Friday, March 06, 2009

My Favorite Cookie??? Banana Peanut Butter Cup Cookies

Okay, I really don't think I could pick a very favorite cookie.  BUT these are way up there on the list.  Chocolate Chip Cookies are probably my favorite kind of cookie, but I LOVE all things banana.  I even like Banana Laffy Taffy and Banana Runts, which is really saying something, because if it isn't chocolate, I don't really care for candy.  I always buy more bananas than I know will get eaten here.  I want those overripe bananas on my counter calling my name to make something with them.  I often just do my favorite low fat banana muffins, but I'm also always on the look out for cookies, bars, bread, you name it.  Well, I just found probably my favorite banana cookie.  I wonder sometimes if I deprive (with my dieting/healthy eating) myself too much of things I love and just end up going gah-gah over them.  I suppose in a way I don't really care, I'm just happy to have THIS cookie now at my fingertips.  THIS cookie is from Jenny at Picky Palate.  If you don't know who she is in the food blogging world, then really what rock have you been living under? ;)

Jenny and her blog and her baking/cooking are an inspiration to me.  She enters and is accepted and even often wins all kinds of cooking/baking contests.  She was most recently featured on the Food Network's Ultimate Recipe Showdown for desserts and of all things, she did a recipe for Caramelized Roasted Banana Bread Drop Doughnuts!  Hello!  More bananas.  I will make these when I REALLY feel like splurging, because I just don't make fried food, but will for sure make theses doughnuts sometime soon.

Okay, back to today's cookie.  While recently searching through Jenny's banana recipes on her blog, I found THE banana cookie of all banana cookies.  I do like a healthy, oaty, banana cookie, but don't always like how cakey and well, healthy they are in texture and taste.  Jenny's Banana Peanut Butter Cup Cookies are not that way, they are just different, but still have some elements of "healthy" that are great.  I followed Jenny's recipe pretty much the same, except that she used regular sized Reese's peanut butter cups in hers and I just happened to have a bunch of mini cups and used those.   So, here's the recipe as I made them.  Go check out Jenny's on the links I've provided above.  Note--I love peanut butter and chocolate with banana.  If you don't, well, then I think you're bananas!  ha-just kidding

DSCF1717  

Banana Peanut Butter Cup Cookies, by Jenny Flake, Picky Palate, adapted every so slightly

1/2 cup mashed rip banana (I used 2 small)

1/4 cup granulated sugar

1/4 cup brown sugar

1/2 teaspoon vanilla

1 medium egg or 1/2 large egg beaten (I used 2 tablespoons of Egg Beaters w/touch of yolk)

1/4 cup creamy peanut butter (I used Skippy Natural)

3/4 cup whole wheat flour (you can use all purpose, but add an extra 1/4 cup if you do)

1/4 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1/8 teaspoon salt

10 regular sized Reese's Peanut Butter Cups, chopped (I used 14 mini cups, chopped)

1/3 cup additional sugar for rolling

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Cream  together in bowl of electric mixer the mashed banana and the sugars.  Mix in vanilla, egg and peanut butter to combine.

Add the combined flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt and stir just until combined.   Fold in the chopped peanut butter cups.  Don't over mix.

Scoop cookie dough by tablespoonfuls and roll in sugar.  Place onto a parchment or silpat lined baking sheet.  Using the palm of your hand, gently press down the cookies to about 1/2 inch thick.  Bake for 7-10 minutes (I baked mine for 8 1/2 minutes.)  Let cool for a few minutes on baking sheet.  Transfer to a wire rack to cool.  Makes 2 dozen cookies.

DSCF1714 

Love these, thanks Jenny.  Don't know why I didn't make them last May when you posted them.  You gotta try these, People!  In fact, I think one is calling my name right now! ; )

27 comments:

Megan said...

What a delicious combination. I love banana, peanut butter, chocolate - I guess there isn't much I don't like! Great pictures - I wish I could just reach through and grab one!

