Description
These Banana Bread Cookies with Cream Cheese Glaze bring together the moist, sweet flavor of classic banana bread in a perfectly soft cookie form. Enhanced by a tangy cream cheese glaze, they are an irresistible treat perfect for snack time or dessert.
Ingredients
Scale
Dry Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Wet Ingredients
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup brown sugar, packed
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3/4 cup mashed ripe bananas (about 2 small bananas)
Optional Add-ins
- 1/2 cup chopped walnuts (optional)
Cream Cheese Glaze
- 4 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1 tablespoon milk
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat Oven 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 easy cleanup.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, salt, and ground cinnamon. This ensures even distribution of leavening and spice.
- Cream Butter and Sugars: In a large mixing bowl, use an electric mixer to cream the softened unsalted butter with granulated and brown sugars until the mixture is light, fluffy, and well combined.
- Add Egg and Vanilla: Beat in the egg and vanilla extract to the butter and sugar mixture until fully incorporated, creating a smooth batter base.
- Incorporate Bananas: Stir in the mashed ripe bananas until evenly distributed, which adds moisture and natural sweetness to the dough.
- Combine Dry and Wet Ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredient mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined to avoid overmixing and tough cookies. If using, gently fold in the chopped walnuts at this stage.
- Portion Dough: Using a spoon or cookie scoop, drop heaping tablespoons of dough onto the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart to allow for spreading.
- Bake Cookies: Bake in preheated oven for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden and the centers are set. Remove from oven and let cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes.
- Cool Completely: Transfer cookies to a wire rack and allow them to cool completely before applying the glaze, ensuring the glaze doesn’t melt or slide off.
- Prepare Cream Cheese Glaze: Beat the softened cream cheese until smooth. Gradually add powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract while mixing, until the glaze is smooth, thick, and drizzle-able.
- Glaze the Cookies: Once cookies are fully cooled, drizzle or spread the cream cheese glaze over each cookie evenly for a delicious finishing touch.
- Serve and Enjoy: Your Banana Bread Cookies with Cream Cheese Glaze are ready to serve. Enjoy them fresh, or store in an airtight container for later.
Notes
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Total Time: 27 minutes
- Yield: Approximately 20 cookies
- For softer cookies, underbake slightly and let cool on the baking sheet.
- Walnuts are optional; feel free to omit or substitute with chocolate chips for variation.
- The cream cheese glaze adds a nice tangy sweetness, but cookies can be enjoyed plain or dusted with powdered sugar.
- Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, or refrigerate to keep glaze fresh longer.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Cookies
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie (approximate)
- Calories: 160 kcal
- Sugar: 12 g
- Sodium: 110 mg
- Fat: 7 g
- Saturated Fat: 3.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 22 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 30 mg
Keywords: Banana bread cookies, cream cheese glaze cookies, soft banana cookies, easy cookie recipe, baked banana treats
