The Best Cookies I Have Ever Made - Banana Oatmeal Cookies

I am always looking for new ways to make banana bread exciting and for new ways to use my ripe bananas. I ran across a cookie recipe on Pinterest (love that site!) that comes from skinnytaste.com that claimed it was "banana bread taste in a cookie form". I absolutely had to try it! I couldn't imagine a cookie staying moist like banana bread and I have to say that it truly does taste like it. You must be careful not to overbake them as they will get very crunchy, very fast. I ruined my second batch by leaving them in just a little too long while I was working on laundry, gotta multi-task you know. Anyway, they are awesome and I need to make some more soon. I think I will add chocolate chips next time.

Here's What You Need:

1 cup flour (I used whole wheat)

1 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp baking soda

1/2 tsp salt

1/2 tsp cinnamon (I always use Penzey's Vietnamese cinnamon - Penzy's is the best local spice shop in Madison, WI I think and I'm sure you can order from them online)

2 Tbsp unsalted butter, at room temperature

1/2 cup sugar

1/2 cup unpacked brown sugar

1 large egg

1/4 cup mashed banana

1/2 tsp Vanilla extract

2 cups quick oats (I actually only used one)

3/4 cup chopped walnuts (optional and I did not use)

In a medium bowl blend your flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt and cinnamon.

Here's What You Do:

In a large bowl or using a mixer on medium speed (I love my KitchenAid stand mixer!), cream the butter with the white and brown sugars for a few minutes. Then add the egg, mixing well. Once the egg is mixed in, add your mashed banana and vanilla. Then, by hand, slowly incorporate the dry flour mixture into the batter. Lastly, add the oatmeal and walnuts (if you choose). The next time I make these cookies I will add my chocolate chips right here. The batter is so good, it almost didn't make it to the baking step.

Drop cookie batter in spoonfuls onto greased cookie sheets and bake at 350 degrees for 10 minutes. My oven runs hot, so I only cooked mine for 8 minutes. I wasn't sure if they were ready to come out as they were still fairly light in color and jiggly, but they were perfectly done.

Allow the cookies to cool on the cookie sheet for a little while, you don't want to burn your mouth! The smell might be hard to resist, but the wait is well worth it. Chewy, banana bread goodness in every cookie bite. Enjoy, and I hope your cookies last in the kitchen longer than mine did. I cannot stop eating them.