Strawberry Banana Nut Bread: A Delicious Twist on a Classic

This strawberry banana nut bread is a delightful variation of the classic banana bread, adding a burst of fruity sweetness from fresh strawberries and a satisfying crunch from your favorite nuts. It’s moist, flavorful, and perfect for breakfast, brunch, or a sweet treat any time of day. This recipe is easy to follow and guaranteed to become a family favorite.

## Why You’ll Love This Recipe

* **Moist and Tender:** The combination of bananas and oil ensures a wonderfully moist texture.
* **Fruity Flavor:** Fresh strawberries add a vibrant sweetness that complements the banana flavor perfectly.
* **Nutty Crunch:** Nuts provide a delightful textural contrast and enhance the overall taste.
* **Easy to Make:** This recipe uses simple ingredients and straightforward instructions, making it accessible for bakers of all skill levels.
* **Versatile:** Enjoy it plain, toasted with butter, or with a dollop of cream cheese. It’s also a great way to use up ripe bananas and strawberries.

## Ingredients You’ll Need

* **Ripe Bananas:** 3 medium-sized, very ripe bananas (the more ripe, the sweeter and more flavorful the bread will be).
* **Fresh Strawberries:** 1 cup, hulled and chopped.
* **All-Purpose Flour:** 2 1/2 cups. This forms the structure of the bread. You can substitute with a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend if needed.
* **Granulated Sugar:** 1 cup. Adds sweetness and moisture.
* **Brown Sugar:** 1/2 cup, packed. Adds a molasses-like flavor and helps keep the bread moist. Light or dark brown sugar can be used.
* **Eggs:** 2 large. Binds the ingredients together and adds richness.
* **Vegetable Oil:** 1/2 cup. Keeps the bread moist. Other neutral oils like canola oil or coconut oil (melted) can be substituted.
* **Baking Soda:** 1 teaspoon. Leavens the bread, giving it a light and airy texture.
* **Baking Powder:** 1/2 teaspoon. Provides additional leavening power for a better rise.
* **Salt:** 1/2 teaspoon. Enhances the flavors of the other ingredients.
* **Vanilla Extract:** 1 teaspoon. Adds a warm and aromatic flavor.
* **Chopped Nuts:** 1 cup (walnuts, pecans, or a combination). Adds texture and nutty flavor. Toasted nuts offer an even richer taste.
* **Optional: Cinnamon:** 1/2 teaspoon. Adds warmth and spice.

## Equipment You’ll Need

* **9×5 inch Loaf Pan:** For baking the bread.
* **Mixing Bowls:** For mixing the wet and dry ingredients.
* **Measuring Cups and Spoons:** For accurate measuring.
* **Whisk:** For combining the dry ingredients.
* **Spatula:** For folding the ingredients together.
* **Potato Masher or Fork:** For mashing the bananas.
* **Wire Rack:** For cooling the bread.

## Step-by-Step Instructions

**1. Prepare the Strawberries:**

* Wash the strawberries thoroughly. Hull them (remove the green tops). Chop the strawberries into small pieces, about 1/4 inch in size. This ensures they distribute evenly throughout the bread. Set aside.

**2. Preheat and Prepare the Pan:**

* Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
* Grease a 9×5 inch loaf pan with butter or cooking spray. You can also line the bottom with parchment paper for easy removal.

**3. Mash the Bananas:**

* In a large mixing bowl, mash the ripe bananas with a potato masher or a fork until they are mostly smooth. A few small lumps are fine.

**4. Combine the Wet Ingredients:**

* To the mashed bananas, add the granulated sugar, brown sugar, eggs, vegetable oil, and vanilla extract.
* Mix well until everything is combined. Make sure there are no large clumps of sugar remaining.

**5. Combine the Dry Ingredients:**

* In a separate medium mixing bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon (if using).
* Whisking ensures that the baking soda and baking powder are evenly distributed throughout the flour, which will help the bread rise properly.

**6. Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients:**

* Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined.
* Be careful not to overmix. Overmixing can develop the gluten in the flour, resulting in a tough bread. Mix until the flour streaks disappear.

**7. Fold in Strawberries and Nuts:**

* Gently fold in the chopped strawberries and nuts until they are evenly distributed throughout the batter.
* Again, be careful not to overmix.

**8. Pour into Pan and Bake:**

* Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan.
* Spread the batter evenly in the pan.
* Bake for 50-60 minutes, or until a wooden skewer inserted into the center comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs attached.

**9. Cool the Bread:**

* Let the bread cool in the pan for 10-15 minutes before transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely.
* Cooling the bread in the pan allows it to set up and prevents it from crumbling when you remove it.

**10. Slice and Serve:**

* Once the bread is completely cooled, slice it and serve. Enjoy it plain, toasted with butter, or with your favorite toppings.

