Silky Golden Banana Bread Recipe: Ina Garten’s Treasured Secret

Soft, moist banana bread becomes an irresistible treat with Ina Garten’s touch that elevates home baking.

Her classic recipe turns overripe bananas into a delectable comfort classic.

Each slice promises rich, tender crumbs that melt in your mouth.

The aroma of warm spices and ripe bananas fills the kitchen with pure happiness.

Professional techniques ensure a perfectly balanced loaf every single time.

Simple ingredients come together to create something truly magical.

Grab those browning bananas and get ready to bake a show-stopping bread that will have everyone asking for seconds.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 48 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour 8 minutes

Calories: 190 kcal

Servings: 8

Ingredients List for Ina Garten’s Banana Bread

• All-Purpose Flour: Provides the sturdy foundation for a tender, classic banana bread texture.
• Granulated Sugar: Delivers sweetness and helps create a golden, caramelized exterior.
• Baking Soda: Ensures light and airy rise with perfect crumb structure.

• Ripe Bananas: Concentrate natural sugars and provide intense, deep banana flavor with maximum moisture.
• Eggs: Bind ingredients together and contribute to rich, smooth consistency.
• Unsalted Butter: Brings luxurious richness and helps create tender crumb.
• Vanilla Extract: Enhances overall depth and warmth of banana bread flavor profile.

• Kosher Salt: Balances sweetness and amplifies other ingredient nuances.
• Sour Cream: Adds tangy complexity and ensures incredibly moist texture.

Tools That Help Bake Perfect Banana Bread

• Large mixing bowl: Spacious vessel for combining all ingredients smoothly.
• Electric mixer or stand mixer: Powerful tool to cream butter and sugar perfectly.
• Wooden spoon or spatula: Great for folding and mixing ingredients gently.
• 9×5 inch loaf pan: Essential for baking banana bread with ideal shape and size.
• Measuring cups and spoons: Precise measuring ensures recipe success.
• Cooling rack: Helps bread cool evenly and prevents soggy bottom.
• Whisk: Useful for blending dry ingredients and breaking up lumps.
• Sharp knife: Perfect for slicing bananas and cutting bread after baking.
• Cutting board: Clean surface for preparing ingredients.

Baking Steps for Moist Banana Bread by Ina

• Ingredient Preparation

Gather ripe bananas, flour, sugar, butter, eggs, and other classic baking essentials from your kitchen. Ensure all components are fresh and at room temperature for optimal mixing and flavor development.

• Mixing Foundation

Cream softened butter with sugar until the mixture becomes light and fluffy. Incorporate mashed bananas and eggs, blending smoothly to create a consistent, velvety base for your bread.

• Dry Component Integration

Sift together flour, baking soda, and salt in a separate bowl. Gently fold these dry ingredients into the banana mixture, stirring carefully to maintain a tender texture without overmixing.

• Pan Preparation

Select a standard loaf pan and lightly grease its interior. Transfer the banana bread batter into the prepared pan, ensuring an even distribution for consistent baking.

• Baking Process

Place the pan in a preheated oven, allowing the bread to transform into a golden, fragrant delight. Bake until a cake tester emerges clean when inserted into the center, signaling perfect doneness.

• Cooling and Serving

Remove the bread from the oven and let it rest in the pan for a few minutes. Carefully transfer to a wire rack, allowing complete cooling before slicing. Enjoy with a spread of butter or alongside your morning coffee.

Mix-In Ideas for Ina Garten’s Banana Bread

• Swap out regular flour for whole wheat or gluten-free alternatives to match dietary needs without sacrificing flavor.
• Fold in chopped walnuts, pecans, or chia seeds for extra protein and a delightful crunch that elevates the banana bread's texture.
• Experiment with warming spices like cardamom, nutmeg, or a pinch of cinnamon to create a more complex and aromatic banana bread experience.
• Drizzle melted dark chocolate over the cooled loaf or sprinkle mini chocolate chips into the batter for an indulgent twist that chocolate lovers will adore.

