Indulge Guilt-Free: Delicious Double Chocolate Peanut Butter Banana Cookies (1 SmartPoint Each!)
Have you ever found yourself caught in that delightful yet dangerous dilemma? Your taste buds are screaming for the ultimate trio: rich chocolate, creamy peanut butter, and the comforting chewiness of a homemade cookie. It’s a craving that’s hard to ignore, but often, it comes hand-in-hand with a hefty dose of guilt, especially when you’re striving to maintain a balanced and healthy lifestyle. The good news? You no longer have to choose between satisfying your sweet tooth and staying on track!
I understand that feeling perfectly, which is why I set out to create a recipe that delivers on all fronts. Introducing these incredibly delicious Double Chocolate Peanut Butter Banana Cookies! They are designed to cure those intense cravings with every soft, moist, and wonderfully chocolatey bite, all while being remarkably light. Each cookie is just 1 SmartPoint, making them an absolute game-changer for anyone following a Weight Watchers plan or simply seeking a healthier alternative to traditional indulgent desserts. Not only are they quick and easy to whip up, but they also freeze beautifully, allowing you to have a healthy treat ready whenever a craving strikes. You can even break them up and sprinkle them over your morning yogurt or oatmeal for a sweet, nutritious topping!
Why These Healthy Cookies Are Your New Go-To Treat
These aren’t just any cookies; they are a celebration of flavor that proves healthy eating doesn’t mean sacrificing enjoyment. Here’s a detailed look at why these double chocolate peanut butter banana cookies are destined to become a staple in your kitchen:
- Truly Guilt-Free Indulgence: At an impressive 1 SmartPoint per cookie (or approximately 31 calories), these treats allow you to indulge without any remorse. They provide the perfect solution for managing those intense chocolate and peanut butter cravings in a way that aligns with your healthy lifestyle goals. Enjoy one, two, or even three without feeling like you’ve completely derailed your day!
- Explosion of Flavor: The combination of rich, unsweetened cocoa powder, delightful mini chocolate chips, smooth light peanut butter, and the natural sweetness of ripe bananas creates an exquisite flavor profile. The bananas act as a natural sweetener, significantly reducing the need for excessive added sugars, while still delivering a satisfyingly sweet taste.
- Perfectly Soft and Chewy Texture: Forget dry, crumbly diet cookies. These cookies are wonderfully moist, delightfully soft, and possess a pleasant chewiness that makes every bite a luxurious experience. The mashed banana is key to their tender texture.
- Incredibly Simple and Quick to Prepare: This recipe is a dream for busy individuals or novice bakers. With a handful of common pantry ingredients and minimal steps, you can have a fresh batch of cookies ready in under 20 minutes from start to finish. It’s perfect for those spontaneous cravings or when you need a quick dessert.
- Remarkably Versatile and Freezer-Friendly: Bake a larger batch and enjoy the convenience of having healthy snacks on hand. These cookies freeze exceptionally well! Simply place cooled cookies in a single layer on a baking sheet to freeze solid, then transfer them to a freezer-safe bag or container. They can be stored for up to 2-3 months. Thaw them at room temperature, or warm them gently in the microwave for a fresh-from-the-oven delight. This feature makes them ideal for meal prepping healthy snacks for the week or month ahead.
- A Kid-Friendly Favorite: These cookies are a clever way to incorporate fruit into your children’s diet without them even realizing it! Their appealing flavor and delightful texture mean even the pickiest eaters will eagerly reach for more, making healthy snacking fun for the whole family.
Deep Dive into the Key Ingredients and Smart Substitutions
The secret to these amazing cookies lies in the quality and balance of a few simple, wholesome ingredients. Let’s explore each component and discuss how it contributes to the final delicious product:
- 1 Large Ripe Banana (Mashed): This is truly the foundational ingredient, acting as a natural sweetener, binder, and source of moisture. For the best results, use very ripe bananas – those with abundant brown spots are perfect. Their natural sugars are more developed, providing maximum sweetness and a softer texture for easier mashing. Ensure your banana is mashed thoroughly to achieve a smooth batter, which contributes to a consistent cookie texture.
