Banana Bread Cookies

Banana bread-inspired cookies are a delicious variant that combines the texture of classic cookies with the sweet and comforting taste of banana bread. Here is the recipe for making delicious Italian-style banana bread cookies.

Ingredients

• 2 ripe bananas
• 200 g of type 00 flour
• 100 g of brown sugar
• 1 egg
• 50 g of softened butter
• 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda
• 1 pinch of salt
• 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract
• 1/2 teaspoon of powdered cinnamon (optional)
• 100 g of chocolate chips or dark chocolate pieces (optional)
• 50 g of coarsely chopped nuts (optional)

Preparation

1. Prepare the oven by preheating it to 180 °C and line a baking tray with parchment paper.
2. In a bowl, mash the ripe bananas with a fork until pureed.
3. In another bowl, mix the flour with the baking soda and pinch of salt.
4. In the bowl with the bananas, add the egg, brown sugar, softened butter, and vanilla extract. Mix well until smooth.
5. Gradually incorporate the dry ingredients into the banana mixture, stirring with a wooden spoon or spatula.
6. Add the cinnamon, chocolate chips, and chopped nuts if you decided to use them, incorporating them into the dough.
7. Using a spoon, take portions of the dough and form small mounds on the prepared baking tray, leaving some space between each cookie.
8. Bake the cookies for about 10-15 minutes or until they are golden and slightly crispy on the edges.
9. Remove the cookies from the oven and let them cool on a rack before serving.

Tip: If you want to add an even more Italian touch, you can replace the nuts with chopped hazelnuts and add some grated orange zest to the dough for a special aroma.

Curiosity

The banana bread recipe originated in the United States during the Great Depression when housewives sought to make the most of food without waste, including overripe bananas. Over time, it has become a beloved recipe around the world, and this biscuit version is a delicious variation on the original theme.