Savor Ina Garten’s Dreamy Banana Nut Bread Recipe Today

Banana nut bread with Ina Garten’s touch brings warmth to any kitchen, promising a delightful twist on a classic comfort food.

Her carefully crafted recipe turns simple ingredients into a mouthwatering treat that sparks joy with every slice.

Ripe bananas mingle with toasted nuts, creating a rich and aromatic experience that feels like a gentle hug.

The blend of wholesome flavors develops a deeply satisfying texture that melts in your mouth.

Soft, tender, and packed with nuanced sweetness, this bread offers a nostalgic yet refined approach to a beloved breakfast staple.

Each bite tells a story of culinary expertise and home-baked love.

Get ready to fill your kitchen with an irresistible aroma that will have everyone eagerly waiting by the oven.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 1 hour

Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes

Calories: 320 kcal

Servings: 8

What’s Inside Ina Garten Banana Nut Bread

• All-Purpose Flour: The foundation of the bread, providing structure and texture with its gluten-rich composition.
• Pecans: Adds delightful crunch and nutty depth, bringing warmth and rustic charm to each slice.
• Granulated Sugar: Sweetens the bread and helps create a golden, tender crumb.
• Baking Soda: Ensures perfect rising and a light, airy texture by creating gentle air pockets.
• Ground Cinnamon: Introduces a warm, aromatic spice that complements the banana's natural sweetness.
• Salt: Enhances overall flavor and balances the sweetness of the bread.
• Ground Nutmeg: Provides a subtle, earthy warmth that elevates the bread's complexity.

• Eggs: Bind ingredients together and contribute to the bread's rich, smooth consistency.
• Unsalted Butter: Adds moisture, richness, and a luxurious mouthfeel to the banana bread.
• Buttermilk: Creates tenderness and a subtle tanginess, helping activate the baking soda.
• Brown Sugar: Introduces deeper caramel notes and extra moisture to the bread.
• Vanilla Extract: Brings a sophisticated, aromatic sweetness that enhances all other flavors.

• Ripe Bananas: The star ingredient, providing natural sweetness, moisture, and a creamy texture.

Baking Equipment for Ina Garten Banana Nut Bread

• 9×5-inch loaf pan: Essential for baking the banana bread, ensuring the perfect shape and size.
• Large mixing bowl: Ideal for combining dry ingredients with ease and precision.
• Medium mixing bowl: Perfect for whisking wet ingredients and creating a smooth banana mixture.
• Whisk: Crucial for blending ingredients thoroughly and avoiding lumps.
• Measuring cups and spoons: Necessary for accurate ingredient measurements.
• Toothpick: Used to check the bread's doneness by testing the center.
• Cooling rack: Helps bread cool evenly and prevents bottom from getting soggy.
• Spatula: Helpful for scraping batter and transferring mixture to the pan.

How to Make Ina Garten Banana Nut Bread

• Preparation Station

Get your baking space ready with all the necessary tools and ingredients. Ensure your kitchen is clean and organized for a smooth baking experience.

• Dry Ingredient Harmony

Combine the flour, chopped pecans, white sugar, baking soda, warm spices, and a touch of salt in a spacious mixing bowl. Gently mix these dry components to create a uniform base.

• Wet Ingredient Magic

In a separate bowl, blend mashed ripe bananas, eggs, melted butter, creamy buttermilk, rich brown sugar, and fragrant vanilla. Whisk until the mixture looks smooth and inviting.

• Batter Fusion

Pour the wet ingredients into the dry mixture. Stir carefully, avoiding overmixing. The goal is a slightly lumpy batter that promises a tender, moist bread.

• Baking Transformation

Transfer the batter to a greased loaf pan. Slide it into a preheated oven and let the magic happen. After about an hour, a golden-brown loaf will emerge, filling your kitchen with an irresistible aroma. Let it cool before slicing into this delectable treat.

Mix-In Ideas for Ina Garten Banana Nut Bread

• Swap pecans with walnuts, almonds, or a mix of different nuts for unique flavor profiles and added crunch.
• Add a dollop of sour cream or Greek yogurt to the wet ingredients for an extra moist and tender banana bread texture.
• Sprinkle chocolate chips, dried coconut, or crystallized ginger into the batter for surprising taste bursts and interesting layers of complexity.
• Replace all-purpose flour with a gluten-free blend or almond flour to accommodate dietary restrictions without compromising the bread's rich, comforting taste.
• Wrap the cooled banana bread tightly in plastic wrap and freeze for up to 3 months, ensuring a delicious treat is always ready when unexpected guests arrive or a sweet craving strikes.