- 3 Tbsp Light Peanut Butter: The original recipe specifically mentions Kraft light peanut butter, chosen for its lower SmartPoint value. Using a light variety is crucial for keeping these cookies diet-friendly. Peanut butter not only imparts its signature nutty flavor but also helps bind the ingredients together and adds a pleasant richness. If you’re not tracking points, regular peanut butter can be used, but be aware that it will significantly alter the nutritional values. Feel free to experiment with other light nut butters, such as almond or cashew butter, though flavor and texture may vary slightly. (Note: 3 tablespoons of the specified light peanut butter accounts for 8 SmartPoints, which is distributed across 18 cookies.)
- 1/4 cup + 1 Tbsp All-Purpose Flour: A relatively small amount of flour is used to provide structure and prevent the cookies from spreading too much. This minimalist approach helps keep the cookies light. For those with dietary restrictions, a high-quality 1:1 gluten-free baking flour blend could be a suitable substitute, but it’s always recommended to test it first as baking results can differ.
- 1 tsp Vanilla Extract: A staple in most baking, vanilla extract enhances and rounds out the overall flavor profile of the cookies, adding a touch of aromatic warmth and subtle sweetness that complements the chocolate and peanut butter.
- 1 Tbsp Brown Sugar: While bananas provide natural sweetness, a small amount of brown sugar adds an extra layer of sweetness, a hint of caramel-like flavor, and contributes to the soft, slightly chewy texture of the cookies. You can adjust this amount based on the ripeness of your banana and your personal preference for sweetness. For an even lower sugar option, you might try a sugar substitute suitable for baking, but again, this could affect the final texture.
- 1/2 tsp Baking Powder: This leavening agent is essential for creating a light, airy texture. It reacts with the moisture in the batter to produce carbon dioxide gas, which helps the cookies puff up slightly during baking, ensuring they are soft rather than dense.
- 1.5 Tbsp Unsweetened Cocoa Powder: This is where the “double chocolate” element truly shines, delivering a deep, rich chocolate flavor without adding extra sugar. Using unsweetened cocoa powder allows you to control the sweetness of the overall cookie. For an even more intense chocolate flavor, you could try Dutch-processed cocoa powder.
- 1 Tbsp Mini Chocolate Chips: The second part of the “double chocolate” experience! Mini chocolate chips are preferred over regular-sized chips because they distribute more evenly throughout these smaller cookies, ensuring a delightful burst of chocolate in every bite. Dark chocolate mini chips can be a great choice for their rich flavor and typically lower sugar content.
Your Step-by-Step Guide to Baking Perfect Double Chocolate Peanut Butter Banana Cookies
Creating these delightful cookies is a breeze! Follow these straightforward instructions for a batch of perfectly baked, soft, and satisfying treats:
- Preheat and Prepare: Begin by preheating your oven to a steady 350°F (175°C). While the oven heats, take a large baking sheet and lightly spray it with cooking spray. This crucial step prevents the cookies from sticking and ensures they can be easily removed after baking.
- Combine Wet Ingredients: In a spacious mixing bowl, thoroughly mash your ripe banana until it reaches a smooth, almost creamy consistency. A few small lumps are acceptable, but a finer mash will contribute to a more uniform cookie texture. Once mashed, add the light peanut butter and the brown sugar to the bowl. Mix these ingredients vigorously until they are well combined and the mixture is smooth and harmonious.
- Incorporate Dry Ingredients: To the wet mixture, gradually add the all-purpose flour, baking powder, unsweetened cocoa powder, and vanilla extract. Stir gently until all the dry ingredients are just incorporated into the wet mixture. Be mindful not to overmix the dough, as excessive mixing can develop the gluten in the flour, leading to tougher cookies.
- Fold in the Chocolate Chips: Once the base dough is ready, gently fold in the mini chocolate chips. Ensure they are evenly distributed throughout the dough, so every cookie gets its share of chocolatey goodness.
- Portion and Bake: Using a small spoon (a regular teaspoon or a mini cookie scoop works perfectly for consistent sizing), drop rounded spoonfuls of dough onto your prepared baking sheet. Aim to make 18 small cookies, leaving a little space between each to allow for slight spreading. Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake for 12-14 minutes. The cookies are ready when their edges appear set and they feel firm to the touch. Keep in mind that they will still be quite soft directly out of the oven, which is normal for this type of cookie.
- Cool and Serve: Once baked, remove the cookies from the oven and allow them to cool on the baking sheet for approximately 5 minutes. This brief cooling period helps them set further and become easier to handle. After 5 minutes, carefully transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely. This ensures they maintain their shape and develop the perfect soft-chewy texture.
