Ina Garten Banana Bread and Banana Muffins: Barefoot Contessa recipes

Ina Garten Banana Bread never fails to surprise everyone who eats it. The banana bread is incredibly tender and moist, which leaves you just wanting another bite. It’s not too much to say that this old-fashioned way of making bread is on top of the tastiest banana bread recipes list. One more reason why you should choose this recipe is that it doesn’t require any kitchen equipment.

Ina Garten Banana Bread recipes

This banana bread recipe takes about 15 minutes for preparation and 1 hour for cooking. The following amount of ingredients will make 8 servings.

Ingredients

• 4 ripe Bananas (1 1/2 c, mashed)
• All-purpose flour (1 3/4 c)
• Vanilla extract (1 tsp)
• Light brown sugar (1/2 c)
• Buttermilk (1/4 c)
• 2 large Eggs
• Nutmeg (1/4 tsp, freshly grated)
• Fine salt (1/2 tsp)
• Cinnamon (1 tsp, ground)
• Baking soda (1 tsp)
• Granulated sugar (1/2 c)
• Pecans (1 c, toasted and chopped)
• Unsalted butter ( 1/2 c, melted)

Instructions for Ina Garten Banana Bread

Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350-degrees F. Apply a thin layer of butter on a loaf pan (9 x 5 inch) to grease it.

Step 2: Choose a large bowl and add flour, nutmeg, salt, toasted pecans, cinnamon, baking soda and granulated sugar. Whisk together until combined.

Step 3: Prepare another bowl and mix together lightly beaten eggs, vanilla, brown sugar, buttermilk and melted butter. Add the mashed banana to the mixture.

Step 4: Combine the banana mixture and the flour mixture. Gently mix them together, there may be some lumps.

Step 5: Transfer the bread batter to the loaf pan and bake in the oven until it turns brown (for approximately 1 hour). Let the banana bread cool down for about 10 minutes in the loaf pan. Then place it on the cooling rack. Cut into serving size and serve.

More recipe: West Bend Bread Maker recipes for tasty homemade breads

Cooking tips

• You can always choose between buttermilk, yogurt or sour cream.
• Don’t throw away the over-ripe bananas, as they work very well in this recipe.
• Add chopped pecans, walnuts… or any other kinds of nuts you want. You can always skip this step for a nut-free banana bread.
• Insert a toothpick in the center of the banana bread. If the toothpick comes out clean, then you can rest assured that your bread is fully baked through.

Making the frosting for Ina Garten Banana Bread

If you find it kinda bland to just eat the banana bread alone with no toppings at all. It’s time to step up your game and serve it with cream cheese frosting. Here are the ingredients for this frosting to work:

Ingredients

• Room temperature Cream cheese (6 ounces)
• Sifted confectioners’ sugar (2 1/2 c)
• Pure vanilla extract (1 tsp)
• Room temperature unsalted Butter (6 tbsp)

Instructions

Step 1: Attach a paddle to the electric mixer. Then ddd vanilla, butter and cream cheese to the bowl that comes with your electric mixer. Turn on the machine and mix all the ingredients on low speed until they’re combined. Do not whip! Finally pour in the sugar and keep mixing to obtain a smooth texture.

Step 2: Scoop the cream cheese frosting on top of the banana bread. Then spread it evenly to form a thick layer of frosting. Sprinkle some walnut halves on top for garnishing.

See also: Best Hamilton Beach Bread Maker recipes you should try

Ina Garten banana bread muffins recipe

Another famous Ina Garten’s recipe is this banana bread muffins. This recipe is also called banana crunch muffins as it includes crunchy toppings.

Ingredients

• All-purpose flour (3 c)
• 2 ripe Bananas (1 c, mashed)
• 1 ripe Banana (1 c, medium-diced)
• Sweetened shredded Coconut (1 c)
• Granola (1 c)
• Walnuts (1 c, small-diced)
• Pure vanilla extract (2 tsp)
• Whole milk (3/4 c)
• 2 Eggs (Extra-large)
• Unsalted butter (1/2 pound, melted and cooled down)
• Salt (1/2 tsp)
• Baking soda (1 tsp)
• Baking powder (2 tsp)
• Sugar (2 c)

Instructions for Ina Garten Banana Bread muffins

Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350°F.

Step 2: Prepare 18 muffin cups (large in size) and line them with paper muffin liners. Use an electric mixer fitted with a paddle attachment and sift into the mixer’s bowl flour, salt, baking soda, baking powder and sugar. Blend them together. Then pour in the melted butter and start mixing.

