Banana Oatmeal Cookies with Vanilla Frosting

Do you always make banana bread with your over ripe bananas?  

You should switch things up a bit and make these cookies!

They were so good!

Both kids and adults will love these.

I found these cookies over at Chef-In-Training and she got this recipe from her Grandmother, so that tells you this is a tried-and-true recipe.  Grandma's recipes are always the BEST.  

I made some plain ones, some frosted ones and some with chocolate chips.  I absolutely loved both the plain ones and the ones with frosting, but I didn't care too much for the chocolate chip ones.  So, stick to the original recipe and I know these will become a new family favorite.

Banana Cookies

adapted from: Chef-In-Training 

(Printable Recipe)

1 1/2 c. all-purpose flour

1 c. sugar

1/2 tsp. baking soda

1/2 tsp. salt

1/4 tsp. nutmeg

3/4 tsp. cinnamon

3/4 c. shortening

2 ripe bananas, mashed

1 egg

1 3/4 c. quick oats

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.  Sift together dry ingredients; cut in shortening.  After shortening is completely cut in, add bananas, egg and oats.  Stir together until combined.  Spoon drops onto a cookie sheet and bake 8-10 minutes.  

Frosting:

3/4 c. (1 1/2 sticks) butter, softened

1-3 Tbl. milk

2 tsp. vanilla

4 c. powdered sugar

pinch of salt

Whip butter until fluffy.  Gradually add the powdered sugar.  Add enough milk to reach desired consistency.  Add the vanilla and salt and mix until combined.  Spread over cooled cookies. 

Jenn's Notes: If you don't want the frosting, I thought these were delicious plain.  I loved the flavor and the texture of these.  I think I got around 36 cookies from a full batch.  I baked mine for 11-12 minutes and they were perfect.  I have not tried this, but some people have said they used applesauce instead of the shortening and they turned out great.