Strawberry Bread

Strawberry bread is a delightful treat that brings together the juicy sweetness of fresh strawberries with the soft, moist texture of a classic quick bread. Whether you’re enjoying it for breakfast, as a snack, or as a light dessert, this strawberry bread is sure to be a hit with everyone. The recipe is simple to follow and results in a beautifully moist loaf bursting with the flavors of ripe strawberries and a hint of vanilla. And to make it even better, a luscious strawberry glaze drizzled on top adds a touch of sweetness and elegance.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

This strawberry bread is the perfect balance of sweet and tangy, thanks to the fresh strawberries folded into the batter. It’s a great way to use up an abundance of strawberries when they’re in season, and it works just as well with frozen strawberries, making it a versatile year-round recipe. The bread itself is soft and tender with a light crumb, while the strawberry glaze adds a deliciously sweet finish that makes each slice irresistible.

This recipe is also incredibly easy to make, requiring just a few basic ingredients that you probably already have in your pantry. It’s a great choice for novice bakers or anyone looking for a quick and delicious baked good to share with family and friends.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Here’s what you’ll need to make this delicious strawberry bread:

For the Bread:

  • ¾ cup granulated sugar: Adds sweetness and helps create a tender crumb.
  • ½ cup milk: Provides moisture and richness to the bread.
  • ½ cup oil: Keeps the bread moist and soft. You can use vegetable oil or melted coconut oil.
  • 1 large egg: Binds the ingredients together and adds richness.
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract or almond extract: Adds a wonderful aroma and flavor. Almond extract pairs especially well with strawberries.
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour: The base of the bread, giving it structure.
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder: Helps the bread rise and gives it a light texture.
  • ¼ teaspoon salt: Balances the sweetness and enhances the flavors.
  • 2 cups diced strawberries: The star of the show, providing bursts of sweet, fruity flavor in every bite.
  • 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour: Used to coat the strawberries and prevent them from sinking to the bottom of the bread.

For the Glaze:

  • 2 cups powdered sugar: For a sweet, smooth glaze.
  • 2 tablespoons melted butter: Adds richness and helps bind the glaze.
  • ⅓ cup finely diced strawberries: Adds fresh strawberry flavor and a pretty pink color to the glaze.
  • ½ teaspoon vanilla extract or almond extract: Enhances the flavor of the glaze.
  • 1-2 tablespoons heavy cream or milk (optional): To adjust the consistency of the glaze.

How to Make Strawberry Bread

Follow these simple steps to create a delicious and moist strawberry bread with a beautiful glaze:

Step 1: Prepare the Oven and Pan

Preheat your oven to 350ºF (175ºC). Grease a 9×5-inch loaf pan with non-stick cooking spray or line it with parchment paper for easy removal.

Step 2: Mix the Wet Ingredients

In a large mixing bowl, combine the granulated sugar, milk, oil, egg, and vanilla or almond extract. Whisk together until the mixture is smooth and well combined.

Step 3: Combine the Dry Ingredients

In a separate bowl, whisk together the 2 cups of all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt. This step ensures that the baking powder and salt are evenly distributed throughout the flour.

Step 4: Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients

Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, stirring gently until just combined. Be careful not to overmix, as this can result in a dense bread.

Step 5: Prepare the Strawberries

In a small bowl, toss the diced strawberries with the 2 tablespoons of flour. This step helps prevent the strawberries from sinking to the bottom of the bread while baking.

Step 6: Fold in the Strawberries

Gently fold the flour-coated strawberries into the batter, being careful not to overmix. You want to distribute the strawberries evenly throughout the batter without crushing them.

Step 7: Bake the Bread

Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan and spread it out evenly. Bake in the preheated oven for about 50 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the bread comes out clean. If the top of the bread starts to brown too quickly, you can cover it loosely with aluminum foil for the last 10-15 minutes of baking.

Step 8: Cool the Bread

Remove the bread from the oven and let it cool in the pan for 10 minutes. Then, carefully transfer the bread to a wire cooling rack to cool completely before adding the glaze.

Step 9: Make the Strawberry Glaze

While the bread is cooling, prepare the glaze. In a small bowl, combine the powdered sugar, melted butter, diced strawberries, and vanilla or almond extract. Stir until smooth. If the glaze is too thick, add 1-2 tablespoons of heavy cream or milk, one tablespoon at a time, until you reach the desired consistency.

Step 10: Glaze and Serve

Once the bread is completely cooled, drizzle the glaze over the top. Let the glaze set for a few minutes before slicing and serving the bread.

Kitchen Equipment Needed

  • 9×5-inch loaf pan: For baking the bread.
  • Large mixing bowl: For mixing the wet ingredients.
  • Medium mixing bowl: For combining the dry ingredients.
  • Whisk: To mix the ingredients together.
  • Spatula: For folding the strawberries into the batter.
  • Measuring cups and spoons: For accurately measuring ingredients.
  • Wire cooling rack: To cool the bread after baking.

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