Step 3: In a separate bowl, mix together mashed bananas, vanilla, milk and eggs. Then combine them with the butter-and-flour mixture in the bowl of the mixer. Blend them well but do not overmix. Scrape the bowl while blending.

Step 4: Add into the batter the coconut, granola, walnuts and diced bananas. Pour the batter in each muffin cup lined with paper liners, filling to the top. Add coconut, granola or dried banana chips on top of each cup if you want.

Step 5: Bake until the tops of the muffins turn brown (for about 25 – 30 minutes).

Step 6: Let them cool down slightly and serve.

The banana bread muffins recipe is spongy, delicious, soft, attractive in color, not too oily. To get this requires you to meticulously prepare all the necessary ingredients, and follow each basic operation. Baked banana cake exudes a fragrant aroma, spongy outside, soft and smooth inside, awakening even the most fastidious taste buds.

Besides balancing the right amount of ingredients when combined, the enthusiasm and passion for cooking from the heart is always a factor that determines the taste of the dish. To get the most uplifting emotions every time you enter the kitchen, it is very necessary to prepare dishes with delicious flavors.

It’s a guarantee that this Ina Garten Banana Bread recipe will impress all of your friends and family! This bread has a wonderful flavor and the cooking process doesn’t require very much skills nor any special equipment. No doubt this bread recipe is one of the most successful recipes that Ina Garten has ever created. Don’t be hesitant to give this banana bread a try and share your end result with Bourbon O!

Print

Tips for Baking Perfect Banana Bread and Muffins

1. Use a Kitchen Scale to Measure Ingredients: Measuring ingredients accurately is crucial for achieving the perfect texture and taste in banana bread and muffins. A kitchen scale is an easy way to measure ingredients more precisely, which can help you avoid adding too much or too little of a particular ingredient.
2. Allow the Bread or Muffins to Cool Before Slicing or Serving: While it may be tempting to dig right into a freshly baked loaf of banana bread or muffins, it’s important to let it cool for at least 10 to 15 minutes before slicing or serving. This helps the bread or muffins set and develop a firmer texture.
3. How to Ripen Bananas for Baking: The best bananas for baking are those that are slightly overripe and soft. To ripen bananas quickly, place them in a paper bag with an apple or banana for a day or two. Alternatively, leave them on the counter for a few days until they are fully ripe.
4. Use Room Temperature Ingredients: Using room temperature ingredients, such as eggs and butter, helps the ingredients combine more easily and uniformly. This can result in a better texture and flavor for your banana bread or muffins.
5. Avoid Overmixing the Batter: Overmixing the batter can result in tough or dense banana bread or muffins. Mix the ingredients until they are just combined, and avoid stirring the batter too much.
6. Use a Muffin Scoop to Portion the Batter: Using a muffin scoop can help ensure that each muffin is evenly portioned and bakes at the same rate. It also helps prevent overfilling the muffin cups, which can cause the muffins to overflow.
7. Bake at the Correct Temperature: Always follow the recipe instructions for baking temperature and time. Baking at too high or too low of a temperature can affect the texture and flavor of the banana bread or muffins.
8. Store and Freeze Properly: Wrap banana bread or muffins in plastic wrap or aluminum foil and place them in an airtight container to keep them fresh. They can also be frozen for up to 3 months. When ready to eat, thaw them in the refrigerator overnight or on the counter for a few hours.
9. Toast for Extra Flavor: For a delicious twist, toast slices of banana bread or muffins in the toaster or under the broiler for a few minutes. This can add extra flavor and texture to your baked goods.
10. Serve with Butter or Cream Cheese: Serve slices of banana bread or muffins with a pat of butter or cream cheese for a tasty breakfast or snack. The creamy texture of the butter or cream cheese pairs perfectly with the moist and fluffy texture of the banana bread or muffins.

Does Ina Garten have a banana bread recipe?

Yes, Ina Garten has a popular banana bread recipe that has become a fan favorite. Her recipe calls for ingredients such as flour, sugar, baking soda, salt, eggs, unsalted butter, ripe bananas, and vanilla extract. She also provides tips and variations for making the perfect banana bread, including adding nuts or chocolate chips for extra flavor and texture.

Why are my banana muffins tough?

