Chocolate Chip Banana Oatmeal Cookies:

Funny as it may sound, these taste far more like Banana Chocolate Chip Muffins, than a cookie.

They have the texture of a cookie and look like a cookie, but taste like a muffin (I wonder if that means they are more like a breakfast item, than a snack? I'll be working on that one)! They're pretty awesome!

They were so fast and easy to whip up, too!

I hope you have some over ripe bananas on your counter right now, so you can try them!!!

1 & 1/2 cups Flour
1 tsp. xanthan gum
1 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. baking soda
3/4 cup butter, softened but not melted
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 egg
1 & 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
1/2 cup mashed ripe banana (about 1 large)
1 cup old-fashioned rolled oats
2 cups chocolate chips

In a small bowl, whisk together flour, xanthan gum, salt and soda; set aside. In a mixing bowl, cream together butter and sugars until light and fluffy. Add egg and vanilla and mix well. Add banana and mix well. Add flour mixture and mix until well combined. Stir in the oats and chocolate chips. Using a cookie baller, drop onto cookie sheets leaving about 2 inches between each ball. Bake at 375 degrees for 12-15 minutes or until golden brown. Place on wire rack to cool (or devour while hot.....the choice is completely yours). Store in an airtight container.

Note:
-The easiest, mess free way to mash a banana: Cut the banana into chunks and place in a zip-lock bag. Remove all the air and seal tightly. Now squish, squish, squish with your hands all over the bag until the banana is as mashed as you want. Then, snip off the corner of the bag with a pair of scissors and simply squeeze the banana into whatever you want. Throw the bag in the trash when you're finished!!!
-These cookies freeze very well.