Strawberry Bread is a nostalgic treat commonly found in Southern American kitchens, where fruit-based quick breads are a staple of potlucks and family gatherings. This recipe, hand-written and passed down through generations, captures the essence of home baking with its simple ingredients and wholesome flavor. Frozen strawberries give the bread a burst of sweetness and moisture, while cinnamon adds a comforting spice note. Quick breads like this gained popularity during the 20th century due to their ease and versatility, often customized with different fruits or nuts. Perfect for breakfast, snacks, or dessert.
Ingredients
- 3 cups flour
- 2 cups sugar
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp baking soda
- ¼ cup oil
- 4 beaten eggs
- 10 oz frozen strawberries (thawed and undrained)
Instructions
Step 1: Preheat Oven
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Grease and flour two 9×5-inch loaf pans.
Step 2: Mix Dry Ingredients
- In a large bowl, combine flour, sugar, cinnamon, salt, and baking soda.
- Mix well to distribute evenly.
Step 3: Add Wet Ingredients
- Add oil and beaten eggs to the dry mixture.
- Stir until just combined.
Step 4: Add Strawberries
- Add the thawed frozen strawberries (with juices) to the batter.
- Mix gently until fully incorporated.
Step 5: Bake
- Divide the batter evenly between the two prepared loaf pans.
- Bake at 350°F for 1 hour or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
Step 6: Cool and Serve
- Let cool in pans for 10 minutes, then remove and cool completely on a wire rack.
Tips
- Substitute fresh strawberries for frozen when in season (use about 1 ½ cups mashed).
- Add ½ cup chopped pecans or walnuts for texture.
- For a lighter version, replace half the oil with unsweetened applesauce.
- A lemon glaze drizzle on top adds a bright, tangy twist.
- Wrap cooled loaves in foil for freezing up to 3 months.
Transcription of the Original Recipe
Read or copy the transcription
350° Irene Morgan 1 hr. Strawberry Bread 3 c flour ¼ c. oil 2 c sugar 4 beaten eggs 1 tsp cinnamon 1 - 10 oz frozen strawberries 1 tsp salt. 1 tsp baking soda. Mix together Makes 2 loaves Bake at 350° - 1 hr.
From Transcription to Instructions
That little slip from Irene is wonderfully to the point , just a list of ingredients, “Mix together” and “Bake at 350° , 1 hr.” So in our instructions we unpacked that single line into easy steps: preheat and grease two loaf pans, whisk the dry ingredients, stir in the oil and beaten eggs, then gently fold in the thawed frozen strawberries with their juices, divide the batter and bake, testing with a toothpick and letting the loaves rest a bit. We didn’t change amounts , we only spelled out the order and the pan and timing details so you won’t wonder when to add the berries or whether to grease the pans.
Nutrition
Calories: 310kcalCarbohydrates: 45gProtein: 4gFat: 13gSaturated Fat: 2gPolyunsaturated Fat: 4gMonounsaturated Fat: 7gCholesterol: 55mgSodium: 220mgPotassium: 95mgFiber: 1gSugar: 27gVitamin A: 150IUVitamin C: 10mgCalcium: 20mgIron: 1.3mg
