Every year around the holidays, I like to post a recipe (or two) that’s a little higher in fat than my normal fare. Last year it was Double Layer Pumpkin Cheesecake and the year before it was Eggnog Cheesecake.
This year I’m departing from the cheesecake theme to bring you a treat that’s higher in fat than most of my desserts yet still contains no processed oils or margarine. Peanut butter provides the flavor in these cookies, but it also provides the fat that makes their texture much more like “regular” cookies than low-fat cookies. Mashed banana substitutes for margarine and imparts a distinctive flavor–and natural sweetness–of its own.
The result is a cookie that’s slightly crisp on the outside, moist and tender on the inside. Throw in the optional chocolate chips and you have a healthier treat that’s good enough to serve at your next holiday party; don’t mention they’re low-fat, and no one will guess!
E loved these cookies, both with and without chocolate chips, and gave them 5 out of 5 crumbs on her new rating scale. They’re especially delicious served with soy nog or Pumpkin Spice Silk.
Lower-Fat Peanut Butter Banana Cookies
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup natural peanut butter chunky or smooth
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 cup vegan sugar
- 3/4 cup mashed banana
- 1 cup unbleached flour
- 1/2 cup whole wheat pastry flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 pinch salt
- 1/4 cup non-dairy chocolate chips optional
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper or a silicon baking mat.
- Cream together the peanut butter and sugars. Add the mashed banana and mix until creamy.
- In a separate bowl, combine the flours, baking powder, and salt. Add the flour mixture to the peanut butter a little at a time until totally absorbed. Add the chocolate chips, if desired, and mix until well-blended, but do not over-mix.
- Drop by rounded tablespoons onto prepared pans, about 2 inches apart. Flatten with a fork dipped in water. (These cookies will not spread as they cook, so the shape they’re in when they come out of the oven will be about the same as when they went in.) Bake for about 10 minutes, until bottoms are golden brown. Remove and let cool before serving.
Notes
Nutritional info is approximate.
Aunty Batty Betty
May 5, 2013 at 4:22 amHi
Instead of sugar (I’m trying t cut sugar out) can a date paste be used instead?
Susan Voisin
May 5, 2013 at 8:52 amI’m sure it’s possible, but you’ll have to experiment with how much of it and the other ingredients to use to get the right moisture balance because I haven’t tried it.
Art Scott
June 18, 2013 at 4:13 pmThese are delicious, thank you 🙂
Esther J
August 8, 2013 at 1:06 pmI made these this morning following the recipe, except for the chocolate chips and (as usual with your recipes) they turned out wonderful! Later, as I rummaged through the cupboards I found I HAD chocolate chips all along. Drat! That would’ve knocked them out the park.
Oh well, I suppose there’s always next time.
Thanks, Susan!
Kathryn
December 13, 2016 at 1:56 pmAbsolutely delicious. I adjusted this recipe for Christmas as follows; Omitted the chocolate chips, used reduced fat peanut butter (health reasons), increased the a/p flour by 1/2 cup, added 1 tsp vanilla with the banana addition. After mixing the dough, I refrigerated about 20 minutes. I formed the dough into small balls and rolled in granulated sugar and pressed a chocolate kiss into the center. I increased the bake time to about twelve minutes, until golden on bottom. Made about 30 cookies.
Thanks for the inspiration Susan!
Angela
April 5, 2020 at 12:34 pmWow, I love the tweaks you made Kathryn…I’ll definitely be making these again with your adjustments. 🙂
Kathryn
December 13, 2016 at 3:25 pmCorrection, I increased the a/p flour to 1/4 cup, sorry.
Julie
January 3, 2018 at 10:24 amVegan Sugar?
Julie Stutzman
April 29, 2020 at 12:16 amI made these today and they are the best chocolate chip cookies I’ve made in 8 years I’ve been plant based! Thank you, Susan!
Susan Voisin
April 29, 2020 at 10:23 amI’m so happy to hear that, Julie! 💜
Janet Richards
February 13, 2021 at 10:06 amSusan, can you include the sugar content? It isn’t listed in the nutrition facts.
Susan Voisin
February 13, 2021 at 11:11 amI just added it. Note that the new nutrition info includes the chocolate chips.