Repeat after me...

"Do not bake cookies before dinner. Do not bake cookies before dinner. Do not bake cookies before dinner..."

Today was one of those days.  You know those days when you're just HUNGRY all day?  Not the best day to decide to make a batch of cookies *before* dinner.  I won't tell you how many of these cookies I consumed (I lost count), or how much of the cookie dough I tested (probably illegal)...let's just say,  it wasn't a good idea.

What WAS a good idea, though, was this recipe.  Whenever anyone asks what my favorite kind of cookie is, I don't hesitate.  I always answer "chocolate chip."  But...if you were to have asked me at 7:34 this evening, I would have answered "Banana Nut Cookies."

These cookies combine the best of both worlds....banana bread and cookies.  

Heck, I'm perfectly ok with you slathering them with butter.  (I'm so glad I didn't think of that as I was inhaling them earlier.)

If you're into cookies for breakfast (and if you are, I like you so much), these make the ideal candidates. 


Banana Nut Cookies
{makes about 50 cookies}

2 & 1/4 cups unbleached, all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon coarse salt
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
1/3 cup shortening
1 cup sugar
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla bean paste (or extract)
1 cup mashed bananas
1/2 cup chopped pecans

Preheat oven to 350.   Line 2 cookie sheets with parchment paper.

Whisk the flour, baking powder, salt, baking soda, and nutmeg together.  Set aside.

With an electric mixer, cream together the shortening and sugar.  Add in the eggs and vanilla bean paste; mix well.

Beat in half of the bananas, then half of the flour mixture.  Repeat.  Stir in the pecans.

Scoop 2 teaspoon dollops (I use a 2-teaspoon cookie scoop) onto the prepared pans.  Bake for 10 minutes or until the tops bounce back when lightly pressed.


Cool on the sheets for 1-2 minutes, then remove to a cooling rack to cool completely.

{adapted from a sweet vintage cookbook, Cooking for Young Homemakers, copyright 1959}


Do not make until AFTER you've eaten dinner.  The end.