The Kitchn: Go bananas for chocolate chunk cookies
Chocolate chunks, chopped walnuts and banana chips -- once I got the idea in my head to make a cookie version of Ben & Jerry's Chunky Monkey ice cream, I couldn't stop obsessing. With all the ingredients in my cupboard, why prolong the inevitable?
Since "chunky" is our aim with these cookies, hand-mixing is our game. I've discovered over the course of making a great many cookies that cookies spread less and stay chunkier when mixed by hand than when using a mixer. (This said, if you prefer to use a mixer, that's fine; your cookies will probably spread a little more, but they'll still be tasty.)
The banana chips give these cookies an occasional surprise of banana flavor and an interesting crunchiness, but don't overwhelm the cookies with banana flavor. I like this balance, but if you love banana flavor, then add a dash of banana extract to amp it up a bit. Look for banana chips in bulk bins or with the dried fruit (I found mine at Trader Joe's). Banana extract can be found at most kitchen supply stores or online.
Chunky Monkey Cookies
Makes about 36 cookies
3/4 cup walnuts
3/4 cup granulated sugar
3/4 cup packed brown sugar
8 tablespoons (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
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