Banana Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Cookies

I'm always on the lookout for good recipes to use up those old bananas, because no matter how many I buy I always seem to end up with a couple that start to get brown.  One of my favorites is banana cocoa bars, which I posted here.  This new recipe is one I've adapted, which I love because I can make these cookies with whatever I happen to have on hand.  At the end I'll give some great suggestions for alternative add ins to give a completely different, but equally yummy, cookie.


Banana Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Cookies

6 tbsp. butter or margarine, softened
1 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1 egg
1 tsp. vanilla extract
3/4 cup all purpose or whole wheat flour
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. cinnamon
3 1/2 cups rolled or quick cook oats
1 cup ripe bananas, mashed (about 2)
1 cup chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 350* F.  Grease cookie sheets or spray with no-stick cooking spray.  In medium bowl, cream butter and sugars.  Stir in egg and vanilla.  In another bowl, combine flour, soda and cinnamon.  Stir into wet mixture just until combined.  Stir in oats, bananas and chocolate chips.  Drop by heaping tablespoons onto cookie sheets.  Bake 10-12 minutes.  Allow to cool for a minute before removing cookies from sheets.

Perfect for an afternoon or bedtime snack!

Alternatives:
Substitute one 8-oz. can crushed pineapple for bananas and shredded coconut for chocolate chips.

Substitute applesauce for bananas and dried cranberries or cherries for chocolate chips.

Substitute raisins and chopped walnuts for chocolate chips.

Or try your own combo and let me know what your favorite is!

From RobinsFlight's kitchen to yours, enjoy!