Have you ever looked at those ripe bananas on your counter and thought, there has to be something better than banana bread? I’ve been there. While I love a good slice of banana bread, sometimes you just want a handheld treat. Something a little different.
That’s exactly how this recipe came to be. It’s one of my all time favorite Cookie Recipes. These soft banana cookies are like a wonderful little surprise. They have a cake like texture and are topped with the most amazing cream cheese frosting. It’s a truly delightful combination.
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Why You’ll Love This Recipe
First off, the texture is just fantastic. These aren’t your typical crispy cookies. They are soft, pillowy, and almost melt in your mouth. The almond and coconut flours give them a unique, tender crumb that is so satisfying.
The flavor is another big win. The sweet banana pairs beautifully with a hint of cinnamon. Then you add that tangy, sweet cream cheese frosting on top. It’s a match made in heaven. Every bite is packed with comforting flavors.
And let’s talk about how easy they are. This is a very straightforward recipe. You don’t need any fancy equipment. Just a couple of bowls and a baking sheet. It’s one of those great Baking Ideas for a lazy Sunday afternoon.
Plus, this recipe is naturally gluten free. Using almond and coconut flour makes it a great option for those with gluten sensitivities. It’s one of those Unique Cookie Recipes that everyone can enjoy. You’ll be so proud to share these.
Ingredients
Here’s everything you’ll need to gather. Having your ingredients ready to go makes the whole process so much smoother. It’s a great habit for any kind of baking.
For The Cookies
- 2 tablespoons melted and cooled coconut oil
- ½ cup mashed ripe banana (from 1 medium ripe banana)
- ¼ cup organic cane sugar
- 1 egg, at room temperature
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 ¼ cups packed fine blanched almond flour
- ¼ cup coconut flour
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon salt
For The Cream Cheese Frosting
- ½ cup powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoons cream cheese, at room temperature
- 2 tablespoons butter, at room temperature
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon almond milk, if necessary
For The Topping
- ¼ cup chopped toasted walnuts or pecans
Step-By-Step Instructions
Ready to get baking? Let’s walk through this together. Follow these simple steps for some amazing cookies.
Step 1: Mix The Wet Ingredients
In a large bowl, combine the melted coconut oil, mashed banana, sugar, egg, and vanilla extract. Whisk them all together until the mixture is smooth and well combined. You want to make sure the banana is fully incorporated.
Step 2: Add The Dry Ingredients
Next, add the almond flour, coconut flour, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt right into the same bowl. Use a spatula or wooden spoon to mix everything until a soft dough forms. Don’t overmix it. Just mix until you no longer see dry flour.
Step 3: Chill The Dough
This step is quick but important. Let the dough chill in the refrigerator for about 5 minutes. This helps the coconut flour absorb some moisture and makes the dough a little easier to handle. While it chills, preheat your oven to 350 degrees F.
Step 4: Prepare For Baking
Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper. This is a must for easy cleanup. It also prevents the cookies from sticking. Set your prepared baking sheet aside for a moment. Having it ready makes the next step a breeze.
Step 5: Roll And Flatten The Cookies
Now, grab your chilled dough. It will still be quite soft, and that is perfectly okay. Use your hands to roll the dough into balls about the size of a golf ball. Place them on your prepared cookie sheet.
Then, gently flatten each dough ball with the palm of your hand. Aim for them to be about 1/4 inch thick. Try to keep them nice and round for a pretty final look. These are lovely Dessert Ideas for sharing.
Step 6: Bake Until Golden
Place the baking sheet in your preheated oven. Bake for 9 to 12 minutes. The cookies are done when they are slightly golden on the edges. They will still feel soft in the center, which is what we want for these soft Cookie Recipes.
Step 7: Cool The Cookies Completely
Once baked, remove the cookies from the oven. Let them sit on the hot baking sheet for 5 to 10 minutes. This helps them firm up a bit. After that, carefully transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely. Cooling is key before frosting.
Step 8: Make The Frosting
While the cookies are cooling, you can make the delicious frosting. In a medium bowl, mix together the powdered sugar, room temperature cream cheese, softened butter, and vanilla extract. You can use an electric mixer for a super smooth frosting.
If the frosting seems too thick, add about a half teaspoon of almond milk to thin it out. You want it to be easily spreadable but not runny.
Step 9: Frost And Garnish
Once the cookies are completely cool, it’s time for the fun part. Spread a layer of that creamy frosting on each cookie. Top them with some chopped toasted walnuts or pecans. For an extra touch, sprinkle a tiny bit of cinnamon over the frosting.
How To Store Leftovers
These cookies are so good they might not last long. But if you do have leftovers, here’s how to store them. You can keep them in an airtight container at room temperature for a day or two. They will get softer each day, which is actually quite nice.
For longer storage, pop the container in the refrigerator for up to a week. They are great straight from the fridge. You can also freeze these cookies for up to 2 months. Just be sure to store them in a freezer safe container.
Tips
Looking for a few extra pointers? Here are some tips to make these Cookie Recipes even better. First, make sure your bananas are very ripe. The ones with lots of brown spots are the best. They are sweeter and provide more moisture.
