Healthy Baking Redefined-Your Ultimate Guide to Banana Cookies Drizzled with Chocolate

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As a home baker and a mom, I am always on the lookout for healthy, tasty snacks that my family will love. And when it comes to ingredients that are as versatile as they are nutritious, it’s hard to beat bananas. Not only do bananas add a natural sweetness to baked goods, but they also lend a moist texture that’s just perfect for cakes, breads, and yes, cookies! Bananas are also packed with essential nutrients like potassium, vitamin C, and dietary fiber, making them a great addition to any diet.

Now, let’s talk about these banana cookies that I am super excited to share with you. If you have a sweet tooth and are looking for healthier options to indulge, my Banana Cookies with Chocolate Drizzle are just the thing for you. These cookies are absolutely delicious and they’ve quickly become a family favorite. Plus, they are a fantastic alternative to banana bread when you’re wondering what to do with those ripe bananas sitting on your kitchen counter.

Another treat I often make for my family are Soft and Chewy Oatmeal Cookies, but today, let’s focus on our star recipe. So, without further ado, let’s dive into the world of banana cookies!

What Makes Our Banana Cookies Special

When you bite into one of these cookies, you’ll immediately notice the delicate balance between health and taste. The cookies have a perfect balance of flavors – the natural sweetness of bananas, the rich indulgence of chocolate, and a hint of vanilla. And they’re not just about taste; they’re about nourishment too. Each cookie is filled with the goodness of whole wheat flour, oats, and bananas, making it a nutrient-rich treat you can feel good about.

Ingredients Needed for Banana Cookies

• Ripe bananas: They add sweetness and moisture to the cookies. Plus, they’re a great source of vitamins and fiber.
• Whole wheat flour: A healthier alternative to all-purpose flour, whole wheat flour adds a subtle nutty flavor and extra nutrients to the cookies.
• Rolled oats: They provide a nice texture and make the cookies more filling.
• Brown sugar: For a hint of caramel-like sweetness. You can adjust the amount based on how sweet your bananas are and your personal preference.
• Egg: It helps to bind the ingredients together.
• Vanilla extract: To add a nice depth of flavor.
• Baking soda: It helps the cookies rise and become lightly crispy on the outside.
• Salt: Just a pinch to balance the sweetness.
• Dark chocolate: We’ll melt this and drizzle it over the cookies for an extra layer of indulgence.

Step-by-step Guide to Making Banana Cookies

EQUIPMENT

• Measuring Cup The measuring cup is essential for ensuring the correct quantities of ingredients such as flour, sugar, and butter. It is particularly important for this recipe as accurate measurements ensure the right texture and taste of the cookies.
• Measuring spoons These are used for measuring smaller quantities of ingredients, like baking powder, baking soda, and vanilla extract. Precise measurements of these elements contribute to the rise and flavor of your cookies.
• Glass mixing bowl This is used for combining your ingredients. Glass is a great material because it doesn’t retain odors or colors from previous uses. It’s also microwave-safe if you need to melt any ingredients.
• Blending whisk The blending whisk is used to mix your ingredients together. In this recipe, it helps to evenly distribute the baking powder and baking soda within the flour and blend the wet ingredients smoothly.
• Potato masher While traditionally used for mashing potatoes, in this recipe it’s used to mash the bananas. This tool helps achieve a smooth, lump-free banana mixture, essential for the texture of the cookies.
• Dough scoop medium. This tool helps you portion out the cookie dough evenly and consistently onto the baking sheet. This ensures that all your cookies are of the same size and will bake uniformly.
• 3 Baking sheet This is the tray on which you’ll arrange your scoops of cookie dough for baking. The baking sheet conducts heat evenly to the cookies, ensuring they’re baked through properly.
• 3 Parchment paper sheets These sheets are used to line your baking sheets. They prevent the cookies from sticking to the pan and make cleanup easier. It also helps to prevent over-browning on the bottoms of the cookies.
• Wilton candy melting pot This tool is specifically designed to melt chocolate or candy to a perfect consistency. It provides a gentle, consistent heat that allows the chocolate chips and coconut oil to meld together smoothly for the chocolate drizzle.
• Saucier Drizzle Spoon This spoon is designed with a deep bowl and a pointed tip, making it perfect for drizzling the melted chocolate over the cooled cookies. The pointed tip gives you control over the drizzle, allowing you to create a beautiful pattern on the cookies.

