Strawberry Nut Bread: A Sweet & Crunchy Delight for Any Occasion

Strawberry nut bread – the name itself evokes images of spring sunshine, warm kitchens, and the comforting aroma of freshly baked goods. This delightful bread combines the sweetness of ripe strawberries with the satisfying crunch of nuts, creating a symphony of textures and flavors that’s perfect for breakfast, brunch, dessert, or even a mid-afternoon snack. Unlike some breads that are heavy and dense, this recipe aims for a moist, tender crumb that melts in your mouth. Whether you’re a seasoned baker or just starting out, this guide will walk you through each step, ensuring a delicious loaf every time.

Why You’ll Love This Strawberry Nut Bread

• Flavorful and Fruity: The fresh strawberries infuse the bread with a natural sweetness and vibrant flavor.
• Textural Contrast: The combination of soft bread, juicy strawberries, and crunchy nuts creates a delightful sensory experience.
• Moist and Tender: This recipe focuses on achieving a moist and tender crumb that stays fresh for days.
• Easy to Make: With simple ingredients and straightforward instructions, this bread is surprisingly easy to bake.
• Versatile: Enjoy it plain, toasted with butter, or as a base for sweet or savory toppings.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Before you begin, gather all your ingredients. This will make the baking process smoother and more enjoyable. Here’s what you’ll need:

• All-Purpose Flour: 3 cups (360g) – Provides the structure for the bread.
• Baking Powder: 3 teaspoons – Leavening agent that helps the bread rise.
• Baking Soda: 1 teaspoon – Another leavening agent that reacts with the acidity of the strawberries.
• Salt: 1/2 teaspoon – Enhances the flavors and balances the sweetness.
• Ground Cinnamon: 1 teaspoon – Adds warmth and a subtle spice.
• Unsalted Butter: 1/2 cup (113g), softened – Adds richness and moisture.
• Granulated Sugar: 1 cup (200g) – Sweetens the bread and helps create a tender crumb. You can adjust this slightly to your taste.
• Brown Sugar: 1/2 cup (100g), packed – Adds a molasses-like flavor and contributes to the bread’s moistness.
• Eggs: 2 large – Bind the ingredients together and add richness.
• Vanilla Extract: 1 teaspoon – Enhances the flavors.
• Buttermilk: 1 cup (240ml) – Adds tanginess and helps create a tender crumb. If you don’t have buttermilk, you can make a substitute by adding 1 tablespoon of lemon juice or white vinegar to regular milk and letting it sit for 5 minutes.
• Fresh Strawberries: 1 1/2 cups, hulled and chopped – The star of the show!
• Chopped Nuts: 1 cup (pecans, walnuts, or a mix) – Adds crunch and flavor. Toasting the nuts beforehand enhances their flavor even more.

Equipment You’ll Need

• Loaf Pan: 9×5 inch – The standard size for loaf breads.
• Mixing Bowls: Large and medium – For mixing the dry and wet ingredients separately.
• Measuring Cups and Spoons: Accurate measurements are crucial for baking.
• Whisk: For combining the dry ingredients.
• Electric Mixer: Handheld or stand mixer – Makes creaming the butter and sugar easier.
• Rubber Spatula: For scraping down the sides of the bowl and folding in the strawberries and nuts.
• Parchment Paper (optional): For lining the loaf pan, making it easier to remove the bread.
• Wire Rack: For cooling the bread after baking.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Now, let’s get baking! Follow these detailed instructions for a perfect strawberry nut bread:

Step 1: Prepare the Oven and Loaf Pan

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×5 inch loaf pan thoroughly with butter or cooking spray. For easier removal, line the pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on the sides.

Step 2: Combine the Dry Ingredients

In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and ground cinnamon. This ensures that the leavening agents are evenly distributed throughout the flour.

Step 3: Cream the Butter and Sugars

In a separate mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy. This usually takes about 3-5 minutes with an electric mixer. Properly creaming the butter and sugar incorporates air, which helps create a lighter texture in the bread.

Step 4: Add the Eggs and Vanilla

Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in the vanilla extract. Make sure each egg is fully incorporated before adding the next. This helps prevent the batter from curdling.

Step 5: Alternate Adding Dry and Wet Ingredients

Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, alternating with the buttermilk. Begin and end with the dry ingredients. Mix until just combined. Be careful not to overmix, as this can develop the gluten in the flour and result in a tough bread. Overmixing is a common mistake, so err on the side of undermixing rather than overmixing.

Step 6: Fold in the Strawberries and Nuts

Gently fold in the chopped strawberries and nuts until they are evenly distributed throughout the batter. Use a rubber spatula to avoid crushing the strawberries. Folding, rather than stirring, will help keep the strawberries intact and prevent them from bleeding too much color into the batter.

Step 7: Pour Batter into Loaf Pan

Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan and spread it evenly. If desired, sprinkle some extra chopped nuts on top for added visual appeal and crunch.

Step 8: Bake the Bread

Bake in the preheated oven for 50-60 minutes, or until a wooden skewer inserted into the center comes out clean or with just a few moist crumbs attached. The baking time may vary depending on your oven, so it’s always best to check for doneness with a skewer. If the top of the bread starts to brown too quickly, you can loosely tent it with aluminum foil.

