chewy banana oatmeal cookies

Wow, these cookies are CHEWY! We’re talking super-chewy. As in, lots of old-fashioned oats, not a lot of flour. If you’re looking for a healthier cookie (not TOO healthy; it’s still got butter) with lots and lots of fiber, and something that still tastes decent when you cut the sugar, you’re in business with these cookies.

It’s also a cool old-timey recipe!

• 3/4 cup salted butter, softened (I used unsalted, though – if you do, too, be sure to add some salt)
• 1 cup brown sugar, packed (I cut the sugar by quite a bit, due to my ulcers, but I’d recommend the original quantity of sugar if your doctor didn’t tell you otherwise)
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1 egg
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 cup mashed bananas
• 1 1/2 cups all purpose flour
• 1 1/2 tsp cinnamon
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1/4 tsp ground cloves
• 2 tsp cornstarch
• 3 cups old fashioned oats

---

1. Mix together butter, brown sugar, sugar, egg, vanilla extract and mashed bananas until well combined.
2. Add flour, cinnamon, baking soda, cloves and cornstarch and mix until combined.
3. Stir in oats.
4. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
5. Spoon tablespoons of dough onto a greased cookie sheet (or cover with parchment paper – that’s what the original recipe recommends.) Flatten dough a little bit, into thick discs. They will spread a little when baked.
6. Bake for 10-12 minutes or until edges just start to golden.
7. Remove from oven and cool on cookie sheet for 3-4 minutes, then move to cooling rack to finish cooling.

original recipe from life, love, and sugar‘s grandmother, from West Virginia, and adapted by yours truly, the ulcer enby friedsig

---

These were the first cookies I made since the holes appeared in my digestive system. Since this recipe calls for twice as much oats as flour, you know these are VERY chewy. I wanted something that incorporated this (very overripe) banana I let go too far. Due to this, the banana flavor was cloying, and almost artificial tasting, so I’d recommend using a banana that hasn’t gone all the way black. The cookies are good. I would definitely like them better if I had followed the recipe and used all that sugar, haha. If you like a super-chewy cookie with a very different vibe than your everyday oatmeal cookies, give this one a whirl! Much healthier than all my favorite cookies, like my penpal Chris’ favorite gingersnaps, and these highly forbidden blueberry and dark chocolate oatmeal cookies.

Advertisement

apricot sage cornmeal cookies

Do you like a different kind of cookie? There’s no chance someone else will show up to the potluck with this one!

•1 stick (1/2 cup) unsalted butter, softened
•3/4 cup sugar
•1 large egg
•3/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
•1/2 teaspoon baking soda
•1/4 cup chopped dried apricots
•2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh sage leaves (see notes)
•1/2 cup cornmeal
•1/2 teaspoon salt 1/4t salt

Preheat oven to 350°F. and lightly grease 2 baking sheets.

In a bowl whisk together butter, sugar, and egg until smooth. Sift in flour and baking soda and add apricots, sage, cornmeal, and salt, stirring until combined.
Drop dough (no larger than tablespoons) about 1 inch apart onto baking sheets and bake in batches in middle of oven 10 minutes, or until pale golden. Cool cookies on sheets 2 minutes and transfer to a rack to cool.

+

by Gourmet magazine

+

Honestly, I wouldn’t call these “savory cookies”. 3/4c flour to 3/4c sugar – they are just as sweet as you are imagining.

Do not make these cookies very large like I did, or they’ll be a bit raw in the middle when the outer edges are perfectly crispy. The second batch (smaller cookies) turned out crispy and evenly baked. I used dry sage powder instead of fresh sage leaves, and next time I will try to find another substitution, because the dry sage was too subtle. Maybe apricot-tarragon next time? I added pecans because I was craving nuts, and so they turned out to be apricot-pecan cookies instead of sage. Pecan meal would be good with this sandy texture. I like that this recipe makes just a small number of cookies. I also like the addition of cornmeal. It tastes like the crispy crust on the edges of a sweet cornbread. It isn’t revelatory, but it’s a nice change of pace. (Use very fine powder cornmeal; don’t be like the woman in the review who complained that the coarse cornmeal she used nearly broke her teeth.) Overall, this recipe isn’t my favorite cookie, but I definitely plan to make it again with a few tweaks.

chris’ ginger snaps

these cookies are rich, crunchy, light in color, and packed with flavor. most of my ginger cookie recipes are dark and chewy, like gingerbread cookies. but these ginger snaps are really magical. thanks to chris for the recipe – they are fantastic.

