2010 Cookie Contest: Banana Nugget Cookies

Submitted by Dana Lovins

"I have eaten this cookie all my life. It means 'home' to me. I remember my mother baking this cookie whenever we had leftover bananas. My brother and I would hide 3-4 bananas just so no one would eat them so we could get these cookies! It's one of the first cookies I taught my own children how to bake since they loved them so much. I have a very special friend who at Christmas always gets a batch left on her door step from Santa."

1 1/2 cups flour

1 cup sugar

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon nutmeg

3/4 teaspoon cinnamon

3/4 cup shortening

1 egg, well beaten

1 cup mashed overripe bananas

1 3/4 cup quick oats

1 package chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Sift together first seven ingredients in a large bowl; cut in shortening. Add egg, mashed bananas, and oats. Mix well. Stir in chocolate chips. Drop by spoonfuls on to an ungreased cookie sheet. Bake for 12 to 15 minutes. Store in an airtight container to keep moist.