CooksCountry.com

Recipes

Deluxe Peanut Butter and Banana Chocolate Chip Cookies

Chocolate chip cookie variations are often either too complicated or down right odd. This time we wanted to add the perfect combination of flavors that just went together naturally together. Here's what we discovered:

Test Kitchen Discoveries

  • We found crunchy peanut butter yields the best texture and flavor.
  • A whole banana didn't impart enough flavor on its own. We found some help in the dried fruit section of the supermarket.
Deluxe Peanut Butter and Banana Chocolate Chip Cookies

Makes about 4 dozen cookies

You will need 1 ripe banana for this recipe.

2 cups all-purpose flour 
1/2 teaspoon baking soda 
8 tablespoons (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened 
2 ounces cream cheese  , softened
1/2 cup packed light brown sugar 
1/2 cup granulated sugar 
1/2 cup chunky peanut butter 
1/4 cup mashed banana  (see note)
1 large egg 
2 teaspoons vanilla extract 
1/2 cup semisweet chocolate chips 
1/2 cup dried banana chips  , chopped

1. MIX COOKIES Adjust oven racks to upper-middle and lower-middle positions and heat oven to 350 degrees. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper. Combine flour and baking soda in bowl. With electric mixer on medium-high speed, beat butter, cream cheese, and sugars until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes. Add peanut butter, banana, egg, and vanilla and mix until incorporated. Reduce speed to low, and add flour mixture and mix until just combined. Stir in chocolate chips and banana chips.

2. SCOOP COOKIES Roll dough into 1½-inch balls. Place balls 2 inches apart on prepared baking sheets. Using fork, gently press crisscross pattern in top of each cookie. Bake until golden, 12 to 14 minutes, switching and rotating sheets halfway through baking. Cool 5 minutes on sheets, then transfer to wire rack and cool completely. Repeat with remaining dough. (Cookies can be stored in airtight container for 3 days.)

RELATED LINKS