Step 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 properly, preventing it from crumbling when you slice it. Make sure the bread is completely cool before slicing to prevent it from becoming gummy.

Tips for the Perfect Strawberry Nut Bread

• Use Fresh, Ripe Strawberries: The quality of your strawberries will significantly impact the flavor of the bread. Choose fresh, ripe strawberries that are fragrant and brightly colored.
• Don’t Overmix the Batter: Overmixing develops the gluten in the flour, resulting in a tough bread. Mix until just combined.
• Toast the Nuts: Toasting the nuts before adding them to the batter enhances their flavor and adds a more pronounced crunch. You can toast them in a dry skillet over medium heat or in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for 5-7 minutes.
• Adjust Sweetness to Your Preference: If you prefer a less sweet bread, you can reduce the amount of sugar slightly.
• Let the Bread Cool Completely: Slicing the bread while it’s still warm can result in a gummy texture. Allow it to cool completely before slicing.
• Add a Glaze (Optional): For an extra touch of sweetness, you can drizzle a simple glaze over the cooled bread. Mix powdered sugar with a little milk or lemon juice until you reach your desired consistency.

Variations and Adaptations

This strawberry nut bread recipe is easily adaptable to your preferences. Here are a few variations to try:

• Other Fruits: Substitute the strawberries with other berries like blueberries, raspberries, or blackberries. You can also use chopped peaches or nectarines.
• Different Nuts: Experiment with different types of nuts like almonds, hazelnuts, or macadamia nuts.
• Chocolate Chips: Add 1/2 cup of chocolate chips to the batter for a chocolatey twist.
• Lemon Zest: Add the zest of one lemon to the batter for a bright, citrusy flavor.
• Spices: Experiment with different spices like nutmeg, cardamom, or ginger.
• Vegan Option: Substitute the butter with vegan butter, the eggs with flax eggs (1 tablespoon ground flaxseed mixed with 3 tablespoons water per egg), and the buttermilk with almond milk or soy milk mixed with 1 tablespoon of lemon juice or vinegar.

Serving Suggestions

Strawberry nut bread is delicious on its own, but here are a few serving suggestions to elevate your experience:

• Plain: Enjoy a slice of warm strawberry nut bread as is, with a cup of coffee or tea.
• Toasted with Butter: Toast a slice of bread and spread it with butter for a simple and satisfying breakfast.
• Cream Cheese: Spread with cream cheese for a creamy and tangy treat.
• Ricotta Cheese and Honey: Top with ricotta cheese and drizzle with honey for a sweet and decadent dessert.
• Strawberry Jam: Enhance the strawberry flavor with a dollop of strawberry jam.
• As French Toast: Slice the bread and use it to make French toast for a luxurious breakfast or brunch.
• Grilled with Cheese: Try grilling a slice of the bread with cheese for a sweet and savory snack.

Storage Instructions

To keep your strawberry nut bread fresh, store it properly:

• Room Temperature: Store the cooled 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.
• Freezer: To freeze the bread, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and then in aluminum foil. Freeze for up to 2-3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before serving.

Troubleshooting Common Problems

• Bread is too dry: Make sure you are measuring the flour correctly (spoon and level). Also, avoid overbaking the bread.
• Bread is too dense: Avoid overmixing the batter. Make sure your baking powder and baking soda are fresh.
• Bread is not rising: Make sure your baking powder and baking soda are fresh. Ensure the oven temperature is accurate.
• Strawberries are sinking to the bottom: Toss the strawberries with a tablespoon of flour before folding them into the batter. This helps them stay suspended.
• Bread is burning on top: Tent the loaf pan loosely with aluminum foil during the last 15-20 minutes of baking.

Nutritional Information (Approximate per slice)

Note: This is an estimate and may vary based on specific ingredients and portion sizes.

• Calories: 250-300
• Fat: 12-15g
• Saturated Fat: 6-8g
• Cholesterol: 40-50mg
• Sodium: 200-250mg
• Carbohydrates: 35-40g
• Fiber: 1-2g
• Sugar: 15-20g
• Protein: 3-4g

Final Thoughts

Strawberry nut bread is a delightful treat that’s perfect for any occasion. With its sweet and fruity flavor, satisfying crunch, and moist, tender crumb, it’s sure to become a family favorite. So, gather your ingredients, preheat your oven, and get ready to bake a loaf of happiness!

Recipe Card

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Strawberry Nut Bread

Yields: 1 loaf
Prep time: 20 minutes
Cook time: 50-60 minutes

Ingredients

• 3 cups (360g) all-purpose flour
• 3 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 cup (113g) unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup (200g) granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup (100g) packed brown sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 cup (240ml) buttermilk
• 1 1/2 cups fresh strawberries, hulled and chopped
• 1 cup chopped nuts (pecans, walnuts, or a mix)

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour or line a 9×5 inch loaf pan.
2. In a large bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon.
3. In a separate bowl, cream together butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy.
4. Beat in eggs one at a time, then stir in vanilla.
5. Gradually add dry ingredients to wet ingredients, alternating with buttermilk, beginning and ending with dry ingredients. Mix until just combined.
6. Gently fold in strawberries and nuts.
7. Pour batter into prepared loaf 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.

Enjoy your delicious strawberry nut bread!