Banana Bread Cookies: Easy Recipe in Just 27 Minutes!

Name: Banana Bread Cookies
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 27 min
Ingredients: 2 cups all-purpose flour; 1 tsp baking soda; 1/2 tsp salt; 1 tsp ground cinnamon; 1/2 cup unsalted butter (softened); 1/2 cup granulated sugar; 1/2 cup brown sugar (packed); 1 egg; 1 tsp vanilla extract; 1 cup mashed ripe bananas; 1/2 cup chopped walnuts (optional); 4 oz cream cheese (softened); 1 cup powdered sugar; 2 tbsp milk; 1/2 tsp vanilla extract

If you love banana bread but crave something a little more fun-sized and snackable, these Banana Bread Cookies are about to become your new favorite treat! Soft, chewy, and bursting with ripe banana flavor, these cookies are the perfect mix between a classic banana bread and a melt-in-your-mouth cookie.

But wait—it gets even better! We’re drizzling them with a luscious cream cheese glaze that adds just the right amount of sweetness and tang. These cookies are cozy, comforting, and totally addictive.

So, if you’ve got some overripe bananas sitting on your counter, don’t toss them—bake these instead! Let’s get started.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Still not convinced? Here’s why these Banana Bread Cookies need to be on your must-bake list:

✔️ Soft & Chewy – They have the perfect banana bread texture but in cookie form.
✔️ Simple Ingredients – Everything you need is probably already in your pantry.
✔️ The Cream Cheese Glaze – It’s rich, smooth, and the perfect finishing touch.
✔️ Quick to Make – From start to finish, you’re looking at less than 30 minutes!
✔️ Great for Using Up Bananas – No more throwing out overripe bananas—put them to good use!

“Baking is both an art and a science. But at the heart of it, it’s just love made edible.”

Ingredients

Before we dive into the step-by-step instructions, let’s take a look at what you’ll need. These simple ingredients come together to create pure magic!

For the Banana Bread Cookies:

All-purpose flour – Provides structure and helps the cookies hold their shape.Baking soda – A little lift makes the cookies soft and fluffy.

Salt – Enhances all the flavors.

Ground cinnamon – Adds warmth and complements the bananas beautifully. Unsalted butter – Gives the cookies a rich, buttery flavor.

Granulated sugar & brown sugar – The combo adds sweetness and moisture.

Egg – Helps bind everything together.

Vanilla extract – Enhances the overall flavor.

Mashed ripe bananas – The star ingredient! Make sure they’re super ripe for the best taste.

Chopped walnuts (optional) – Adds crunch and nuttiness (highly recommended!).

For the Cream Cheese Glaze:

Cream cheese – The key to that rich, creamy glaze.

Powdered sugar – Adds sweetness and smooth texture.

Milk – Helps thin out the glaze for the perfect drizzle.

Vanilla extract – Rounds out the flavor beautifully.

👉 Note: The full ingredient list with exact measurements is in the recipe card at the bottom!

Pro Tip: Want a little twist? Try adding mini chocolate chips or a sprinkle of sea salt for extra flavor!

How to Make Banana Bread Cookies

These cookies come together in just a few simple steps—no complicated techniques, no fancy equipment. Just mix, bake, and drizzle! Here’s exactly how to do it:

Step 1: Preheat & Prep

Before getting started, preheat your oven to 350 F (175 C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper for easy cleanup.
This ensures the cookies don’t stick and bake evenly.

Step 2: Mix the Dry Ingredients

In a medium bowl, whisk together:
✔️ Flour
✔️ Baking soda
✔️ Salt
✔️ Cinnamon

Set this aside—it’s going to be our dry mix that gives structure to the cookies.

Step 3: Cream the Butter & Sugars

In a large mixing bowl, use an electric mixer (or a strong arm and a whisk!) to beat together:
✔️ Butter (softened)
✔️ Granulated sugar
✔️ Brown sugar

Mix until the texture is light, fluffy, and creamy—this helps make your cookies soft and chewy!

Step 4: Add the Wet Ingredients

Next, mix in:
✔️ Egg – This binds everything together.
✔️ Vanilla extract – For that cozy, sweet aroma.
✔️ Mashed bananas – This is where the moisture and flavor come from!

Stir until everything is well combined and the batter looks smooth.

Step 5: Combine & Fold

Slowly add the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients, stirring just until combined. Overmixing can make the cookies dense, so be gentle!

If you’re using chopped walnuts, fold them in now for a delicious crunch.

Step 6: Scoop & Bake

Using a spoon or cookie scoop, drop heaping tablespoons of dough onto your baking sheet, leaving about 2 inches of space between each cookie (they’ll spread a little!).

Bake for 10-15 minutes, until the edges turn a light golden brown. The centers may still appear soft, but they’ll set as they cool.

Pro Tip: Love extra-soft cookies? Slightly underbake the cookies and let them finish setting on the baking sheet for the perfect soft texture!

Step 7: Cool & Make the Glaze

Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to finish cooling.
While they cool, make the cream cheese glaze:

Beat the softened cream cheese until smooth.