How to Serve Ina’s Banana Bread Warm or Cold

• Elevate Morning Breakfast: Slice the warm banana bread and serve alongside a steaming cup of coffee or freshly squeezed orange juice for a delightful start to your day.
• Create Decadent Dessert Twist: Transform the bread into a rich dessert by topping each slice with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and drizzling with caramel sauce for an indulgent treat.
• Pack Perfect Lunch Companion: Cut into neat squares and wrap individually for a delicious midday snack that travels well in lunchboxes or picnic baskets, providing a sweet energy boost.
• Customize with Fresh Toppings: Sprinkle chopped nuts like walnuts or pecans on top before baking, or add a layer of cream cheese frosting for extra richness and texture that complements the banana bread's soft crumb.

How to Store Ina Garten Banana Bread Slices

• Maximize Freshness: Store your banana bread in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, keeping the texture moist and delicious.
• Refrigerate Wisely: When wrapped tightly in plastic wrap, this banana bread stays fresh in the refrigerator for 5-7 days, perfect for enjoying throughout the week.
• Freeze for Later: Slice the bread before freezing, placing parchment paper between each slice. Sealed in a freezer-safe bag, it will maintain its flavor for up to 3 months.
• Quick Reheating Trick: Warm individual slices in the microwave for 10-15 seconds or toast lightly in a toaster oven to restore that fresh-baked warmth and softness.

Silky Ina Garten Banana Bread Recipe

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4.7 from 11 reviews

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

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Description

Ina Garten’s banana bread recipe delivers a moist, flavorful loaf packed with ripe banana goodness. Warm spices and rich ingredients create a comforting classic you’ll want to bake again and again.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 3 very ripe medium bananas (mashed)
• ½ cup (120 ml / 4 oz) unsalted butter (melted)
• ½ cup (100 g) brown sugar
• ½ cup (120 ml / 4 fl oz) sour cream
• 1 large egg
• 1 tsp (5 ml) vanilla extract
• 2 cups (480 ml / 240 g) all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp (5 ml) baking soda
• ¼ tsp (1.25 ml) salt
• ½ cup (60 g) chopped walnuts (optional)

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Instructions

1. Preparation: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and generously coat a 9×5-inch loaf pan with non-stick spray or butter to ensure easy release.
2. Dry Ingredients: Whisk flour, baking soda, and salt together in a large mixing bowl until thoroughly combined and lump-free.
3. Creaming Process: Using an electric mixer, cream brown sugar and butter until light, fluffy, and pale in color, creating a smooth base for the bread.
4. Wet Ingredient Integration: Incorporate mashed bananas and eggs into the sugar-butter mixture, blending until a uniform, silky texture develops.
5. Batter Formation: Gently fold the banana mixture into the dry ingredients, stirring minimally to prevent gluten development and maintain a tender crumb. Transfer the batter to the prepared loaf pan, smoothing the surface with a spatula for even baking.
6. Baking: Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for approximately 60 minutes. Test for doneness by inserting a toothpick into the center – it should emerge clean with no raw batter.
7. Cooling: Allow the banana bread to rest in the pan for 10 minutes, then carefully transfer to a wire rack to cool completely, which helps set the structure and enhance flavor.

Notes

• Ripeness Matters: Use overripe, super soft bananas with brown spots for maximum sweetness and deeper banana flavor.
• Mixing Magic: Gently fold ingredients to prevent tough, dense bread; stop stirring when flour streaks just disappear.
• Pan Perfect: Grease pan thoroughly and line with parchment paper for easy removal and crisp edges.
• Temperature Check: Let ingredients like eggs and butter reach room temperature to ensure smoother batter and even baking.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 48 minutes
• Category: Breakfast, Snacks, Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 190
• Sugar: 5 g
• Sodium: 120 mg
• Fat: 6 g
• Saturated Fat: 1 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 30 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 3 g
• Cholesterol: 10 mg