Double chocolate peanut butter banana cookies
Ingredients
- 1 large banana mashed
- 3 Tbsp light peanut butter, I use Kraft light, 3T is 8sp
- 1/4 cup + 1Tbsp flour
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 Tbsp brown sugar
- 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1.5 Tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 Tbsp mini chocolate chips
Instructions
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Preheat oven to 350F, spray a large baking sheet with cooking spray.
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In a bowl mash your banana, mix in your peanut butter and brown sugar.
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Stir in your flour, baking powder, cocoa powder and vanilla.
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Stir in your chocolate chips.
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Drop by small spoon onto baking sheet, bake for 12-14 minutes.
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Makes 18 small cookies at 1 sp each (1pp) Store in fridge for longer keeping, will freeze well.
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Nutritional info per cookie (not incl banana) Calories 31… Fat 1.3g… Saturated fat 0.3g…Carbs 4.3g… Fiber 0.4g… Sugars 1.3g… Protein 0.8g
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*Please note, I do not add points for the banana even though it is mashed, it is up to you if you decide to add points.
Additional Info
Storing Your Delicious Double Chocolate Peanut Butter Banana Cookies
While these cookies are so irresistible they might disappear quickly, if you do manage to have some leftovers, proper storage will keep them fresh and delicious for longer:
- Refrigerator Storage: Due to the fresh banana content, these cookies are best stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator. This method will maintain their freshness and prevent spoilage for 3-4 days. They taste wonderful chilled or brought back to room temperature.
- Freezer Storage: These cookies are excellent candidates for freezing, making them perfect for meal prep or simply having a healthy treat on demand. Once completely cooled, arrange the cookies in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze until solid. Then, transfer them to a freezer-safe bag or container, separating layers with parchment paper to prevent sticking. They can be stored in the freezer for up to 2-3 months. To enjoy, simply thaw them at room temperature for an hour or two, or gently warm them in the microwave for a few seconds for that warm, soft-baked experience.
- Creative Serving Suggestions: Beyond enjoying them as a standalone treat, these cookies are incredibly versatile. Crumble them over a bowl of plain or vanilla Greek yogurt for an added burst of flavor and texture, mix them into your morning oatmeal, or even use them as a healthier topping for a low-calorie ice cream or smoothie bowl.
A Quick Note on Weight Watchers SmartPoints and Nutritional Information
One of the most appealing aspects of this recipe is how well it fits into healthy eating plans like Weight Watchers. Each cookie is estimated to be just 1 SmartPoint. It’s important to keep in mind that point calculations can sometimes vary slightly based on the specific brands of ingredients you choose (especially for light peanut butter) and the current Weight Watchers program you are following. For the most accurate personal calculation, I always recommend checking your specific ingredients.
The original recipe creator also provided a helpful clarification regarding the points assigned to the banana. While some Weight Watchers programs may assign points to mashed fruit, this recipe does not include points for the banana itself in the overall cookie calculation. This is typically because fresh fruits, even when mashed, are often considered zero-point foods on many Weight Watchers plans. If your personal plan requires you to count mashed banana, please make the necessary adjustments to your point total accordingly. The provided nutritional information per cookie (excluding the banana’s contribution, to align with the SmartPoints philosophy) is as follows:
- Calories: 31
- Fat: 1.3g
- Saturated Fat: 0.3g
- Carbs: 4.3g
- Fiber: 0.4g
- Sugars: 1.3g
- Protein: 0.8g
This detailed breakdown clearly highlights how these cookies are a wonderfully light, yet incredibly satisfying, option for managing your sweet cravings without compromising your dietary goals.
Ready to Bake Your Way to a Guilt-Free Treat?
It’s time to banish deprivation from your vocabulary and welcome deliciousness into your healthy lifestyle! These Double Chocolate Peanut Butter Banana Cookies offer the perfect solution for enjoying your favorite indulgent flavors without any of the typical drawbacks. They are quick to prepare, incredibly simple, unbelievably tasty, and serve as a fantastic, smart option for any snack or dessert occasion.
Don’t hesitate any longer to whip up a batch of these delightful cookies. Whether you plan to share them with loved ones, keep them stashed away for a personal treat, or use them to elevate your breakfast yogurt, these cookies are guaranteed to become a cherished addition to your recipe repertoire. Go ahead, enjoy the sweet satisfaction!