I love banana bread - really, I do. But I get tired of it. Add walnuts, add chocolate chips... all variations on the theme are good, but they're still the same ol' banana bread.

So, when faced with the intersection of Jeremy needing to bring cookies to an event and my needing to put four bananas to good use within the exceedingly limited window between being very ripe and being compost material, I decided to try something a bit different: Banana Cookies.

This recipe makes a lot of cookies, so it's perfect for large gatherings — like 4th of July barbecues and picnics — or for freezing, so that you're ready the next time unexpected company (or bake sales) drop by.

Old-fashioned, easy-to-make drop cookies, these are great with a cup of coffee, some iced tea, or even sandwiched together with ice cream. They're simple, but they're really good!

Banana Cookies

1-1/2 cups butter, softened
1-1/2 cups sugar
1-1/2 cups brown sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
4 eggs
5-1/2 cups flour
2 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon kosher salt
4 very ripe bananas, mashed

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Lightly grease a baking sheet.

In a large bowl, cream together butter, sugar, brown sugar, vanilla, and cinnamon. Stir in eggs.

Stir together the flour, baking soda, and salt; add half to the batter. Stir in the bananas, then mix in the remaining flour mixture.

Drop batter by generous teaspoonfuls onto the prepared baking sheet. Bake for 12 minutes until set and golden.

Makes 9 dozen cookies.

Mary Bilyeu - a self-proclaimed Food Floozie (named for her blog, which is taking a summer vacation) - writes for AnnArbor.com on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, telling about her adventures in the kitchen. She is also on a mission to find great deals for her Frugal Floozie Friday posts, seeking fabulous food at restaurants on the limited budget of only $5 per person. Feel free to email her with questions, comments, or suggestions: yentamary@gmail.com.

The phrase "You Should Only Be Happy" (written in Hebrew on the stone pictured in this post) comes from Deuteronomy 16:15 and is a wish for all her readers - when you come to visit here, may you always be happy.