Bursting with juicy berries and a delicate crumb, Fresh Strawberry Bread is the ultimate treat for spring and summer. This easy loaf captures the bright flavor of fresh strawberries inside a soft, golden bread, making it perfect for breakfast, brunch, or a midday snack. Imagine the aroma of sweet berries wafting through your kitchen as the loaf bakes – it’s pure happiness in every slice. Whether you enjoy it warm out of the oven or impressed at a potluck, Fresh Strawberry Bread always delivers comfort and cheer.
Ingredients You’ll Need
All it takes is a handful of familiar, simple ingredients to create a truly irresistible Fresh Strawberry Bread. Each element brings something unique – texture, flavor, moisture, or color – so don’t skip or substitute too much!
- All-purpose flour: This forms the base, ensuring a soft but sturdy structure that holds up to juicy berries.
- Granulated sugar: Delivers sweetness and helps the bread brown beautifully in the oven.
- Baking soda: Teams up with baking powder to give a gentle lift, making the loaf tender and light.
- Baking powder: Enhances the rise for a fluffy, bakery-style bread.
- Salt: Balances the sweetness and sharpens the strawberry flavor.
- Eggs: The binding magic! Eggs create structure and richness in every bite.
- Vegetable oil: Keeps the crumb moist and tender, even days after baking.
- Sour cream or plain Greek yogurt: Adds a subtle tang and loads the batter with extra moisture.
- Vanilla extract: Rounds out the flavor and gives a bakery-style aroma.
- Fresh strawberries: The star element! Pick the juiciest, ripest berries you can find, as they’ll add bursts of fruitiness.
- Extra flour (for tossing strawberries): This tricks keeps the berries from sinking to the bottom of your loaf.
How to Make Fresh Strawberry Bread
Step 1: Prep Your Pan and Oven
Start off strong by preheating your oven to 350°F. Grease and flour a 9×5-inch loaf pan or save time and mess by lining it with parchment paper. This step is your best friend for easy removal and a perfectly shaped loaf.
Step 2: Mix the Dry Ingredients
In your largest mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, granulated sugar, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Whisking well at this stage ensures that every slice of Fresh Strawberry Bread has the perfect texture and rise.
Step 3: Whisk the Wet Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk together the eggs, vegetable oil, sour cream (or Greek yogurt), and vanilla extract until smooth and creamy. This combination brings richness and keeps every bite moist and tender.
Step 4: Prep the Strawberries
Chop your fresh strawberries into bite-size pieces, then toss them with 2 tablespoons of flour. This quick trick keeps them evenly suspended throughout the loaf, creating colorful strawberry pockets without sinking.
Step 5: Bring It All Together
Pour the wet ingredients over the flour mixture. Stir gently, just until combined — don’t worry if you see a few streaks of flour. Overmixing can make the bread tough rather than tender, so be gentle! Fold in the floured strawberries last for beautiful bursts of fruit.
Step 6: Bake the Bread
Scoop the batter into your prepared loaf pan, smoothing the top. Bake for 50 to 60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Your kitchen is about to smell incredible! Let it cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to finish cooling before slicing.
How to Serve Fresh Strawberry Bread
Garnishes
One of the best finishing touches for Fresh Strawberry Bread is a drizzle of simple glaze made from powdered sugar and milk. For extra flair, sprinkle fresh strawberry slices or a dusting of powdered sugar on top – it’s as pretty as it is flavorful!
Side Dishes
Pair slices with creamy Greek yogurt and a handful of nuts for a balanced breakfast, or serve alongside a fruit salad bursting with seasonal berries if you’re going the brunch route. For dessert, a scoop of vanilla ice cream makes it a showstopper.
Creative Ways to Present
Try baking Fresh Strawberry Bread as mini loaves or muffins for grab-and-go treats, or cut thick slices into cubes and use them in a berry trifle layered with whipped cream and more fresh strawberries. Each presentation makes the bread feel like a brand-new treat.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Wrap any extra Fresh Strawberry Bread snugly in plastic wrap or store it in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. For longer freshness, keep it in the refrigerator for up to 5 days, always tightly sealed to lock in moisture.
Freezing
Freeze slices (or even the whole loaf) by wrapping tightly in two layers of plastic wrap and slipping it into a freezer bag. It will keep beautifully for up to 3 months; just thaw at room temperature when you’re ready for a taste of summer.
Reheating
For the freshest flavor, warm slices of Fresh Strawberry Bread in the microwave for about 10–15 seconds, or toast gently for a few minutes. This brings back the delightful softness and makes the berry aroma pop again.
FAQs
Can I use frozen strawberries instead of fresh?
Yes, you can substitute frozen strawberries, but thaw them and pat them dry first to prevent excess moisture in the bread. Frozen berries may color the batter slightly more, but the flavor will still shine.
How can I make this bread dairy-free?
Simply use a dairy-free yogurt in place of the sour cream or Greek yogurt, and double-check that your vanilla extract is dairy-free. The texture will remain beautifully moist!
What’s the best way to keep strawberries from sinking?
Tossing the chopped berries with flour before folding them into the batter is key. It helps them stay evenly distributed in your Fresh Strawberry Bread and prevents a soggy bottom.
Can I add nuts or chocolate chips?
Absolutely! Chopped pecans, walnuts, or even mini chocolate chips add fun texture and a twist of flavor that complements the strawberries perfectly. Just don’t overload the batter so the loaf bakes through properly.
Is this recipe suitable for muffins or mini loaves?
Yes! Divide the batter among muffin tins or mini loaf pans and adjust the baking time (about 20–25 minutes for muffins), checking with a toothpick for doneness.
Final Thoughts
If you’ve never baked with fresh berries before, let this Fresh Strawberry Bread be your gateway – it’s easy, endlessly delicious, and guaranteed to brighten your day. Share a slice (or two!) with someone you love, and enjoy the simple, sweet magic of homemade goodness.
Print
Fresh Strawberry Bread Recipe
- Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
- Yield: 10 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Delight in the freshness of summer with this irresistible Fresh Strawberry Bread. Bursting with juicy strawberries, this moist and tender bread is perfect for breakfast or as a sweet snack.
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
Wet Ingredients:
- 2 large eggs
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil
- 1/2 cup sour cream or plain Greek yogurt
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Additional:
- 1 1/2 cups fresh strawberries (hulled and chopped)
- 2 tbsp all-purpose flour (for tossing strawberries)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease and flour a 9×5-inch loaf pan or line with parchment paper.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together 2 cups flour, sugar, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.
- Prepare Wet Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk eggs, oil, sour cream, and vanilla until smooth.
- Prep Strawberries: Gently toss chopped strawberries with 2 tablespoons flour to prevent them from sinking.
- Combine Ingredients: Add wet ingredients to dry ingredients and stir just until combined. Fold in strawberries.
- Bake: Pour batter into prepared loaf pan and bake for 50–60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Cool and Serve: Cool in pan for 10 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
Notes
- For extra sweetness, drizzle with a simple glaze made from powdered sugar and milk once the bread has cooled.
- This bread can be stored at room temperature for 2 days or refrigerated for up to 5 days.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 55 minutes
- Category: Breakfast, Dessert, Snack
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 18 g
- Sodium: 180 mg
- Fat: 11 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 35 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 35 mg
