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.
Made these and they are fabulous! The icing is just as amazing as the cookie and I must say it was super easy to make!
These cookies just made my Sunday even better! They were super moist and soft which I like about my cookies. Thanks for the recipe & will definitely try your other cookie recipes! 🙂
Made these last week and they were fabulous!! Everyone was raving over them!
I just baked these. They truly are amazing! Thanks for the recipe – nothing like this out there on the www! It is the consistency of banana bread but with oats and in a cookie form.
We are going on a health kick lately so to get more fiber I substituted the 1 1/2 cup flour with 1/2 cup whole wheat flour plus 1 cup white flour. Also reduced the brown sugar a bit b/c my bananas were super ripe and sweet. Turned out fine.
I love your story too – most of us moms can totally relate.
I just made these and nearly fell off my stool with how not only easy but delicious there are! I am looking forward to making every recipe on your site…. Ps. That’s cool that you power your house from being bitten by an eel … Teehee hee….
These cookies look amazing. I will have to hide a couple bananas from the kids so I can give it a try. I did try your Buckeye Brownies recipe and YUMMM!!
I too have had Karma bite me in the butt. My first daughter was an angel-so well behaved and always clean and put together. I was a young mom (barely 20 when I had her) and would scoff at the moms in the store who could not keep their toddlers under control. WELL, fast forward 12yrs and I became the mother of twin girls (AKA twinadoes). The screaming and fit throwing is now in surround sound .
Just made ’em. Delish. Moist and substantial. Great breakfast/coffee cookie. I saved a little bit of batter at the end and mixed in creamy peanut butter then covered each cookie with hand placed chocolate chips. Very rich. Loved both.
I judged in the same way! My pet peeve was opening food while in the store and letting the kids eat it. I thought it was so tacky.
Imagine my surprise when my usually very amiable daughter had a uber meltdown over goldfish crackers when I tossed them in the basket if the grocery cart she was riding in. Suddenly I became that woman I judged. Karma. A great lesson in humility and understanding too. And I had it coming.
Love the addition of the oats in the cookies! My dad eats bananas everyday and maple is a favorite flavor of his. These might actually become a Xmas gift for him.
Thank you !
Thanks! They are some of my favorites 🙂
Oh my this is all of my favourite things in cookie form! Added to the weekend baking list.
I just stumbled across your blog, and for the last two days have been laughing hysterically, especially about the “whisper yelling” in stores!!!! Love it! As a mom of four, so many of your post ring true to heart!