If you’re searching for a delightful twist on classic quick bread, this Fresh Strawberry Bread Recipe is an absolute must-try. Bursting with juicy, vibrant strawberries folded into a tender, warmly spiced crumb, this bread captures the essence of spring and early summer in every bite. It’s wonderfully moist, naturally sweet, and offers that cozy homemade charm that will have everyone reaching for seconds. Whether it’s for breakfast, afternoon tea, or an anytime treat, this Fresh Strawberry Bread Recipe delivers comfort and joy in loaf form, making it one of my favorite go-to recipes to share with friends and family.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Let’s talk about the simple yet essential ingredients that make this bread sing. Each component plays a key role—from the fragrant spices adding warmth, to the fresh strawberries bringing brightness and color, and the creamy sour cream ensuring moisture for that perfect tender crumb.
- 3 cups all-purpose flour: Provides the sturdy base and structure your bread needs.
- 1 teaspoon baking soda: Acts as the leavening agent for a light, airy texture.
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon: Adds a comforting, sweet spice note that complements the strawberries beautifully.
- 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg: Brings out a subtle warmth that enhances the overall flavor.
- 1/4 teaspoon salt: Balances sweetness and intensifies the other flavors.
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened: Creates richness and tenderness in the bread.
- 2 cups granulated sugar: Provides sweet flavor and helps with moist texture.
- 4 large eggs: Bind ingredients and add richness with a lovely golden color.
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract: Infuses a fragrant sweetness that complements the strawberries.
- 1 cup sour cream: Adds moisture and a slight tang, giving the bread a tender crumb.
- 2 cups fresh strawberries, hulled and chopped: The star ingredient delivering juicy bursts of flavor and beautiful color throughout.
- 1/2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans (optional): Adds a delightful crunch and nutty depth if you’re feeling a little extra.
How to Make Fresh Strawberry Bread Recipe
Step 1: Prepare the Dry Ingredients
Begin by whisking together your flour, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt in a large bowl. This step evenly distributes your leavening and spices, ensuring every bite has just the right balance of flavor and texture.
Step 2: Cream Butter and Sugar
In a separate bowl, cream the softened butter together with the granulated sugar until the mixture is light, pale, and fluffy. This aeration is essential—it helps create a soft, tender crumb in your strawberry bread that practically melts in your mouth.
Step 3: Add Eggs and Vanilla
Beat in the eggs one at a time to keep your batter smooth and well emulsified. Then, fold in the vanilla extract for that subtle, irresistible aroma that fills your kitchen and makes the bread feel like a warm hug.
Step 4: Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients
Now comes the important part: gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ones, alternating with sour cream. Start and finish with the dry ingredients. This careful mixing prevents overworking the batter, so your bread stays tender and moist, not dense.
Step 5: Fold in Strawberries and Nuts
Gently fold in the chopped fresh strawberries and nuts if you’re using them. The fresh fruit adds juicy pockets of brightness, while the nuts provide a lovely textural contrast—just don’t overmix or the strawberries will break down and turn your batter too pink!
Step 6: Preheat Oven and Prepare Pan
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease plus flour a 9×5 inch loaf pan. This step ensures your bread bakes evenly and releases easily once done, helping keep those perfect edges intact.
Step 7: Pour Batter and Bake
Pour your luscious batter into the prepared pan and smooth the top. Pop it in the oven and bake for 50 to 60 minutes. You’ll know it’s ready when a wooden skewer inserted into the center comes out clean, signaling that moist, fragrant strawberry bread perfection.
Step 8: Cool and Serve
Allow the bread to cool in the pan for 10-15 minutes before transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely. This resting time firms it up, making slicing easier and preventing crumbs everywhere. Once cooled, slice up and get ready to enjoy.
How to Serve Fresh Strawberry Bread Recipe
Garnishes
Consider adding a light dusting of powdered sugar for an elegant touch or a thin spread of softened butter that melts into every slice. For a fresh look and flavor, top with a few thin strawberry slices or even a dollop of whipped cream if you’re feeling fancy.
Side Dishes
This bread is fantastic on its own, but pairing it with a side of creamy yogurt or a cup of your favorite tea brings out its best personality. Fresh fruit salad on the side also complements the strawberry flavor delightfully without overwhelming the palate.
Creative Ways to Present
If you want to make a brunch spread truly shine, slice the bread and toast it lightly before serving. Add cream cheese or flavored spreads like honey lavender for something unexpected. You could even make mini strawberry bread “sandwiches” with mascarpone and fresh berries for a playful twist.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Wrap your fresh strawberry bread tightly in plastic wrap or store it in an airtight container at room temperature for up to three days. This keeps it moist and fresh—perfect if you want to enjoy it over a few days without losing that just-baked texture.
