Banana Cream Cheese Cookies
These banana cream cheese cookies are soft, moist, and filled with a luscious cream cheese center, bringing nostalgia and comfort with every bite.
Ingredients
For the Cream Cheese Filling
- 12 ounces cream cheese, room temperature Make sure it’s softened to ensure a smooth filling.
- 1/2 cup confectioners' sugar This fine sugar gives the cream cheese filling the sweetness it needs.
- 1 large banana, mashed Choose a ripe banana for the best flavor.
For the Cookie Dough
- 2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour A staple for structure.
- 1 teaspoon baking soda To help the cookies rise.
- 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt Balances the sweetness.
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened Use high-quality butter for the best flavor.
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar To sweeten the cookie dough.
- 1/4 cup light brown sugar, packed Adds moisture and caramel flavor.
- 1 large egg, room temperature For binding the ingredients together.
- 1 large egg yolk, room temperature This extra yolk gives richness.
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract A classic flavor enhancer.
- 1/2 cup strawberries, washed and finely diced Optional, for a refreshing twist.
Instructions
Preparation of Cream Cheese Filling
- Line a plate with parchment paper. In a medium bowl, cream the cream cheese, confectioners' sugar, and mashed banana until smooth and creamy — about 2-3 minutes. Drop 20 portions of the mixture onto the lined plate, shaping them into small balls. Freeze for 1 hour.
Making the Cookie Dough
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt.
- In another bowl, cream the softened butter with granulated and brown sugar until light and fluffy (approximately 4-5 minutes).
- Add the egg, egg yolk, and vanilla extract, mixing until fully incorporated.
- Gradually mix in the dry ingredients until a soft dough forms. Gently fold in the chopped strawberries, if using.
Assembling the Cookies
- Using a spoon or cookie scoop, drop portions of cookie dough onto the lined baking sheet and flatten each into disks.
- Take a frozen cream cheese ball and place it in the center of a cookie disk, covering it with another disk of dough and sealing the edges tightly.
Baking
- Bake in the preheated oven for 16-18 minutes, or until the cookies are just golden on the edges.
- Remove from the oven and let them cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
Notes
Make sure to keep an eye on them while they bake! They go from perfect to overbaked quite quickly. Sprinkle a bit of sea salt on top before baking for a delightful sweet-savory flavor.