These cookies offer a perfect balance of sweetness and depth, with optional toasted coconut and chocolate chips adding texture and richness. Topping with fresh banana slices and a sprinkling of sugar before baking adds a touch of elegance and extra banana flavour, making these cookies not only delicious but visually appealing.
Ingredients:
- 1 1/3 cups (7 1/2 ounces; 212g) all purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon Diamond Crystal Kosher Salt; if using table salt, use half the amount by volume
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 10 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
- 3 bananas, halved crosswise and halved lengthwise
- 1 1/4 cups packaged light brown sugar (8 3/4 ounces; 250g)
- 1 large egg, lightly beaten
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup (60g) packaged sweetened desiccated coconut, toasted, optional (see notes)
- 1/2 cup (85g) dark or milk chocolate chips, optional
For the cookie topping (optional):
- 16 banana slices, cut 1/8 inch thin (from 1 banana)
- 1 tablespoon granulated sugar to dust over banana slices
- 1 inch coarsely chopped chocolate chunks
Method:
Preheat the oven to 175°C (350°F). Line two baking sheets with baking paper.
In a bowl, whisk together the flour, kosher salt and baking powder.
In a saucepan, melt 8 tablespoons of the butter over medium heat. Cook, swirling the pan occasionally, until the butter is golden brown and smells nutty. Remove from the heat and transfer to a large mixing bowl.
Add the halved bananas to the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter in the pan and cook over a medium heat until caramelised.
Add the brown sugar, egg, vanilla extract and cooked bananas to the caramelised butter. Whisk until well combined.
Stir in dry ingredients until just combined. Fold in toasted coconut and chocolate chips if using.
Drop the mixture by the spoonful onto the baking trays.
If desired, press banana slices onto each cookie and sprinkle with granulated sugar. Scatter chocolate chips on top.
Bake for 12-15 minutes or until the edges are golden brown.
Leave the cookies to cool for 5 minutes on the baking sheet before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