## Tips for the Best Strawberry Banana Nut Bread

* **Use Ripe Bananas:** The riper the bananas, the sweeter and more flavorful the bread will be. Bananas with brown spots are ideal.
* **Don’t Overmix:** Overmixing the batter can lead to a tough bread. Mix until the dry ingredients are just combined.
* **Measure Flour Accurately:** Spoon the flour into the measuring cup and level it off with a knife. Scooping the flour directly from the bag can pack it down, resulting in too much flour in the recipe.
* **Use Fresh Strawberries:** While frozen strawberries *can* be used in a pinch, fresh strawberries will provide the best flavor and texture. If using frozen, do not thaw them, and gently fold them in at the last minute to avoid bleeding and making the batter watery. You may need to add a couple extra minutes to the baking time.
* **Toast the Nuts:** Toasting the nuts before adding them to the batter enhances their flavor. To toast nuts, spread them in a single layer on a baking sheet and bake at 350°F (175°C) for 5-7 minutes, or until fragrant.
* **Add Chocolate Chips:** For an extra decadent treat, add 1/2 cup of chocolate chips to the batter along with the strawberries and nuts.
* **Adjust Sugar to Taste:** If you prefer a less sweet bread, you can reduce the amount of sugar slightly.
* **Prevent Burning:** If the top of the bread starts to brown too quickly, tent it with foil during the last 15-20 minutes of baking.
* **Let Cool Completely:** While it’s tempting to slice into the bread while it’s still warm, allowing it to cool completely will make it easier to slice and prevent it from crumbling.

## Variations and Substitutions

* **Different Nuts:** Experiment with different types of nuts, such as almonds, hazelnuts, or macadamia nuts.
* **Gluten-Free:** Use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend to make this bread gluten-free.
* **Dairy-Free:** Substitute the vegetable oil with melted coconut oil or another plant-based oil. Ensure your add-ins (like chocolate chips) are also dairy-free.
* **Spices:** Add other spices like nutmeg, cardamom, or allspice for a different flavor profile.
* **Add-ins:** Get creative with other add-ins like dried cranberries, blueberries, or shredded coconut.
* **Strawberry Swirl:** Reserve a portion of the strawberry mixture and swirl it into the top of the batter before baking for a beautiful presentation and extra burst of strawberry flavor.
* **Mini Loaves:** Divide the batter into mini loaf pans for individual servings. Adjust the baking time accordingly (usually around 25-35 minutes).

## Serving Suggestions

* **Plain:** Enjoy a slice of strawberry banana nut bread on its own.
* **Toasted with Butter:** Toast a slice and spread it with butter for a warm and comforting treat.
* **Cream Cheese:** Top with a dollop of cream cheese or a cream cheese frosting.
* **Peanut Butter:** Spread with peanut butter or another nut butter for a protein-packed snack.
* **Yogurt and Granola:** Crumble the bread over yogurt and sprinkle with granola for a delicious breakfast parfait.
* **Ice Cream:** Serve warm slices with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a decadent dessert.

## Storage Instructions

* **Room Temperature:** Store the bread in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
* **Refrigerator:** For longer storage, store the bread in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week. Refrigerating the bread can make it slightly drier, so you may want to toast it before serving.
* **Freezer:** Wrap the bread tightly in plastic wrap and then in foil, or place it in a freezer bag. Freeze for up to 2-3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before serving.

## Nutritional Information (Approximate per slice)

* Calories: 250-300
* Fat: 12-15g
* Saturated Fat: 2-3g
* Cholesterol: 30-40mg
* Sodium: 150-200mg
* Carbohydrates: 30-40g
* Fiber: 1-2g
* Sugar: 15-20g
* Protein: 3-4g

*Please note that the nutritional information is an estimate and may vary depending on the specific ingredients and portion sizes used.*

## Strawberry Banana Nut Bread Recipe Card

**Yields:** 1 loaf
**Prep time:** 15 minutes
**Cook time:** 50-60 minutes

**Ingredients:**

* 3 medium ripe bananas, mashed
* 1 cup chopped fresh strawberries
* 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
* 1 cup granulated sugar
* 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
* 2 large eggs
* 1/2 cup vegetable oil
* 1 teaspoon baking soda
* 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
* 1/2 teaspoon salt
* 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
* 1 cup chopped nuts (walnuts, pecans, or a combination)
* Optional: 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

**Instructions:**

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9×5 inch loaf pan.
2. In a large bowl, mash bananas.
3. Add granulated sugar, brown sugar, eggs, oil, and vanilla. Mix well.
4. In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon (if using).
5. Gradually add dry ingredients to wet ingredients, mixing until just combined.
6. Fold in strawberries and nuts.
7. Pour batter into prepared pan.
8. Bake for 50-60 minutes, or until a wooden skewer inserted into the center comes out clean.
9. Let cool in pan for 10-15 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
10. Slice and serve.

## Enjoy!

This Strawberry Banana Nut Bread is a delightful treat that’s sure to please everyone. It’s perfect for a quick breakfast, a satisfying snack, or a delicious dessert. Happy baking!