Delicious Strawberry Walnut Bread: An Easy & Flavorful Quick Bread Recipe
Strawberry Walnut Bread – a truly delicious quick bread bursting with fresh strawberries and crunchy walnuts. This recipe is incredibly easy to make, resulting in a light, tender loaf packed with vibrant flavor. Perfect for any time of day!
There’s something inherently comforting and utterly irresistible about homemade bread. As someone who absolutely adores baked goods, especially breads and muffins, I often find myself in the kitchen whipping up new recipes. It’s my delightful weakness – a craving for those sweet, satisfying bites that bring warmth and joy. Whether it’s a small nibble as I pass through the kitchen or a more substantial slice with my morning coffee, the calories somehow seem to magically disappear when it’s a treat you’ve made with your own hands, right?
This Strawberry Walnut Bread is an absolute gem in the world of quick breads. It’s a delightful blend of fresh, sweet strawberries and earthy, crunchy walnuts, all nestled in a moist and tender loaf. This isn’t just a recipe; it’s an invitation to fill your home with the most incredible aromas and your plate with a truly memorable treat. It’s perfect for breakfast, brunch, an afternoon snack, or even a light dessert.
The Magic of Quick Bread: Effortless Baking at its Best
The beauty of quick bread lies in its name: it’s quick! Unlike traditional yeast breads that require proofing and kneading, quick breads use leavening agents like baking soda and baking powder, making the process wonderfully straightforward and much faster. There’s no waiting for dough to rise, no complex techniques to master – just simple mixing, baking, and enjoying. This makes quick bread an ideal choice for both novice bakers and seasoned pros looking for a fuss-free yet incredibly rewarding baking experience.
This Strawberry Walnut Quick Bread perfectly embodies that magic. Despite its simplicity, the outcome is always a perfect, beautifully domed loaf that’s tender on the inside and slightly golden on the outside. I’ve made banana bread countless times, but incorporating chopped fresh fruit like strawberries adds a whole new dimension of flavor and texture that’s simply irresistible. The combination of sweet strawberries and savory walnuts creates a harmonious balance that makes every bite a delightful surprise.
It’s flavorful, light, nutty, and wonderfully fruity. This loaf truly captures the essence of summer, making it an ideal treat to snack on or share with loved ones. It’s versatile enough to be served at a brunch gathering, packed in lunchboxes, or enjoyed as a delightful accompaniment to your afternoon tea or coffee.
Key Ingredients for an Unforgettable Loaf
Crafting the perfect Strawberry Walnut Bread starts with selecting high-quality ingredients. Each component plays a vital role in achieving that moist texture, delightful flavor, and perfect balance.
Fresh Strawberries: The Star Sweetener
The star of this quick bread is undoubtedly the fresh strawberries. When in season, ripe strawberries offer a natural sweetness and a hint of tartness that beautifully cuts through the richness of the bread. Chopping them into small pieces ensures an even distribution of fruity goodness throughout the loaf, providing a burst of juicy flavor in every bite. While fresh is always best, if strawberries aren’t in season, you can use frozen strawberries. Just be sure to thaw them and drain any excess liquid to prevent the bread from becoming too soggy. The vibrant color and natural sweetness of strawberries also make this bread particularly appealing and refreshing.
Walnuts: Adding Texture and Earthy Notes
Toasted walnuts are the perfect counterpart to the sweet strawberries. Toasting the walnuts before adding them to the batter enhances their natural nutty flavor and adds a wonderful crunch that contrasts with the soft bread. Walnuts are also packed with healthy fats and nutrients, adding a wholesome element to this delicious treat. If you’re not a fan of walnuts, pecans or even a mix of nuts could be a delightful alternative, but the classic combination of strawberries and walnuts is hard to beat for its balanced flavor and texture profile.
Buttermilk: The Secret to Supreme Moisture
Buttermilk is a hero ingredient in many quick bread recipes, and for good reason. Its acidity reacts with the baking soda, creating a light and tender crumb. Beyond its leavening power, buttermilk also contributes to a wonderfully moist texture and a subtle tang that complements the fruit and nuts. If you don’t have buttermilk on hand, don’t worry! You can easily make a substitute by adding a tablespoon of lemon juice or white vinegar to regular milk and letting it sit for a few minutes until it slightly curdles. This simple trick ensures you can still achieve that perfect texture and flavor.
Sweetener Choices: Truvia or Sugar
This recipe offers flexibility with sweeteners, allowing you to use either Truvia or traditional granulated sugar. Truvia, a natural, calorie-free sweetener, can help reduce the sugar content without sacrificing sweetness, making it a great option for those looking to enjoy a slightly lighter treat. If you prefer the classic taste and texture that granulated sugar provides, that option is also available. Whichever you choose, the goal is to achieve a bread that’s perfectly sweet without being overpowering, allowing the natural flavors of the strawberries and walnuts to shine.
Baking Your Perfect Loaf: Tips for Success
Making this Strawberry Walnut Bread is a simple process, but a few tips can elevate your baking experience and ensure a flawless loaf every time.
- **Prepare Your Pan:** Don’t skip lining your loaf pan with parchment paper and giving it a good spray with nonstick cooking spray. This guarantees easy removal of your beautiful bread once it’s baked and cooled.