There are several reasons why your banana muffins might turn out tough:

1. Overmixing the batter: Overmixing the batter can develop the gluten in the flour, resulting in tough, dense muffins. Mix the batter just until the ingredients are combined.
2. Too much flour: Too much flour can also make muffins tough. Make sure to measure your ingredients accurately and use the correct amount of flour.
3. Overbaking: Overbaking can dry out the muffins and make them tough. Check the muffins a few minutes before the suggested baking time to see if they are done, and remove them from the oven when a toothpick or cake tester comes out clean.
4. Not enough moisture: Not enough moisture in the batter can result in dry, tough muffins. Make sure to add enough wet ingredients, such as mashed bananas or milk, to the batter.
5. Using cold ingredients: Using cold ingredients, such as butter or eggs, can prevent the batter from mixing evenly and can result in tough muffins. Make sure to let your ingredients come to room temperature before baking.

To avoid tough muffins, be sure to follow the recipe instructions carefully and avoid making the mistakes listed above.

Can I add fresh bananas to muffin mix?

Yes, you can definitely add fresh bananas to muffin mix! In fact, bananas are a common ingredient in many muffin recipes, including banana muffins. Here are some tips for adding fresh bananas to muffin mix:

1. Choose ripe bananas: Ripe bananas are sweeter and easier to mash than unripe bananas, making them perfect for muffin recipes. Look for bananas that are yellow with brown spots or completely brown.
2. Mash the bananas: Mash the bananas with a fork or a potato masher until they are mostly smooth with some small chunks remaining. This will add moisture and flavor to the muffins.
3. Add the bananas to the wet ingredients: Mix the mashed bananas with the other wet ingredients, such as eggs, oil, or milk, before adding them to the dry ingredients.
4. Fold the ingredients together gently: Mix the wet and dry ingredients together until just combined. Overmixing can lead to tough muffins.

Adding fresh bananas to muffin mix can be a great way to add flavor, moisture, and nutrition to your muffins. Just be sure to follow the recipe instructions carefully and use ripe bananas for the best results.

Can bananas be too ripe for banana bread?

Bananas that are too ripe can make banana bread too sweet and may affect the texture of the bread. However, the sweetness and texture of the bananas depend on personal preference, and some people prefer to use very ripe or even overripe bananas for their banana bread.

As bananas ripen, their starches break down into sugars, making them sweeter and softer. Overripe bananas can be almost black in color and have a mushy texture. These bananas are often used for banana bread because they are easier to mash and can add more flavor and moisture to the bread.

If you find that your banana bread is too sweet or has a mushy texture, you can try using slightly less ripe bananas or reducing the amount of sugar in the recipe. However, if you enjoy the sweetness and texture of very ripe bananas in your banana bread, then it’s okay to use them. It’s all about personal preference and finding the balance of sweetness and texture that you like best.

Can you put too much banana in banana bread?

Yes, you can put too much banana in banana bread. While bananas are an important ingredient in banana bread and provide flavor, moisture, and sweetness, adding too much banana can affect the texture and taste of the bread.

If you use too much banana, the bread may become dense, heavy, and gooey. It may also take longer to cook through, and the excess moisture can cause the bread to sink in the middle or collapse. Additionally, using too much banana can make the bread overly sweet, which may not be desirable for some people.

The amount of banana needed for banana bread varies depending on the recipe, but most recipes call for 1-2 ripe bananas. If you’re not sure how much banana to use, follow the recipe instructions carefully and adjust as needed based on your personal preference.

In general, it’s best to use the amount of banana specified in the recipe and avoid adding too much, which can affect the texture and taste of the bread.

How do you make muffins light and fluffy?

To make muffins light and fluffy, you can follow these tips:

1. Use Cake Flour: Cake flour has a lower protein content than all-purpose flour, which helps to create a lighter and more tender crumb in muffins. If you don’t have cake flour, you can make a DIY version by removing 2 tablespoons of all-purpose flour and replacing them with 2 tablespoons of cornstarch for every cup of flour.
2. Don’t Overmix the Batter: Overmixing the batter can develop the gluten in the flour, resulting in tough, dense muffins. Mix the batter just until the ingredients are combined.
3. Add Leavening Agents: Adding baking powder or baking soda to the batter can help the muffins rise and become lighter. Make sure to use the amount of leavening agent specified in the recipe.
4. Use Buttermilk: Buttermilk has a slightly acidic pH, which can help to activate the leavening agents in muffins and make them rise more. It also adds a tangy flavor to the muffins. If you don’t have buttermilk, you can make a DIY version by mixing 1 cup of milk with 1 tablespoon of vinegar or lemon juice and letting it sit for a few minutes until it curdles.
5. Use Room Temperature Ingredients: Using room temperature ingredients, such as eggs and butter, helps the ingredients combine more easily and uniformly. This can result in a better texture and flavor for your muffins.
6. Preheat the Oven: Preheating the oven before baking helps the muffins cook evenly and rise properly.

By following these tips, you can create light and fluffy muffins that are tender and delicious.