Are you ever out somewhere and see those moms, who are obviously at their wit’s end..
With snot stains on their shirt, an “If you so much as THINK about looking at me, I will cut you” expression on their face and a kid with a kool-aid mustache trailing behind them crying?
Before I had kids I vowed never to be that mom.
Never. Ever. Not in a million years.
I mean, “C’mon random woman…kids aren’t that hard. I mean, there’s no reason to be so angry”, I used to think.
Well.
The universe heard my judgment…tucked it away in it’s universe-back-pocket and saved it for a rainy day. Or a random Friday in the year 2012.
Yeah, last Friday, not only was I that random woman that I placed such harsh judgment on many years ago…I was that woman times 17.
The only difference between that woman and me, was I didn’t have snot on me. I, unknowingly, had dried blood on my pants from when my 7 year old got a bloody nose before we left the house. And it was super awesome, because not only did I not notice the blood until it was too late, it was BLOOD ON MY PANTS!! Draw your own conclusions, people.
So as I was whisper-yelling at my kids, attempting to buy groceries for my family and trying nonchalantly to hide the blood stains on my pants I shape-shifted into that poor, poor woman from long ago.
The only difference between her and me, was she was WAY more pulled together. I dreamed of only a kool-aid mustache and a few tears in that moment. I dreamed of some crusty snot on my shoulder. I was in full fledged “panic-in-Target” mode, while my kids bounced off the end displays and random old people looked at me in disgust saying, “Get control of your child” with only their eyes.
So moral of the story…that woman in Target who looks like a Nick Nolte mug shot, don’t judge her. The universe is a bitch.
Now.
Moving on.
Banana Bread Cookies.
They’re comforting. The perfect cure for a tough day at Target.
I’ve been trying to make these cookies for ages, but once I have an idea for old bananas, suddenly my family feels the need to eat their potassium.
But finally yesterday I convinced my kids to eat a box of Nerds instead of the totally mashable bananas I had on the counter.
Wow, I’m either the coolest or worst mom in history.
So mash your bananas, and mix in some other important ingredients…oil, egg, sugar, oats…
Also, as you can see I used chocolate chips in mine. If you don’t like chocolate chips in your banana bread, you can easily sub in nuts or raisins…
Then just bake. They’ll look pretty when they’re done.
Then…if you want to get crazy you’ll need to frost them. Cookies with frosting are kind of my thing.
And I made a maple cream cheese frosting, which is totally optional, but really not optional at all.
Then eat.
Print
Banana Bread Cookies with Maple Cream Cheese Frosting
Description
Makes about 26 cookies
Ingredients
Cookies
- 3 very ripe bananas, mashed (about 1 1/2 cups)
- 1 cup brown sugar (either dark or light)
- 1/4 cup canola oil
- 1 1/2 tsp vanilla
- 1 egg
- 1 1/2 cups flour
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp kosher salt
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp nutmeg
- 2 cups quick oats
- 1/2 cup chocolate chips, chopped walnuts or raisins (I used chocolate chips)
Frosting
- 3 oz cream cheese, room temperature
- 1/2 cup butter, room temperature
- 1 1/2 Tbsp maple syrup ~ or if you don’t prefer maple you can use 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
Instructions
Cookies
- Preheat oven to 350°
- Combine bananas, sugar, oil, vanilla and egg in mixing bowl. Beat until combined.
- Add in flour, salt, baking soda, cinnamon and nutmeg. Mix on low until smooth.
- Finally pour in oats and chips, nuts or raisins. Stir until evenly incorporated.
- On a nonstick cookie sheet, or a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper, drop batter my large tablespoon, about 2 inches apart.
- Bake for 10-12 minutes until edges are golden and centers are set.
- Transfer cookies to a wire rack to cool.
Frosting
- In a stand mixer combine cream cheese, butter and maple syrup or extract beating until smooth.
- Turn mixer down to low and add in powdered sugar until just combined. Turn mixer up to medium and beat until smooth, about 1 minute.
- Spread a tablespoon of frosting onto each cookie.
Notes
store in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
Refrigerate if desired.
cookies are really good. I made them today. The only problem was the frosting. It was much thinner than the picture showed I had to add a bunch more sugar to firm it up. But over all really good and I will see how the girls like them tonight. Will let you know.
We LOVE these cookies and it’s a nice change from regular banana bread!!!
Shelly, these look incredible!
Aloha,
I have tons of banana trees in my yard and like most things – it’s none or 6 bunches all at once. I made these cookies and the banana brownies yesterday – my bananas were scary overripe and had been frozen – the cookies came out perfect – flavor was wonderful and I frosted some – for “cookies” and the ones I didn’t frost were breakfast for the kids! The kids were worried that there was something wrong with me – I let them have cookies for breakfast? Worked great for my Saturday morning! In the brownies, I could taste the too ripeness of the bananas.
Thanks for always inspiring!
April
Yup I think I was that mother a few times too even though I vowed I wouldn’t. Now that they’re grown Ive forgotten t.
I made the cookies today. I’m going to freeze them and take them to my sons wedding. I don’t have cream cheese in the house, but do have maple syrup. I will make maple butter icing.
Mmm these look so fabulous!
Wow, these looks awesome. Love banana bread and the frosting is a great addition. Just made your caramel apple cheesecake bars adn they were a huge hit! Thanks for always having the best dessert recipes!
Made these cookies last night and they are awesome! I did have a little problem with portion control, so I got a little over half of the recommended number of cookies. They are like banana bread cookies and with the visible oats they dont feel too guilty!
Gotta love the Target meltdowns 🙂 They don’t happen as much anymore…as much… I’ve learned to not care what anyone thinks about it and just finish up my business and be on my way 🙂
Can’t wait to make these cookies! I made up something similar many years ago – but never wrote down the recipe…my family will love these! Thanks for sharing!
I have SO been that mom. As a matter of fact, someone left a message on my Facebook page saying they had seen me in Target. My first thought was, “was I screaming at my kid?!?” 😉
So, I think our families are twins in that I’ve been trying to save TWO bananas for a recipe and somehow, they always get eaten. This has been going on for over two weeks now. Finally, I stashed two in a paper bag and am waiting for them to come to complete ripeness. I’ve come to the point in life of hiding bananas in a paper bag. Exciting.
And, your cookies are genius! I want them NOW…..or in 3 weeks…whenever I get more bananas. 😉