INGREDIENTS  

Cookies

• 2 cups all-purpose flour Substitute with 2 cups whole wheat flour or 1 cup whole wheat flour and 1 cup almond flour. Whole wheat flour is more nutritious and almond flour adds protein.
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1/8 tsp salt
• 2 overripe bananas
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter melted and cooled. Substitute with 1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce or 1/4 cup Greek yogurt. These alternatives add moisture without the saturated fats found in butter.
• 1/2 cup brown sugar Substitute with 1/2 cup of a natural sweetener like pure maple syrup or honey. They are less processed and contain more nutrients compared to brown sugar.
• 2 eggs However, if you want to make the recipe vegan, you can substitute with 2 flax eggs (2 tbsp flaxseed meal + 5 tbsp water).
• 1 tsp vanilla extract

Chocolate drizzle

• 1/2 cup chocolate chips Substitute with 1/2 cup dark chocolate chips. Dark chocolate has less sugar and more antioxidants than regular chocolate chips.
• 1 tbsp coconut oil However, if you’d like a substitution, you could use 1 tbsp of unsalted butter. Coconut oil is a healthier fat compared to other oils, but if you’re concerned about saturated fat, you could use butter or a heart-healthy oil like avocado oil.

Please note that these substitutions can alter the taste and texture of your cookies, so it’s important to experiment and find what works best for you.

INSTRUCTIONS 

Banana cookies

• Prepare and measure all ingredients.
• In a medium-sized bowl, combine the flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.
• Mix these dry ingredients together with a whisk. This will also help to break any flour clumps.
• Place peeled bananas in a large bowl.
• Using a potato masher, mash the bananas until smooth.
• Add the butter and brown sugar to the mashed bananas.
• Mix these ingredients together with a whisk until well combined.
• Add eggs and vanilla extract to this mixture.
• Continue mixing until everything is well combined.
• Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet banana mixture.
• Mix the dry and wet ingredients together until everything reaches a smooth consistency.
• Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and prepare a dough scoop.
• Scoop the dough onto the prepared baking sheet. Bake the cookies in a preheated oven at 350°F for 10-12 minutes.
• Remove the cookies from the oven and let them cool completely, about 30 minutes, before adding the chocolate drizzle.

Chocolate drizzle

• In a candy melting pot, combine chocolate chips and coconut oil.
• Turn the candy melting pot on high and melt the ingredients. Regularly mix with a silicone spatula.
• Let the melted chocolate cool for about 5-8 minutes.
• Using a spoon or a drizzle spoon, drizzle the melted chocolate on top of the cooled cookies.
• Allow the chocolate drizzle to harden for about 15 minutes.
• Your delicious Banana Cookies with Chocolate Drizzle are now ready to serve and enjoy!

Storing Mashed Bananas

To store mashed bananas: transfer the mashed bananas to an airtight container and secure plastic food wrap tightly to the surface of the bananas. They can be stored like this in the fridge for 2-3 days. To freeze mashed bananas: transfer the bananas to an airtight ziploc bag and freeze for up to 3 months. Always label the date on the outside of the container to keep up with freshness.

Ideas for Customizing Your Banana Cookies

One of the best things about this recipe is its versatility. Here are a few ideas to customize it:

• Banana Oatmeal Buttermilk Cookies: Replace the egg with buttermilk for a slightly tangy flavor and softer texture.
• Peanut Butter Banana Oatmeal Cookies: Add a couple of tablespoons of peanut butter to the banana mixture for a nutty twist.
• Banana Yogurt Cookies: Swap the egg with an equal amount of yogurt to make eggless banana cookies. The yogurt also makes the cookies incredibly moist.

Feel free to experiment with other additions like nuts, dried fruits, or different spices. The possibilities are endless!

Storing Banana Cookies with Chocolate Drizzle

On the Counter

Properly stored, freshly baked cookies can last for about 2 to 3 days at normal room temperature. To keep your cookies fresh, store them in a cool, dry place in an airtight container. You can layer the cookies between sheets of wax or parchment paper to prevent them from sticking to each other. Be sure to let the chocolate drizzle fully harden before storing to avoid a mess.

In the Fridge

To extend the shelf life of your cookies, you can store them in the refrigerator. In an airtight container, your cookies can last for up to a week in the fridge. Again, ensure the chocolate drizzle is completely set before stacking the cookies, using wax or parchment paper in between layers.

In the Freezer

For longer-term storage, you can freeze your cookies. Once the cookies have completely cooled and the chocolate has hardened, place them in a freezer-friendly container or zip-top freezer bag. Place sheets of wax or parchment paper between the cookies if you need to stack them. Properly stored, they can maintain the best quality for about 2 to 3 months, but will remain safe beyond that time. To enjoy, simply thaw the amount you need at room temperature for a few hours or overnight in the refrigerator.

Ripe Banana Recipes

There you have it, my special Banana Cookies with Chocolate Drizzle recipe. These cookies are a testament to the fact that you can create indulgent treats that are also packed with nutrients. So go ahead, give this recipe a try. I am sure you and your family will love these cookies just as much as we do!

I would love to see your take on this recipe. Don’t forget to share your baking experiences and photos.