Freezing
This bread freezes beautifully! Wrap the entire loaf or individual slices tightly in plastic wrap and then foil, or place them in a freezer-safe bag. Frozen strawberry bread lasts up to three months and thaws quickly at room temperature for a convenient treat anytime.
Reheating
To revive day-old strawberry bread, gently warm slices in a toaster oven or regular oven at low heat for just a few minutes. This brings back that freshly-baked softness and enhances the aroma of those juicy berries and warm spices in every bite.
FAQs
Can I use frozen strawberries instead of fresh?
While fresh strawberries are best for their texture and flavor, you can use frozen strawberries if that’s what you have. Just be sure to thaw and drain them well to prevent your bread batter from becoming too watery.
Is it necessary to use sour cream?
Sour cream adds moisture and tenderness that’s hard to replicate. If you don’t have it, plain Greek yogurt is a decent substitute, but the texture and slight tang from sour cream really enhance the bread’s richness.
Can I make this recipe nut-free?
Absolutely! The nuts are completely optional and can be omitted if you have allergies or prefer a smoother crumb. The bread will still be delicious and strawberry-packed.
How long does the Fresh Strawberry Bread Recipe stay fresh?
Stored properly at room temperature in an airtight container, this bread stays fresh for about three days. Beyond that, refrigeration or freezing helps maintain quality and flavor.
What’s the best way to slice the bread?
Use a serrated knife and cut gently with a sawing motion to preserve the tender crumb and prevent squashing. Letting the bread cool thoroughly before slicing really helps give you clean, pretty slices.
Final Thoughts
This Fresh Strawberry Bread Recipe has quickly become a beloved favorite for good reason. It’s simple to make, packed with fresh fruit, and offers delicious warmth from the spices that make each slice feel like a cozy celebration of flavor. I encourage you to gather your ingredients and give this recipe a go—there’s nothing quite like the joy of biting into homemade strawberry bread that’s bursting with love and season’s best berries.
Print
Fresh Strawberry Bread Recipe
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
- Yield: 1 (9×5 inch) loaf
- Category: Bread
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
This Fresh Strawberry Bread is a moist, flavorful loaf packed with juicy strawberries and a hint of warm spices. Perfect for breakfast, snack time, or dessert, this easy-to-make bread combines the sweetness of fresh fruit with a tender crumb, enhanced by cinnamon and nutmeg. The optional addition of chopped nuts adds a delightful crunch. Baked in a traditional loaf pan, it’s the ultimate homemade treat for strawberry lovers.
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Wet Ingredients
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 4 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup sour cream
Additional
- 2 cups fresh strawberries, hulled and chopped
- 1/2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, and salt until they are well combined.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a separate mixing bowl, beat the softened unsalted butter and granulated sugar together until the mixture is light, creamy, and fluffy, which usually takes several minutes using a mixer at medium speed.
- Add Eggs and Vanilla: Beat in the eggs one at a time to the butter and sugar mixture, ensuring each egg is fully incorporated before adding the next. Then stir in the vanilla extract to infuse flavor.
- Combine Wet and Dry: Gradually add the dry ingredient mixture to the wet ingredients, alternating with the sour cream. Begin and end with the dry ingredients. Mix gently until just combined to avoid overmixing and keep the bread tender.
- Fold in Strawberries and Nuts: Carefully fold in the chopped fresh strawberries and the optional chopped walnuts or pecans, dispersing them evenly throughout the batter without crushing the strawberries.
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) to the correct temperature before baking the bread.
- Prepare Pan: Grease and lightly flour a 9×5 inch loaf pan to ensure the bread does not stick and releases easily after baking.
- Pour Batter: Pour the prepared batter into the greased loaf pan, spreading it evenly with a spatula to create a smooth top.
- Bake: Bake the bread in the preheated oven for 50 to 60 minutes. Check doneness by inserting a wooden skewer or toothpick into the center of the loaf; if it comes out clean, the bread is ready.
- Cool: Allow the bread to cool in the pan for 10 to 15 minutes, then gently remove it from the pan and place it on a wire rack to cool completely to prevent sogginess.
- Serve: Slice and serve the strawberry bread as is or enjoy it with butter, cream cheese, or your favorite jam for added richness.
Notes
- Using fresh strawberries is key to the best flavor and texture; avoid using frozen as they can release too much moisture.
- Do not overmix the batter once dry ingredients are added to keep the bread tender and soft.
- Ensure the butter is softened but not melted for proper creaming with the sugar.
- You can substitute walnuts with pecans or omit nuts altogether for a nut-free version.
- Store leftover bread in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or freeze for longer storage.
