Banana Cookies

Ingredients

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup butter, softened
• 3/4 cup granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 ripe bananas, mashed
• 1/2 cup chopped walnuts, optional

Directions

1. Heat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Prepare a baking sheet by greasing it or covering it with parchment paper.
2. Place the bananas in a medium bowl and crush them with a fork until they are smooth. Add the vanilla extract and eggs, then stir until the mixture comes together.
3. In a large bowl, beat the butter with the sugar until the mixture looks pale and fluffy. Pour in the banana mixture and stir until everything is blended.
4. In another bowl, whisk the salt, baking soda, and flour together. Add the dry mixture to the wet mixture a little at a time, stirring just until no dry streaks remain. If using the chopped walnuts, fold them in now.
5. Spoon mounds of dough onto the prepared baking sheet, leaving about 2 inches between them. Bake for 12-15 minutes, until the edges are golden brown and the centers look set. Leave the cookies on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then move them to a wire rack to finish cooling.