Strawberry Banana Bread

Strawberry Banana Bread is a delightful twist on the classic banana bread, infused with the sweetness of ripe bananas and the tartness of fresh strawberries. This moist and flavorful bread is perfect for breakfast, a snack, or even dessert. The combination of fruits creates a burst of flavor in every bite, making it a crowd-pleaser for all ages.

Ingredients

• 1 large egg
• ½ cup light brown sugar, packed
• ⅓ cup canola or vegetable oil (liquid-state coconut oil may be substituted)
• ¼ cup granulated sugar
• ¼ cup sour cream (lite is okay; or Greek yogurt may be substituted)
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1 ¼ cups all-purpose flour, plus additional if necessary (see instructions)
• ½ teaspoon baking powder
• ½ teaspoon baking soda
• ½ teaspoon salt, or to taste
• 1 cup mashed ripe bananas (about 2 large or 3 small bananas)
• 1 ½ cups fresh strawberries, quartered and tossed in 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour

Instructions

1. Prepare the Pan:

• Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
• Spray a 9×5-inch loaf pan with floured cooking spray, or grease and flour the pan. Note that the loaf won’t be very tall when baked in a 9×5 pan, but an 8×4 pan may be too small.

2. Mix Wet Ingredients:

• In a large bowl, whisk together the egg, light brown sugar, canola or vegetable oil, granulated sugar, sour cream (or Greek yogurt), and vanilla extract until well combined.

3. Add Dry Ingredients:

• Add 1 1/4 cups of flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt to the bowl.
• Fold gently with a spatula or stir lightly with a spoon until just combined. Be careful not to overmix.

4. Incorporate Bananas and Strawberries:

• Fold in the mashed bananas gently.
• Toss the quartered strawberries in 3 tablespoons of flour, then fold them gently into the batter. The batter should be thick; if it’s not, add up to 1/4 cup more flour as needed. Strawberries will release water during baking, so a thicker batter is preferable.

5. Bake the Bread:

• Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan, smoothing the top with a spatula.
• Bake for 55 to 65 minutes, or until the top is golden and the center is set. A toothpick inserted in the center should come out clean or with a few moist crumbs, but not wet batter. (I baked mine for 60 minutes.)

6. Cool and Serve:

• Allow the bread to cool in the pan for about 15 minutes.
• Transfer the bread to a wire rack to cool completely before slicing and serving.

Tips

• Choosing Ripe Bananas: Ensure your bananas are ripe for the best flavor and natural sweetness.
• Strawberry Preparation: Tossing strawberries in flour helps prevent them from sinking to the bottom of the batter.
• Batter Consistency: The batter should be thick to account for the moisture released by the strawberries during baking. Add additional flour if necessary.
• Cooling: Let the bread cool completely before slicing to prevent it from crumbling.

Enjoy this delicious Strawberry Banana Bread with a cup of tea or coffee for a comforting and flavorful treat!