choice for their flexibility and gentle touch.

Baking Sheet

A large baking sheet is required for baking the cookies. Opt for a flat and even sheet to ensure uniform baking.

Parchment Paper

Lining your baking sheet with parchment paper prevents the cookies from sticking and makes cleanup much easier. It also helps in even baking by providing a consistent surface.

Cooling Rack

A cooling rack is essential to allow your cookies to cool evenly and prevent them from getting soggy. It allows air to circulate around the cookies, maintaining their texture.

Preparation Steps

Preheat the Oven

Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). This ensures that your oven reaches the correct temperature by the time your cookie dough is ready. An accurate oven temperature is crucial for even baking.

Line Baking Sheet with Parchment Paper

While the oven is preheating, line your baking sheet with parchment paper. This step ensures that your cookies won’t stick to the sheet and will be easy to remove once baked.

Mash the Bananas

In a small bowl, mash your ripe bananas until they are smooth. You can use a fork or a potato masher for this step. The smoother the bananas, the more evenly they will blend into your dough, providing consistent moisture and flavor.

Mixing Ingredients

Cream the Butter and Sugars

In your large mixing bowl, combine the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar. Using your electric mixer, cream these together until the mixture is light and fluffy. This process usually takes about 2-3 minutes and is essential for creating the right texture.

Add Egg and Vanilla Extract

Once your butter and sugars are well-creamed, add in the egg and vanilla extract. Beat them into the mixture until fully incorporated. The egg will add richness and help bind the dough, while the vanilla enhances the flavor.

Mix in Mashed Bananas

Next, add the mashed bananas to your wet mixture. Mix on medium speed until the bananas are fully blended into the batter. This step infuses the cookie dough with that delightful banana flavor while keeping it moist.

Combining Dry Ingredients

Whisk Flour, Baking Soda, and Salt

In your medium-sized mixing bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt. This step ensures that the baking soda and salt are evenly distributed throughout the flour, which is important for even leavening and seasoning.

Gradually Add Dry Ingredients to Wet Mixture

With your mixer on low speed, gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture. Adding the flour mixture in parts prevents over-mixing, which can lead to tough cookies. Mix until just combined, ensuring not to overwork the batter.

Adding Chocolate Chips

Fold in Chocolate Chips

Using your spatula, gently fold in the chocolate chips. This method helps to incorporate the chips evenly without breaking them or making the dough overly stiff.

Ensure Even Distribution

Make sure the chocolate chips are evenly distributed throughout the dough. This ensures that every bite of your cookies will have a consistent amount of chocolate, balancing the banana flavor perfectly.

Shaping and Baking Cookies

Scoop Dough onto Baking Sheet

Using a cookie scoop or a spoon, portion out the dough and place it onto the lined baking sheet. Each scoop should be roughly the same size to ensure even baking.

Space Cookies Evenly

Space the cookie dough mounds evenly on the baking sheet, leaving about 2 inches between each one. This gives the cookies room to spread without merging together during baking.

Bake in Preheated Oven

Place the baking sheet in your preheated oven and bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown but the centers are still soft. The exact baking time may vary based on your oven, so keep a close watch.

Cooling and Storing

Let Cookies Cool on Baking Sheet

Once baked, remove the cookies from the oven and let them cool on the baking sheet for about 5 minutes. This allows the cookies to set and makes them easier to handle.

Transfer to Cooling Rack

After the initial cooling period, transfer the cookies to a cooling rack. This step prevents the bottoms from becoming soggy and helps the cookies cool completely.

Store in Airtight Container

Once completely cooled, store your cookies in an airtight container to maintain their softness and flavor. They should stay fresh for up to a week at room temperature.

Serving Suggestions

Serve Warm with Milk

Serve these delicious banana chocolate chip cookies warm with a glass of cold milk. The contrast of the warm, gooey cookies with the cold milk creates a delightful experience.

Pair with Vanilla Ice Cream

Pair your cookies with a scoop of creamy vanilla ice cream. The rich, cold ice cream complements the warm, chewy cookies beautifully, making it a perfect dessert.

Top with Caramel Sauce

For an extra indulgent treat, drizzle some caramel sauce over your cookies. The sweet and slightly salty caramel enhances the flavors of both the banana and the chocolate in your cookies.

Conclusion

Recap the Recipe Process

To recap, you made these heavenly banana chocolate chip cookies by starting with ripe bananas and combining them with butter, sugars, egg, vanilla, flour, baking soda, salt, and of course, chocolate chips. You then shaped and baked the dough to perfection.

Encourage Experimentation with Ingredients

Feel free to experiment with this recipe by adding nuts, using different types of chocolate, or even incorporating other spices like cinnamon or nutmeg. Personalizing recipes can be a fun way to discover new flavors and textures.

Invite Readers to Share Their Results

We would love to hear how your cookies turned out. Please share your results, variations, and any tips you discovered along the way. Happy baking!

These banana chocolate chip cookies are sure to become a favorite in your recipe collection. Soft, thick, and chewy, with the perfect blend of banana and chocolate, they offer a delightful treat for all ages. Happy baking!