Crumbl Banana Bread Cookies with Cream Cheese Glaze
Soft, bakery-style banana cookies inspired by the iconic Crumbl favorite
There’s something deeply comforting about banana bread. It’s nostalgic, cozy, and instantly makes a kitchen feel warmer the moment it hits the oven. Now imagine all that familiar banana bread flavor—but transformed into thick, soft, bakery-style cookies and finished with a silky cream cheese glaze. That’s exactly what these Crumbl Banana Bread Cookies with Cream Cheese Glaze deliver.
These cookies are inspired by the oversized, indulgent style Crumbl is famous for, but made right at home with simple ingredients and foolproof steps. They’re tender and cake-like in the center, lightly crisp around the edges, and packed with real banana flavor. The cream cheese glaze takes them over the top, adding a tangy sweetness that balances the warm spices beautifully.
Whether you’re baking for a weekend treat, a fall dessert table, or just to use up ripe bananas sitting on your counter, this recipe is one you’ll come back to again and again.
Why These Banana Bread Cookies Are So Special
Banana bread cookies aren’t just cookies with banana added—they’re a hybrid dessert that borrows the best qualities from both worlds. These cookies:
- Have a soft, fluffy crumb like banana bread
- Stay moist for days thanks to mashed bananas
- Feature warm spices that feel cozy and familiar
- Are topped with a luxurious cream cheese glaze, not frosting-heavy but perfectly balanced
Unlike traditional banana cookies that can bake up flat or gummy, these are designed to stay thick and bakery-style, just like the famous Crumbl versions.
Ingredients
For the Banana Bread Cookies
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon nutmeg
- ¼ teaspoon cloves (optional, but adds depth)
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- ¾ cup brown sugar, packed
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¾ cup mashed ripe bananas
For the Cream Cheese Glaze
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1½ cups powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2–3 tablespoons cream or milk
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves. Set aside.
- In a large mixing bowl, cream the butter and brown sugar together until light and fluffy.
- Add the egg and vanilla extract, mixing until fully combined.
- Stir in the mashed bananas until smooth.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients, mixing gently just until incorporated. Do not overmix.
- Scoop dough onto prepared baking sheets, spacing cookies about 2 inches apart. Gently flatten each scoop slightly.
- Bake for 12–15 minutes, until the cookies are set and lightly golden around the edges.
- Allow cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
- For the glaze, beat butter, powdered sugar, and vanilla together until smooth. Add cream gradually until drizzle consistency is reached.
- Spoon or drizzle glaze over cooled cookies. Let set before serving.
Crumbl Banana Bread Cookies with Cream Cheese Glaze
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves.
- Cream butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy. Add egg and vanilla extract.
- Mix in mashed bananas until combined.
- Add dry ingredients gradually, mixing just until combined.
- Scoop dough onto baking sheets, spacing 2 inches apart. Flatten slightly.
- Bake 12–15 minutes until set and lightly golden. Cool completely.
- Beat glaze ingredients until smooth and drizzle over cooled cookies.
Notes
Texture and Flavor Breakdown
These cookies are intentionally soft—almost muffin-like—without being crumbly. The banana provides natural sweetness and moisture, while brown sugar adds caramel undertones. Cinnamon and nutmeg bring warmth, and the cream cheese glaze adds a cool, tangy finish that keeps the cookies from tasting overly sweet.
Pro Tips for Bakery-Style Results
- Use very ripe bananas with brown spots for the best flavor
- Don’t overmix once the flour is added to keep cookies tender
- Slightly underbake for ultra-soft centers
- Let cookies cool fully before glazing so the glaze sets beautifully
Variations You’ll Love
- Walnut Banana Bread Cookies: Add ½ cup chopped walnuts
- Chocolate Chip Banana Cookies: Fold in mini chocolate chips
- Maple Glaze Twist: Replace vanilla with maple extract in the glaze
- Spiced Autumn Version: Add a pinch of ginger or allspice
Serving Suggestions
These cookies are perfect served slightly warm or at room temperature. Pair them with:
- Hot coffee or chai
- Cold milk
- A fall dessert spread
- Brunch tables or bake sales
They’re also great for gifting—just pack them in a bakery box with parchment paper.
Storage Tips
- Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days
- Refrigerate for up to 5 days due to the cream cheese glaze
- Freeze unglazed cookies for up to 2 months
Fun Banana Bread Fact
Banana bread became wildly popular during the Great Depression as home bakers looked for ways to use overripe bananas instead of wasting food. These cookies are a modern twist on that classic resourceful dessert—still comforting, still practical, just a lot more indulgent.
Final Thoughts
If you love soft cookies, banana bread, or Crumbl-inspired treats, these Crumbl Banana Bread Cookies with Cream Cheese Glaze are guaranteed to become a favorite. They’re cozy, bakery-worthy, and incredibly satisfying—everything a homemade dessert should be.