Serve Ina Garten Banana Nut Bread for Any Time

• Savor with Breakfast Delights: Slice the warm banana nut bread and pair it with a dollop of whipped butter or cream cheese for a delightful morning treat alongside your favorite coffee or tea.
• Elevate Dessert Experience: Transform this bread into an elegant dessert by serving it with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a drizzle of caramel sauce, creating a luxurious after-dinner indulgence.
• Create Afternoon Snack Platter: Cut into thin slices and arrange on a rustic wooden board with some fresh berries, honey, and a sprinkle of extra chopped pecans for a charming mid-day snacking option that's both delicious and visually appealing.

Store Ina Garten Banana Nut Bread to Keep It Fresh

• Maximize Freshness: Store the banana nut bread wrapped tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil at room temperature for up to 4 days, keeping its moist texture and delicious flavor intact.
• Freeze for Later: Slice the bread before freezing, then wrap each piece individually in plastic wrap and place in a freezer-safe bag. Frozen banana bread stays delectable for 2-3 months, ready for quick defrosting.
• Revive Stale Slices: Quickly refresh slightly dry bread by warming individual slices in the microwave for 10-15 seconds or toasting lightly, bringing back its soft, tender crumb.
• Pack for Lunch: Wrap individual slices in wax paper or pack in airtight containers for perfect grab-and-go breakfast or snack options that stay fresh and tasty throughout the day.

Moist Banana Nut Bread Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.6 from 23 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
• Yield: 8 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Ina Garten’s banana nut bread showcases rich, moist flavors from ripe bananas and crunchy walnuts. Bakers can create this classic comfort treat with simple ingredients and straightforward mixing techniques.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 4 bananas (soft, very ripe, darkly speckled), mashed (about 1.5 cups)
• 2 eggs, lightly beaten
• 1.75 cups (437.5 ml) all-purpose flour
• 1 cup pecans, toasted and chopped
• 0.5 cup (118 ml) unsalted butter, melted
• 0.5 cup (100 g) granulated sugar
• 0.5 cup (110 g) light brown sugar, lightly packed
• 0.25 cup (60 ml) buttermilk
• 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• 0.5 tsp fine salt
• 0.25 tsp freshly grated nutmeg

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Preparation: Warm the oven to 175°C (350°F) and thoroughly grease a 23 x 13 centimeters loaf pan with butter, ensuring complete interior coverage.
2. Dry Mixture: In a large bowl, whisk together flour, pecans, sugar, baking soda, cinnamon, salt, and nutmeg until uniformly combined.
3. Wet Mixture: In another bowl, blend eggs, melted butter, buttermilk, brown sugar, vanilla, and mashed bananas until smooth and integrated.
4. Batter Fusion: Create a central well in the dry ingredients and gently pour wet mixture into it. Fold ingredients together using a spatula, mixing just until flour is incorporated to maintain a delicate texture.
5. Baking Process: Pour batter into the prepared pan, smoothing the surface and tapping to eliminate air pockets. Bake in the preheated oven for 60-65 minutes, checking doneness with a toothpick that should emerge clean.
6. Cooling Stage: After baking, let the bread rest in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack. Allow the banana nut bread to cool completely before slicing and serving.

Notes

• Prevent Overmixing: Gently fold wet and dry ingredients just until combined to keep the bread tender and prevent a tough, dense texture.
• Ensure Banana Ripeness: Use overripe, heavily speckled bananas for maximum sweetness and deeper flavor complexity.
• Perfect Baking Test: Use the toothpick method to check doneness – it should come out clean with minimal to no crumbs when inserted into the bread’s center.
• Room Temperature Cooling: Allow the bread to cool completely on a wire rack to set the structure and prevent soggy bottoms, enhancing overall texture and slice quality.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 1 hour
• Category: Breakfast, Snacks, Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 320
• Sugar: 18 g
• Sodium: 180 mg
• Fat: 15 g
• Saturated Fat: 6 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 42 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 5 g
• Cholesterol: 50 mg