Banana-Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies

Banana-Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies

from Cooking Light, July 2009

1/2 cup mashed ripe banana (about 1-2 medium bananas) (I used 3 medium bananas)

1/2 cup packed brown sugar

1/4 cup butter (1/2 stick, 4 tablespoons), softened

1/4 cup granulated sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 large egg (I used 2 large eggs)

1 1/4 cups (5.6 ounces) all-purpose flour (I used 1/2 c. white whole wheat flour, 1/2 c. all-purpose flour, and 1/2 cup almond flour/almond meal)

2 cups old-fashioned oats (I used quick oats)

1 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 cup semisweet chocolate chips (I also added about 1/2 cup Reese's peanut butter chips)

Preheat oven to 350 F. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper. (I didn't use any parchment paper because I didn't have any on hand.  I had no problems with the cookies sticking to the baking sheets.)

Combine banana, sugars, butter and vanilla in a large bowl or the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment. Beat at medium speed until smooth (about 2 minutes). Add egg; beat well.

In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, oats, baking soda and salt. Add the flour mixture to the banana mixture and beat at medium speed until just combined. Stir in the chocolate chips.

Drop batter by heaping tablespoonfuls 2 inches apart onto the prepared baking sheets. Bake for 15-18 minutes or until golden. Cool on baking sheets for 2 minutes before removing to wire racks to cool completely.

Yields 2 dozen cookies.

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I found this recipe posted on another blog a while back.  I printed out the recipe knowing that I'd make it one of these days... well, today was the day.  There were 4 bananas sitting on my counter that were starting to ripen past my liking.  I knew I wasn't going to eat all 4 tomorrow, so I used 3 to make these cookies and I'll eat the last one for breakfast in the morning.  

Sometimes I just can't leave a recipe alone.  I really do enjoy creating in the kitchen.  = )

I made a few changes before even trying the original recipe.  I'd like to think that some of the changes made my version healthier, but I know the Reese's peanut butter chips wasn't one of them.  Hehee.....