Slowly add powdered sugar, mixing until creamy.

Stir in milk and vanilla extract until the glaze is drizzle-able.

“Good things come to those who bake… and even better things come to those who glaze!”

Step 8: Glaze & Enjoy!

Once the cookies are completely cool, drizzle or spread the cream cheese glaze on top.

And just like that—you have the most irresistible Banana Bread Cookies ever!

Pro Tips for Making the Best Banana Bread Cookies

Want bakery-style results? Follow these tips for perfect cookies every time:

✔️ Use ripe bananas – The more brown spots, the better! Overripe bananas add natural sweetness and moisture.
✔️ Don’t overmix the dough – Stir just until combined to keep the cookies soft and tender.
✔️ Chill the dough (optional) – If your dough feels too sticky, chill it for 15 minutes before baking.
✔️ Toast the walnuts – If using walnuts, toast them for a few minutes before adding to enhance the flavor.
✔️ Glaze only when cool – Otherwise, the glaze will melt right off!

Pro Tip: Love a little crunch? Sprinkle crushed nuts or cinnamon sugar on top of the glaze!

How to Serve Banana Bread Cookies

These cookies are perfect on their own, but here are some fun ways to enjoy them even more:

✔️ With Coffee or Tea – A warm cookie + a hot drink = pure bliss.
✔️ As a Dessert Sandwich – Spread extra cream cheese glaze between two cookies!
✔️ With Ice Cream – Crumble them over vanilla or caramel ice cream.
✔️ Dipped in Chocolate – Melt some dark chocolate and dip half of each cookie for a fancy touch.
✔️ For Breakfast – Because honestly, who wouldn’t want cookies for breakfast?!

“There’s no wrong way to eat a Banana Bread Cookie… except not eating one at all!”

Make Ahead and Storage

One of the best things about these Banana Bread Cookies is that they store really well! Whether you’re making them ahead of time or saving leftovers (if there are any!), here’s how to keep them fresh.

Storing Leftovers

At Room Temperature: Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Since they contain bananas, they’re best eaten fresh!
In the Fridge:Store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.. The glaze may firm up a bit, but the cookies will still be delicious!

👉 Pro Tip: If stacking the cookies in a container, place parchment paper between layers to prevent sticking!

Freezing

Want to save some for later? These cookies freeze beautifully!

Freezing Baked Cookies:

Let them cool completely before freezing.
Place them in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze for 25 minutes.
Transfer to a freezer-safe bag or container and freeze for up to 3 months.
When ready to eat, thaw at room temperature and drizzle with fresh glaze if needed.

Freezing the Dough:

Scoop cookie dough onto a baking sheet and freeze until firm.
Transfer the frozen dough balls into a zip-top bag and store for up to 3 months.
When baking from frozen, add 1-2 extra minutes to the bake time—no need to thaw!

Reheating

From the Fridge: Let the cookies sit at room temperature for 10-15 minutes or warm them in the microwave for 10 seconds.
From the Freezer: Let them thaw at room temp, then warm in the oven at 300°F (150°C) for 5 minutes to restore their soft texture.

“The secret to always having fresh cookies? A stocked freezer and a little patience.”

FAQs

Got questions? Here are some of the most common ones about these Banana Bread Cookies!

1. Can I make these cookies without the glaze?

Absolutely! The cookies taste amazing on their own, but the glaze adds a little extra sweetness and richness. If you prefer a less sweet treat, feel free to leave it out!

2. Can I use whole wheat flour instead of all-purpose flour?

Yes! You can swap half of the all-purpose flour for whole wheat flour to make them slightly healthier. Just note that they’ll be a bit denser.

3. My bananas aren’t ripe enough—what can I do?

If your bananas aren’t soft and spotty, try this trick:
Bake them in the oven at 300°F (150°C) for 15 minutes to soften and bring out their natural sweetness!
Or, microwave them in 30-second bursts until they become soft.

4. Can I add chocolate chips or other mix-ins?

Yes! Feel free to get creative. Some great mix-in ideas:
✔️ Chocolate chips – Dark, milk, or white chocolate all work.
✔️ Toasted coconut – Adds extra texture and flavor.
✔️ Dried fruit – Raisins or chopped dates add natural sweetness.
✔️ Extra nuts – Pecans or almonds are great alternatives to walnuts.

“Recipes are like roadmaps—don’t be afraid to take a few delicious detours!”

Conclusion

There you have it—the ultimate Banana Bread Cookies recipe! These cookies are the perfect way to satisfy your banana bread cravings in bite-sized, snackable form. With their soft, chewy texture, warm cinnamon flavor, and irresistible cream cheese glaze, they’re guaranteed to become a household favorite.

Whether you’re making them for a weekend treat, holiday baking, or just because you have extra bananas, this recipe is simple, quick, and always a crowd-pleaser. Plus, they store beautifully, so you can enjoy them fresh out of the oven or save some for later!

So, what are you waiting for? Grab those ripe bananas and start baking! And if you give these a try, be sure to share your thoughts—I’d love to hear how they turned out for you.

Happy baking!

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