Crumbl Banana Bread Cookies with Cream Cheese Glaze: A Bakery-Style Cookie Worth Baking at Home

Few flavors trigger nostalgia quite like banana bread. Warm, comforting, and gently sweet, it’s the kind of bake that feels familiar and indulgent at the same time. Now imagine everything you love about classic banana bread—moist crumb, rich banana flavor, hints of vanilla and cinnamon—transformed into a thick, soft, bakery-style cookie and finished with a silky cream cheese glaze. That’s exactly what Crumbl Banana Bread Cookies with Cream Cheese Glaze deliver.

These cookies are inspired by the iconic Crumbl-style desserts people line up for every week. They’re oversized, ultra-soft, and designed to feel indulgent without being overly sweet. Instead of crunchy edges or thin centers, these cookies bake up plush and tender, almost cake-like, with a texture that mirrors banana bread more than a traditional cookie.

What truly sets them apart is the balance. The banana flavor is natural and pronounced without tasting artificial, the cookie base stays moist for days, and the cream cheese glaze adds a tangy contrast that keeps every bite interesting. Whether you’re baking for a weekend treat, a holiday dessert table, or a make-ahead sweet for busy weeks, this recipe fits beautifully into almost any occasion.

Unlike many copycat recipes that rely on shortcuts or boxed mixes, this version is completely homemade. It uses simple pantry staples and ripe bananas to create that signature bakery flavor while keeping the process approachable for home bakers of all skill levels.

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Why These Banana Bread Cookies Work So Well

Banana-based baked goods can be tricky. Too much banana can make them dense or gummy, while too little leaves the flavor flat. This recipe strikes the perfect balance by using well-mashed ripe bananas combined with brown sugar and butter to lock in moisture without weighing down the dough.

The cookie dough is intentionally soft and slightly thick, allowing the cookies to bake up tall and tender rather than spreading thin. Baking powder gives just enough lift to mimic banana bread’s crumb, while cinnamon enhances the banana flavor without overpowering it.

The cream cheese glaze is smooth, pourable, and lightly sweetened. Instead of frosting the cookies heavily, the glaze gently cascades over the tops, soaking slightly into the warm cookies for a bakery-style finish that looks as good as it tastes.

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Ingredients

Banana Bread Cookies

• All-purpose flour
• Baking powder
• Baking soda
• Salt
• Ground cinnamon
• Unsalted butter, softened
• Brown sugar, packed
• Granulated sugar
• Ripe bananas, mashed
• Large egg
• Vanilla extract

Cream Cheese Glaze

• Cream cheese, softened
• Unsalted butter, softened
• Powdered sugar
• Vanilla extract
• Milk or cream

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Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
2. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon. Set aside.
3. In a large mixing bowl, cream the softened butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until light and fluffy.
4. Add the egg and vanilla extract, mixing until fully incorporated.
5. Stir in the mashed bananas until the mixture is smooth and well blended.
6. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing just until a soft dough forms.
7. Scoop large portions of dough onto prepared baking sheets, spacing them apart. Gently flatten the tops slightly.
8. Bake for 12–15 minutes, until the cookies are set and lightly golden around the edges.
9. Allow cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack.
10. To make the glaze, beat cream cheese and butter until smooth. Add powdered sugar and vanilla, then mix in milk until pourable.
11. Spoon or drizzle glaze over cooled cookies and allow it to set before serving.

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Tips for Bakery-Style Results

• Use very ripe bananas with brown spots for the strongest flavor.
• Do not overmix the dough; this keeps the cookies soft and tender.
• Slightly underbaking ensures a moist, banana-bread-like center.
• Let cookies cool before glazing to prevent the glaze from melting completely.

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Variations and Add-Ins

• Add chopped walnuts or pecans for texture.
• Sprinkle cinnamon sugar on top before baking for extra warmth.
• Swap the glaze for a thicker cream cheese frosting for a dessert-style finish.
• Add mini chocolate chips for a banana-chocolate twist.

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Serving Suggestions

These cookies are perfect served slightly warm with coffee, tea, or milk. They work beautifully on dessert platters, brunch tables, or as a make-ahead sweet treat for busy weeks. Because of their soft texture, they’re also ideal for gifting or packing into lunchboxes.

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Storage and Make-Ahead Tips

Store glazed cookies in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. For best texture, allow cookies to come to room temperature before serving. Unglazed cookies can be frozen for up to 2 months.

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Why This Recipe Is a Crowd Favorite

Crumbl-style cookies are known for being indulgent, oversized, and comforting. This recipe captures that essence while remaining practical for home bakers. The familiar banana bread flavor paired with a soft cookie texture and tangy glaze makes this dessert approachable, nostalgic, and consistently impressive.