This banana-shaped cookie is garnished with homemade frosting, a chocolate drizzle and nuts and cherries. It really looks like a banana split.
—TASTE OF HOME TEST KITCHEN
PREP: 40 MIN. • BAKE: 10 MIN./BATCH + COOLING • MAKES: 5 DOZEN
1/2 cup butter, softened
6 tablespoons sugar
6 tablespoons packed brown sugar
1 large egg
1 medium ripe banana, mashed
1/4 cup sour cream
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup (6 ounces) semisweet chocolate chips
6 tablespoons chopped walnuts
1/4 cup dried cherries, chopped
BUTTERCREAM FROSTING
1/3 cup butter, softened
3 cups confectioners’ sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3 to 4 tablespoons 2% milk
GLAZE
1/3 cup butter, cubed
2 ounces unsweetened chocolate
2 cups confectioners’ sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
3 to 6 tablespoons hot water
10 red candied cherries, chopped
2 tablespoons chopped walnuts
1. In a large bowl, cream butter and sugars until light and fluffy. Beat in the egg, banana, sour cream and vanilla. Combine the flour, baking soda and salt; gradually add to creamed mixture and mix well. Fold in the chocolate chips, walnuts and dried cherries.
2. Place dough in a heavy-duty resealable plastic bag; cut a 3/4-in. hole in one corner of bag. Pipe 2-in. strips about 2 in. apart onto greased baking sheets. Bake at 375° for 6-8 minutes or until lightly browned. Remove to wire racks.
3. In a large bowl, cream butter until light and fluffy. Beat in the confectioners’ sugar, vanilla and enough milk to achieve desired consistency. Pipe three mounds over each cookie.
4. For the glaze, in a small saucepan, combine butter and chocolate. Cook and stir over low heat until smooth. Remove from the heat. Stir in the confectioners’ sugar, vanilla and enough water to achieve a drizzling consistency. Drizzle over tops; sprinkle with candied cherries and chopped walnuts.