Ripe Banana Spice Cookies
Ripe Banana Spice Cookies offer a moist, flavorful treat with warm spices, nuts, and raisins, perfect for banana lovers and those craving comforting baked goods.
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup Crisco shortening ⓘ
- 1 cup packed brown sugar
- 2 whole eggs ⓘ
- 1 cup mashed ripe bananas ⓘ
- 2 cups all-purpose flour ⓘ
- 2 teaspoons baking powder ⓘ
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon ⓘ
- 1/4 teaspoon baking soda ⓘ
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves ⓘ
- 1/4 teaspoon salt ⓘ
- 1/2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans ⓘ
- 1/2 cup raisins ⓘ
Instructions
- In a mixing bowl, cream shortening and brown sugar.
- Add eggs, one at a time, and mashed ripe bananas; mix well.
- Combine all-purpose flour, baking powder, ground cinnamon, baking soda, ground cloves, and salt.
- Add dry ingredients to the creamed mixture and mix well.
- Stir in chopped walnuts or pecans and raisins.
- Chill the dough, which will be very soft.
- Drop by teaspoonfuls onto greased baking sheets.
- Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 8 to 10 minutes or until lightly brown.
Tips & Substitutions
For a softer cookie, ensure you don't overmix the dough after adding the flour. If you want to enhance the flavor, consider adding a touch of vanilla extract or substituting some of the shortening with butter. If you're out of walnuts or pecans, any nut or even chocolate chips can work well. You can also use gluten-free flour for a gluten-free version.
Serving Suggestions
Serve these cookies warm with a glass of milk for a delightful treat. They pair beautifully with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for dessert or as an afternoon snack. You can also enjoy them alongside a cup of tea or coffee. For a festive touch, consider serving them with a slice of Apple Crisp With Peanut Butter.
Storage & Reheating
Store leftover cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. For longer storage, keep them in the fridge for up to a week or freeze them for up to 3 months. To reheat, simply pop them in the microwave for a few seconds or warm them in an oven at 300°F until heated through.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Ripe Banana Spice Cookies contains roughly 138 calories, with 1g protein, 21g carbohydrates, and 6g fat.
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use frozen bananas for this recipe?
Yes, frozen bananas can be used in this recipe. Just thaw them completely and drain any excess liquid before mashing. They will add great moisture and sweetness to your cookies.
How can I make these cookies healthier?
To make these cookies healthier, you can reduce the amount of sugar or use a sugar substitute. Additionally, you could replace half of the shortening with unsweetened applesauce for a lower-fat option, enhancing the banana flavor.
What can I substitute for eggs in this recipe?
If you're looking for an egg substitute, you can use 1/4 cup of unsweetened applesauce or a flaxseed meal mixture (1 tablespoon flaxseed meal mixed with 2.5 tablespoons water) for each egg. This will help bind the ingredients while keeping the cookies moist.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).