Description
These Caramel Banana Bread Cookies combine the moist, comforting flavors of banana bread with the delightful sweetness of caramel chips and the satisfying crunch of nuts and oats. Perfectly soft and chewy, these cookies make a delicious dessert or snack that’s easy to prepare and sure to please any banana lover.
Ingredients
Scale
Wet Ingredients
- 1 cup mashed ripe bananas (about 2 large bananas)
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- ¾ cup brown sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Dry Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup quick oats
Add-ins
- ½ cup caramel chips
- ½ cup chopped walnuts or pecans (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Baking Sheet: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure even baking.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and brown sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy, which will give the cookies a tender texture.
- Add Wet Ingredients: Mix in the mashed bananas, egg, and vanilla extract until everything is well combined to infuse the dough with banana flavor and moisture.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, ground cinnamon, and salt to distribute the leavening agents and spices evenly.
- Meld Wet and Dry Mixtures: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet banana mixture, stirring gently until just combined to avoid overmixing, which can toughen the cookies.
- Fold in Oats, Caramel Chips, and Nuts: Incorporate the quick oats, caramel chips, and optional chopped nuts to add texture and bursts of caramel sweetness throughout the cookies.
- Shape the Cookies: Drop rounded tablespoons of dough onto the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart to allow for spreading while baking.
- Bake: Bake for 10–12 minutes, or until the edges turn golden and the centers are set but still soft, indicating the perfect chewy consistency.
- Cool: Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes to firm up before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely, enhancing their chewiness and flavor development.
Notes
- For extra gooey caramel, press a few extra caramel chips on top of each cookie before baking.
- Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days to maintain freshness.