2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons ground ginger
1 teaspoon baking soda
3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
1/4 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup butter, softened
1 cup white sugar
1 egg
1 tablespoon water
1/4 cup molasses
2 tablespoons white sugar

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Sift together the flour, ginger, baking soda, cinnamon, cloves, and salt. Set aside.
2. In a large bowl, cream together the butter and 1 cup sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the egg, then stir in the water and molasses. Gradually stir the sifted ingredients into the molasses mixture. Shape dough into walnut sized balls, and roll them in the remaining 2 tablespoons of sugar. Place the cookies 2 inches apart onto an ungreased cookie sheet, and flatten slightly.
3. Bake for 8 to 10 minutes in the preheated oven. Allow cookies to cool on baking sheet for 5 minutes before removing to a wire rack to cool completely. Store in an airtight container.

+

recipe from my penpal and total stranger Chris

sesame cookies

1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 stick (1/2 cup) unsalted butter, softened
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup well-stirred tahini
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

1/3 cup sesame seeds (for rolling)

Whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt in a small bowl.

Beat together butter and sugar in a large bowl until pale and fluffy, then beat in tahini and vanilla. Add flour mixture until a crumbly dough forms. Chill dough until firm, at least 1 hour.

Preheat oven to 350°F.

Stir together sesame seeds. Roll dough into 1-inch balls, then roll balls 1 at a time in seeds to coat and arrange 2 inches apart on greased or lined baking sheets. Bake until cookies are puffed and starting to crack, 12 to 15 minutes total. Cool on sheets 10 minutes (cookies will be very fragile when hot), then transfer to a rack to cool completely.

+

modified from epicurious

+

not my favorite cookie. crumbly, almost sandy texture. not exactly sweet, not exactly savory. maybe the mistake is with me – i used a little buckwheat flour and sometimes that causes a sandy texture. i usually throw a pinch in to any cookie i make, though – so i think it’s the tahini and lack of egg that causes a sandy texture.

it’s not sandy like shortbread. it’s less solid. it falls to dust when you dunk it in milk. not in a crumbly, warm way. in a silty way.

it is nice having a cookie recipe that only uses a half-cup of sugar. however, i don’t see myself revisiting this recipe unless someone asks for a low-ish sugar cookie.

tahini is amazing. i was hoping to love these cookies. i’ll have to stick to tahini almond date bites, goddess dressing, and baba ghanouj for my next sesame craving.

gluten-free gingersnaps

Perfect for eating, gift-giving, or making a sauerbraten sauce. This was modified from the baking beauties.

+

1 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup canola oil, butter, or margarine
2 large eggs
1/4 cup molasses
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup sorghum flour
1/2 cup millet flour (i had none, so subbed a combination of coconut flour, buckwheat flour, and white rice flour)
1/2 cup brown rice flour
1/3 cup potato starch
1/4 cup + 2 tablespoons cornstarch
2 teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon xanthan gum (i left it out, and they were great)
1/2 t pumpkin pie spice
pinch of nutmeg
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground ginger
1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
1/2 teaspoon salt

Preheat oven to 375°F.
In a large bowl, whisk together 1 cup granulated sugar, oil, eggs, molasses, and vanilla.
In a separate mixing bowl, whisk together the flours and starches, xanthan gum, baking soda, spices, and salt.
Mix the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients, and stir until fully combined.
DOUGH WILL SEEM TOO WET AND STICKY AND WEIRD, BUT THEY WILL COME OUT WELL!
Leave 2 inches between cookies.
Bake in preheated oven for 8-10 minutes. Allow cookies to remain on cookie sheet for 2 minutes before transferring them to a cooling rack to cool completely. Once cooled, store cookies in an airtight container.