If you aren’t a fan of cream cheese frosting, you can make a simple vanilla buttercream instead. Just swap the cream cheese for an extra 2 tablespoons of softened butter. It’s just as delicious.
Want to skip the frosting altogether? No problem. These cookies are great on their own. Or, you can stir about a half cup of chocolate chips into the batter before baking. That’s another one of my favorite Baking Ideas.
To make this recipe vegan, you can try using a flax egg. Mix one tablespoon of flaxseed meal with three tablespoons of water and let it sit for a few minutes. Also, be sure to use vegan cream cheese and vegan butter for the frosting.
Conclusion
And there you have it. A simple, delicious, and satisfying cookie recipe that is sure to become a favorite. It’s one of those amazing Dessert Ideas that feels both comforting and a little special. I love how soft and flavorful they turn out every single time.
Whether you’re an experienced baker or just starting out, this is a great recipe to try. I hope you enjoy these soft banana cookies as much as I do. They are a wonderful addition to any collection of Cookie Recipes. Happy baking!
FAQ
Are These Cookies Gluten Free?
Yes, they are. This recipe uses a combination of almond flour and coconut flour, which are both naturally gluten free. It’s a great option for anyone avoiding gluten. This is one of my go to gluten free Cookie Recipes.
Can I Use A Different Flour?
I would recommend sticking with the almond and coconut flour combination. Gluten free baking can be tricky. These flours have specific properties that affect the texture and moisture of the cookies. Substituting with other flours will likely change the result.
My Dough Is Really Sticky, Is That Normal?
Yes, absolutely. The dough for these cookies is very soft and a bit sticky, even after chilling. This is totally normal. It’s what gives the cookies their wonderfully soft, cake like texture. Just handle it gently when you roll it into balls.
What If I Don’t Have Ripe Bananas?
For the best flavor and texture, very ripe bananas are key. They provide natural sweetness and a lot of moisture. If your bananas are still a bit green, the cookies won’t be as sweet or moist. You can try roasting them in the oven for a bit to soften them up and bring out their sweetness.
Soft Banana Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting
These soft, pillowy banana cookies have a fantastic cake-like texture and are topped with a delicious, tangy cream cheese frosting. Naturally gluten-free with almond and coconut flours, they’re an easy and comforting treat for any occasion.
Requirements
Ingredients
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine the melted coconut oil, mashed banana, sugar, egg, and vanilla extract. Whisk them all together until the mixture is smooth and well combined. You want to make sure the banana is fully incorporated.
- Next, add the almond flour, coconut flour, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt right into the same bowl. Use a spatula or wooden spoon to mix everything until a soft dough forms. Don’t overmix it. Just mix until you no longer see dry flour.
- This step is quick but important. Let the dough chill in the refrigerator for about 5 minutes. This helps the coconut flour absorb some moisture and makes the dough a little easier to handle. While it chills, preheat your oven to 350 degrees F.
- Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper. This is a must for easy cleanup. It also prevents the cookies from sticking. Set your prepared baking sheet aside for a moment. Having it ready makes the next step a breeze.
- Now, grab your chilled dough. It will still be quite soft, and that is perfectly okay. Use your hands to roll the dough into balls about the size of a golf ball. Place them on your prepared cookie sheet.
- Then, gently flatten each dough ball with the palm of your hand. Aim for them to be about 1/4 inch thick. Try to keep them nice and round for a pretty final look. These are lovely Dessert Ideas for sharing.
- Place the baking sheet in your preheated oven. Bake for 9 to 12 minutes. The cookies are done when they are slightly golden on the edges. They will still feel soft in the center, which is what we want for these soft Cookie Recipes.
- Once baked, remove the cookies from the oven. Let them sit on the hot baking sheet for 5 to 10 minutes. This helps them firm up a bit. After that, carefully transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely. Cooling is key before frosting.
- While the cookies are cooling, you can make the delicious frosting. In a medium bowl, mix together the powdered sugar, room temperature cream cheese, softened butter, and vanilla extract. You can use an electric mixer for a super smooth frosting.
- If the frosting seems too thick, add about a half teaspoon of almond milk to thin it out. You want it to be easily spreadable but not runny.
- Once the cookies are completely cool, it’s time for the fun part. Spread a layer of that creamy frosting on each cookie. Top them with some chopped toasted walnuts or pecans. For an extra touch, sprinkle a tiny bit of cinnamon over the frosting.
Notes
Make sure your bananas are very ripe. The ones with lots of brown spots are the best as they are sweeter and provide more moisture.
If you aren’t a fan of cream cheese frosting, you can make a simple vanilla buttercream instead by swapping the cream cheese for an extra 2 tablespoons of softened butter.
To skip the frosting, these cookies are great on their own, or you can stir about a half cup of chocolate chips into the batter before baking.
To make this recipe vegan, try using a flax egg (one tablespoon of flaxseed meal with three tablespoons of water) and use vegan cream cheese and vegan butter for the frosting.
Nutrition
Calories
Sugar
Fat
Carbs