Anonymous said...

My kids always pick out the banana runts and leave the rest. It annoys the heck out of me.

These sound marvy and delicious.

Sara said...

These look SO good, I love peanut butter cups! I also like how there's whole wheat flour in them, makes them slightly less bad for you :)

Unknown said...

Wish I had had this recipe earlier this week when I had ripe bananas. Mmm! Will try this!

Donna-FFW said...

This sounds like an awesome pairing. I love the combo. Your cookies look fabulous. Just stumbled upon your blog.. glad I did. You have lots of good stuff here!

Elyse said...

Man, do these cookies look gorgeous. Anytime I see Reese's cups in a recipe, I get super excited!! These cookies look thick, chewy, and oh-so flavorful. Can't wait to try them!

Maria said...

I have to make these, they look awesome!!

Sophia Lee said...

omg!! THANK YOU THANKYOU for this recipe! this was EXACTLY what I was looking for! you don't know how much I've been searching for banana cookie recipes that aren't overly cakey and bready! YES! will be making this soon!

zuveena said...

man...yummy...

Clumbsy Cookie said...

I guess you would love the profiterols I've made in the afternoon: caramelized banana with chocolate-pb and toasted coconut ganache. Got eaten before picture taking!
Now the cookies! If they're your favourite chances are I love them as well! You've convinced me, they're probably gonna be made with the pb cups I still have arround from Philly.

test it comm said...

These cookies do sound really good!

Netts Nook said...

Oh what good cookies can't wait to try.

Anonymous said...

wow these are a dream come true! i absolutely love banana cookies (i have a favorite one on my blog), but i've never thought to add peanut butter! which is stupid, because i always have my banana with some peanut butter. can't wait to try these!

Judy said...

Yumm. These look super good. I am definitely a fan of peanut butter and banana.

Amy Franklin said...

I just mixed a batch of these up and think I messed 'em up! I had an extra banana that I wanted to go ahead and use so I tossed it in, but it was so wet that I needed to add more flour...and I just don't think they are going to turn out right. They are in the oven now, so I will let you know...

Leslie said...

mmmm.I think one is calling my name too!

Becky said...

I just so happen to have very ripe bananas ready to be baked into yummy looking cookies.

Stephanie said...

I MUST try these! What a great combination.

Anonymous said...

These look divine! All of my favorite things in one cookie. I am making these for the next festive occasion.

Tanya said...

Oh my, these would be heaven for me. My favorite flavors all wrapped up in one! Come to mama :)

Anonymous said...

Those look AMAZING!!


www.IamBee-Steph.blogspot.com

Jennifer said...

I love banana flavored stuff, too! Especially banana laffy taffy's. Too bad I don't like actual bananas! (except when used in delicious recipes!)
Jennifer

Anonymous said...

Bookmarked! These really aren't all that unhealthy. I can't stop drooling over the pictures either, making these soon.

Megbot said...

Hi - my friend forwarded your page to me. I think you would like this recipe...

http://www.vegetariantimes.com/recipes/10753

I've had them and they are amazing!

Lisa said...

I saw the Recipe Showdown with the Caramelized Roasted Banana Bread Drop Doughnuts and I have been dying to try them, but since I can't get into my kitchen to deep fry, I have to wait on it :( Also, I saw a recipe for peanut butter, chocolate and banana chip cookies on someone's blog and I cannot remember who's it was - I should have bookmarked it because I have a ton of banana chips I need to use!

Having said all that, your cookies are right up my alley! This time I'm bookmarking! Beautifully done and mouth watering!

Unknown said...

OH MY GOODNESS!!!! These are SOOO good. I made them Tuesday for work on Wednesday. There are as close to a healthy cookie as you'll get (I think) without tasting healthy.

Valerie said...

I just made these last night and they are all gone and I already want to make more!! Thanks for the great recipe.