- **Toasting Walnuts:** As mentioned, toasting the walnuts in a small pan over medium-low heat brings out their rich, nutty flavor. Keep a close eye on them, stirring frequently, as they can burn quickly. Once fragrant, remove them from the heat and let them cool before chopping. This step is a flavor game-changer!
- **Mixing Wet and Dry:** The key to a tender quick bread is to avoid overmixing. Beat the wet ingredients (egg, egg white, sugar, buttermilk, vanilla) until just combined and frothy. In a separate bowl, whisk together the dry ingredients (flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg). Then, gently fold the dry into the wet mixture. Stop mixing as soon as no dry streaks of flour remain. Overmixing develops the gluten in the flour, leading to a tough, dense bread instead of a light and fluffy one.
- **Gentle Folding of Inclusions:** Once the batter is just combined, gently fold in the melted coconut oil (or canola oil), chopped strawberries, and toasted walnuts. You want these delicious additions to be evenly distributed but without further working the batter.
- **Baking to Perfection:** Bake until a toothpick inserted into the center of the loaf comes out clean. Ovens can vary, so keep an eye on your bread, especially towards the end of the baking time. The aroma filling your kitchen will be an excellent indicator of its progress!
- **Cooling is Crucial:** Allow the bread to cool in the pan for about 15 minutes before carefully removing it to a wire rack to cool completely. This prevents the bottom from becoming soggy and allows the internal structure of the bread to set properly.
Strawberry Walnut Bread
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Ingredients
- 1 egg
- 1 egg white
- 1/4 cup + 2 Tbsp. Truvia or 3/4 cup sugar
- 1/4 cup low-fat buttermilk*
- 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
- 1 1/2 cups flour
- 1/2 tsp. baking soda
- 1/4 tsp. salt
- 1/2 Tbsp. ground cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp. ground nutmeg
- 2 Tbsp. + 2 tsp. coconut oil melted and cooled or canola oil
- 1 cup strawberries chopped
- 1/4 cup walnuts toasted and chopped
Instructions
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Preheat oven to 350º F. Cut a piece of parchment paper to fit in the bottom of a 9×5 loaf pan and spray the entire pan with nonstick cooking spray. Set aside.
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In a small pan, stir and toast walnuts over medium-low heat, being careful not to burn them. Pull off heat and set aside to cool.
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In a large bowl, beat together the egg and egg white until frothy. Add the sugar, buttermilk and vanilla and beat again.
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In a separate bowl, combine the flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Add the flour mixture to the wet mixture and stir to combine.
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Lightly stir in the oil and then fold in the chopped strawberries and chopped toasted walnuts. Stir until just combined. Pour into loaf pan and smooth top down evenly. Bake for 40-45 minutes, or until toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean. Cool in the pan for 15 minutes and then remove loaf and devour. 🙂 Enjoy!
Notes
Nutrition
Serving Suggestions and Variations
This Strawberry Walnut Bread is delightful on its own, but there are many ways to enjoy it and even customize it to your liking!
Serving Ideas:
- **Breakfast or Brunch:** Slice it thick and serve with a dollop of Greek yogurt or a smear of cream cheese. It pairs wonderfully with a hot cup of coffee or a refreshing glass of iced tea.
- **Afternoon Snack:** A slice of this bread is the perfect pick-me-up.
- **Dessert:** Warm a slice gently and serve with a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream or a drizzle of chocolate sauce for an elevated treat.
- **Hostess Gift:** Wrap a freshly baked loaf in parchment paper and tie it with a ribbon for a thoughtful and delicious homemade gift.
Creative Variations:
- **Add a Glaze:** For extra sweetness and a beautiful finish, whisk together powdered sugar with a little lemon juice or milk and drizzle over the cooled loaf.
- **Spice It Up:** While cinnamon and nutmeg are lovely, consider adding a pinch of cardamom or ginger for an extra layer of warm spice.
- **Different Nuts:** If walnuts aren’t your favorite, try pecans, almonds, or even macadamia nuts for a different nutty flavor and texture.
- **Mixed Berries:** Feel free to experiment with other berries like blueberries or raspberries alongside or in place of strawberries. A mixed berry and walnut quick bread would be equally delicious!
- **Chocolate Chips:** For a decadent twist, fold in a handful of white chocolate chips or dark chocolate chunks with the fruit and nuts.
Storage Tips:
To keep your Strawberry Walnut Bread fresh, store it in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3-4 days. For longer storage, you can wrap the cooled loaf tightly in plastic wrap and then in aluminum foil and freeze it for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature when ready to enjoy.
This recipe provides a wonderful balance of flavor and ease. With wholesome ingredients like fresh strawberries and walnuts, and the option for a sugar alternative, it’s a bread you can feel good about indulging in. The simple process and quick baking time mean you can have a warm, fragrant loaf ready in under an hour, making it perfect for those spontaneous baking cravings or last-minute guest arrivals.
I genuinely hope you enjoy baking and devouring this Strawberry Walnut Bread as much as I do. It’s a classic for a reason – bringing together timeless flavors in an easy-to-make package. Happy baking!
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