+

modified by me from the baking beauties

+

I made mine big, and they came out a great texture – soft and fluffier than many gluten free recipes, and not super gluten-free tasting. Good!

chewy double chocolate cookies

i am very grateful to sally’s baking addiction for this new part of my life.

i used very dark chocolate chips and very dark cocoa powder, and the cookie was bitter, sweet, falling-apart moist and chewy, and exactly right for making a hard week more liveable.

+

1/2 cup (115g) unsalted butter, softened to room temperature*
1/2 cup (100g) granulated sugar
1/2 cup (100g) dark brown sugar (or light brown sugar)
1 large egg, room temperature preferred*
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup (125g) all-purpose flour
1/4 to 1/2 cup + 2 Tablespoons (~57g) unsweetened dark cocoa powder (depends on your cocoa powder – use enough to turn dough chocolatey brown)
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/8 teaspoon salt
2 Tablespoons (30ml) milk
1 cup (dark) chocolate chips

Using a handheld or stand mixer, cream the butter on medium speed for about 20 seconds. Add the sugars with the mixer running on medium speed. Cream it all together until light and fluffy. Beat in the egg and vanilla. Scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed.

In a separate medium size bowl, toss the flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt together. Slowly add to the wet ingredients with the mixer running on low. The dough will be very thick. By hand, stir in the milk, then fold in the white chocolate chips. The dough will be thick and very sticky. Chill for at least 2.5 hours and up to 36 hours, covered. Chilling is *mandatory.*

Preheat oven to 350F degrees. Line two large baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats. Set aside.

Take 2 Tablespoons of chilled dough and roll into a ball. Place on cookie sheet and press a few more white chocolate chips on the tops, if desired.
Bake for 12 minutes. Cookies will appear undone and very soft. Press down (gently) if cookies are too puffy. Allow to cool on the cookie sheet for at least 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.

+

adapted (barely) from sally’s baking addiction

+

If you love chocolate cookies, try a crispy eggless dark chocolate biscuit in a Scottish style. If you’re watching your sugar, this oat and date healthier chocolate chip cookie dough recipe has no wheat, no processed white sugar (except in the chocolate chips,) and seriously tastes like cookie dough.

almond and brown sugar cookies

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 stick unsalted butter, softened
1 cup packed light brown sugar
1 large egg
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1/2 cup whole blanched almonds (2 1/2 ounces)
(a little anise extract and pumpkin pie spice – optional)

Whisk together flour, baking soda, and salt. Beat together butter and brown sugar in a large bowl until pale and fluffy, then beat in egg and vanilla. Mix in flour mixture until a dough just forms. Stir in whole almonds. Divide dough in half. Using a sheet of plastic wrap or wax paper as an aid, form each piece of dough into a log 9 to 9 1/2 inches long (about 1 1/4 inches in diameter). Chill, wrapped in plastic wrap (or plastic grocery bag) until very firm, at least 4 hours. Freeze 30 minutes to facilitate slicing.

Preheat oven to 350°F with racks in upper and lower thirds. Line 2 large baking sheets with parchment paper. Cut 1 log of dough crosswise into slices less than 1/8 inch thick with a thin sharp knife, rotating log after each slice to help keep round shape. (If dough gets too soft to slice through nuts easily, freeze briefly.) Arrange cookies about 1/2 inch apart on baking sheets.

Bake cookies, switching position of sheets halfway through, until golden brown all over, 12 to 15 minutes total. Transfer cookies on parchment to racks to cool.

