Frosted Banana Cookies

This recipe comes from the Worlwide Ward Cookbook, and they are fabulous! They are banana bread in a cookie form with a sweet cream cheese frosting to top them off. What could be better!?! I love banana bread, banana cake (which I will be posting soon), banana muffins (another post for another day), and I love these banana cookies. These cookies are so soft and chewy... I couldn't stop eating them! I shared them with neighbors and friends who helped me when I had my baby recently, of which is not so recent anymore! This is a great way to use up ripe bananas. Never throw out your old bananas because they aren't getting used ... peel, and put them in a ziploc and place them in the freezer until you are ready to use them. When you are ready to use them, defrost them and mash them right in the bag.

Frosted Banana Cookies
WorldWide Ward Cookbook / Minda Kjar

Cookies:
1/2 cup butter
1/2 cup butter-flavored shortening
1 cup sugar
1 cup ripe bananas, mashed (about 3)
2 eggs
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1/2 cup buttermilk or 1/2 cup milk + 1 tsp. lemon juice
1 1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt
3 1/4 cups flour

Cream Cheese Frosting:
1/2 cup butter, softened
4 oz. cream cheese, softened
2 cups powdered sugar
1 Tbsp. vanilla extract

Cream the butter and shortening. Add sugar, then bananas. Mix well. Stir in eggs and vanilla. Blend in buttermilk. Add the dry ingredients until just combined. Do not over-beat. It will be a sticky batter. Drop by tablespoons onto a greased cookie sheet. Bake at 350 degrees for 9-12 minutes. Cool completely.

Cream the butter and cream cheese. Add powdered sugar and vanilla. Beat until fluffy. Spread on cookies.

Makes 3-4 dozen cookies.

Congrats to my Sister who welcomed her #4 BOY into their home this week! Best of Luck Rach, and get some rest! Love ya baby Cooper! Your Favorite Auntie Sara will be there soon to meet you! Love ya Rach!