Ina Garten Chocolate Chip Banana Bread

This Ina Garten Chocolate Chip Banana Bread is a moist and rich recipe, which uses ripe bananas and semisweet chocolate chips. It’s a classic, foolproof recipe, ready in about 1 hour and 15 minutes.

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Ina Garten Chocolate Chip Banana Bread Ingredients

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon (optional)
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature
• 3/4 cup granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup sour cream
• 3 ripe bananas, mashed (about 1 1/4 cups)
• 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
• Optional: 1/2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans

How To Make Ina Garten Chocolate Chip Banana Bread

1. Preheat the oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×5-inch loaf pan and line it with parchment paper for easy removal.
2. Mix dry ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon (if using). Set aside.
3. Cream butter and sugar: In a large bowl, cream together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy using a hand whisk or spatula.
4. Add eggs and vanilla: Beat in the eggs one at a time, followed by the vanilla extract. Mix until fully smooth.
5. Stir in bananas and sour cream: Add the mashed bananas and sour cream to the mixture and stir gently until just combined.
6. Combine wet and dry mixtures: Fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture until just incorporated. Do not overmix.
7. Add chocolate chips and nuts: Gently fold in the chocolate chips and nuts (if using) evenly throughout the batter.
8. Pour and bake: Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan. Smooth the top and bake for 55–65 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
9. Cool and serve: Allow the banana bread to cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely. Slice and enjoy.

Recipe Tips

• How ripe should the bananas be? Use bananas with lots of brown spots for the best sweetness and moisture.
• Can I use yogurt instead of sour cream? Yes, plain Greek yogurt is a great substitute.
• How to keep chocolate chips from sinking: Toss them in a tablespoon of flour before folding into the batter.
• Can I skip the nuts? Absolutely—this recipe works perfectly without them.
• Why is my banana bread dense? Be sure not to overmix the batter; it should be gently folded until just combined.

What To Serve With Chocolate Chip Banana Bread

This sweet and cozy loaf pairs well with:

• A cup of coffee or tea
• Vanilla ice cream or whipped cream
• Peanut butter or almond butter spread on top
• A fruit salad for a light side
• Warmed with a drizzle of honey

How To Store Banana Bread

Refrigerate: Store in an airtight container for up to 5 days. Let it come to room temperature before serving.

Freeze: Wrap slices or the whole loaf tightly in plastic wrap and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature or reheat in the microwave.

Banana Bread Nutrition Facts

• Calories: 320 per slice
• Carbohydrates: 42g
• Protein: 4g
• Fat: 15g
• Saturated Fat: 8g
• Cholesterol: 55mg
• Sodium: 210mg
• Sugar: 25g
• Fiber: 2g
• Calcium: 30mg
• Iron: 1.4mg

Nutrition information is estimated and may vary based on ingredients and cooking methods used.

FAQs

Can I make this recipe into muffins?
Yes, divide the batter into a lined muffin tin and bake at 350°F for about 20-25 minutes.

How do I know when banana bread is done?
A toothpick inserted into the center should come out clean or with just a few moist crumbs.

Can I reduce the sugar?
You can cut the sugar to 1/2 cup if you prefer it less sweet.

What’s the best way to mash bananas?
Use a fork or potato masher to mash ripe bananas until smooth.

Should I use salted or unsalted butter?
Use unsalted butter for better control of the salt content.

Try More Recipes:

• Ina Garten Cacio e Pepe Eggs Recipe
• Ina Garten Apple Cinnamon Muffins Recipe
• Ina Garten Waffle Iron Hash Browns Recipe