+

from epicurious

+

made a few substitutions.

my brown sugar had some kind of larvae in it, so i substituted non-larvaed sugar in the raw with a half-teaspoon or so of molasses. it gave them a rich, thick flavor.
also, i have anise extract and never know what to do with it, and i like anise-almond, so i gave it a try. WOW! so perfect. the flavors compliment each other well. finally, i added a dash of pumpkin pie spice and a little pinch of chocolate chips.

there is so much going on with these cookies that they actually don’t need the chocolate chips at all. i would recommend omitting them, like the original recipe did.

i have never made icebox cookies before, but now i understand the basic idea. these cookies come out looking exactly like cookies from the store. they are even and flat on top.

typically, i’m more of the crumbly, chewy cookie type. i like cookies that turn your glass of milk into a milkshake in five seconds flat.
these cookies are very different. they are dunking cookies – and they actually stand up to being dunked until the end. they are crunchy, crispy, and could easily convert someone to the crispy cookie camp.

highly recommended as holiday gifts. unique, good-looking, and easy! highly recommended.

amaretti di Saronno (gluten-free almond cookies)

2 1/4 cups blanched whole almonds (about 12 ounces), plus 15 for garnishing
2/3 cup sugar
2 large egg whites, at room temperature
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pure almond extract
1/4 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
15 glacéed cherries

Arrange racks in upper and lower thirds of oven and preheat to 350°F. Lightly oil 2 large baking sheets, then line with parchment paper.

In food processor, combine 2 1/4 cups almonds and 1/3 cup sugar. Process until finely ground, scraping down sides once or twice. Set aside.

In electric mixer fitted with whisk attachment, beat egg whites and salt at high speed until soft peaks form. Reduce speed to medium and gradually sprinkle in remaining 1/3 cup sugar. Return speed to high and beat mixture until stiff, shiny peaks form. Gently fold in ground almond mixture and almond and vanilla extracts.

Roll mixture into 1-inch balls, place 2 inches apart on baking sheets, and flatten slightly. Top each with glacéed cherry or almond. Bake until cookies are golden, switching positions of pans halfway through, about 25 minutes. Cool on sheets 5 minutes, then transfer to racks to cool completely.

Cookies keep, wrapped, several days, or frozen, several weeks. Recrisp in warm oven.

+

from epicurious

midnight crackles

70 g butter (0.619 stick)
140g brown sugar (0.636 cups packed)
150 g dark chocolate with 70% cocoa (1 T chocolate chips)
170 g flour (1.417 cups)
30g cocoa (5.556 T)
½ teaspoon baking soda
¼ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon cinnamon
pinch of cloves
1 egg

optional:
1 pinch minced ginger or 1 splash ginger juice
one dash cayenne

melt butter, chocolate, and sugar together.

mix dough.

refrigerate 1 h.

bake at 180c (350f) for 10-12 minutes and do not overbake – they will seem soft coming out of the oven.

+

adapted from prstohvat soli

+

Very good! I used a rich dark chocolate cocoa powder, and dark chocolate chips, and the cookies were almost bittersweet. Chocolate isn’t my favorite, but this is a great cookie for (an adult) chocolate craving!

blueberry and dark chocolate oatmeal cookies

i tweaked diane’s six-spice oatmeal cookies. i was so haunted by thoughts of blueberry-oatmeal after seeing photos on the delicious life that i smashed the recipes together.

i followed the recipe a bit more closely than this version here. although i like cumin, i did not think it belonged in this cookie. i recommend replacing it with coriander, anise, or, as i’ve done in this version, black pepper.

1 1/2 cups mixed all-purpose flour and oat flour (make your own by blending quick-cook oats)
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon (or pumpkin pie spice)
1 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
1 teaspoon ground ginger
a pinch ground cloves
a pinch cayenne
a pinch black pepper
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 sticks (1 cup) unsalted butter, softened
1 cup packed brown sugar
1 cup granulated sugar
1 large egg
1 teaspoon vanilla
3 cups old-fashioned rolled oats
1/2 c dried blueberries, cherries, raisins, or a combination
dark chocolate chips or chunks, to taste

(i cut the recipe in half, but used the whole egg, and it was great.)

cream sugar and butter. add eggs and vanilla. finally, incorporate dry ingredients. don’t overmix. i refrigerated the dough about a half-hour before i preheated the oven to 375. leave them in balls on the cookie sheet. bake 10 minutes, less if your cookies aren’t massive.

+

these are my new favorite oatmeal cookies. blueberries and dark chocolate are made for each other! highly recommended!