Moist Strawberry Bread Recipe

Strawberry bread is one of those delightful treats that feels like a little slice of summer, no matter when you make it. It’s soft, moist, and bursting with fresh strawberry flavor, all wrapped up in a lightly spiced, vanilla-scented loaf. And let’s not forget the sweet strawberry glaze that takes it to the next level! Whether you enjoy it as a breakfast treat, an afternoon snack, or a simple dessert, this homemade strawberry bread will quickly become a favorite in your kitchen.

Moist Strawberry Bread Recipe

A sweet memory in every slice

The first time I baked strawberry bread, I had an overflowing basket of fresh-picked strawberries from a local farm. I had already made jam, added them to salads, and blended them into smoothies, but I wanted something cozy and baked. That’s when I decided to try my hand at a simple, fruity bread.

The aroma of vanilla, cinnamon, and fresh strawberries filled my kitchen, and I knew I was onto something special. When I sliced into that warm loaf, the strawberries had turned into little pockets of jammy goodness, and the crumb was tender and rich. I drizzled on the glaze, took my first bite, and immediately knew this recipe was a keeper.

A little background on strawberry bread

Strawberry bread isn’t as well-known as banana bread or zucchini bread, but it deserves just as much love. Quick breads like this one became especially popular in American baking in the early 20th century, when home bakers started using chemical leaveners like baking powder instead of yeast. The beauty of a strawberry loaf is that it captures the essence of fresh strawberries in a form that’s easy to slice and share. Over time, different versions have emerged, with some adding nuts, swapping in yogurt, or even using dried strawberries for a more concentrated flavor.

Let’s talk ingredients: what makes this loaf so good?

Fresh strawberries

These are the star of the show, bringing natural sweetness and a beautiful pop of color. Make sure to use ripe, juicy strawberries for the best flavor. If fresh ones aren’t available, frozen strawberries work too—just thaw and drain them first to avoid excess moisture.

Flour

All-purpose flour gives the bread structure. If you want to experiment, you can use half whole wheat flour for a nuttier taste, but the loaf will be slightly denser.

Granulated sugar

Sweetens the bread while helping to keep it moist. If you like a less sweet loaf, you can reduce it slightly or use coconut sugar for a deeper flavor.

Vegetable oil

Keeps the bread tender and moist. I prefer oil over butter in this recipe because it makes the crumb extra soft. If you’d rather use butter, melt it before mixing.

Milk

Adds moisture and richness. Whole milk gives the best texture, but you can also use almond or oat milk for a dairy-free version.

Lemon zest

Brightens up the flavor and pairs beautifully with the strawberries. If you’re out of lemons, orange zest is a great substitute.

Cinnamon

A little bit of warmth enhances the sweetness of the strawberries. If cinnamon isn’t your thing, you can leave it out or swap in nutmeg for a subtle twist.

Vanilla extract

Brings a warm, sweet aroma that ties everything together. Use pure vanilla extract for the best flavor!

Baking powder

Helps the bread rise and gives it a light texture. Be sure your baking powder is fresh, or the bread might not rise properly.

Kosher salt

A tiny bit balances out the sweetness and brings out the flavors of the other ingredients.

Moist Strawberry Bread Recipe

What you’ll need in the kitchen

This recipe is pretty straightforward, but a few kitchen tools will make the process even easier:

  • Mixing bowls – One for wet ingredients, one for dry.
  • Whisk – Helps combine everything smoothly.
  • Spatula – Great for folding in the strawberries without overmixing.
  • Loaf pan – A standard 9×5-inch pan works best.
  • Parchment paper – Makes it easy to lift the loaf out after baking.
  • Toothpick – For testing doneness.

Step-by-step: how to make the perfect strawberry bread

1. Prep the oven and pan

Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F). Line your loaf pan with parchment paper, leaving some overhang for easy removal.

2. Mix the wet ingredients

In a large bowl, whisk together the vegetable oil, egg, granulated sugar, milk, vanilla extract, and lemon zest. It should look smooth and slightly glossy.

3. Combine the dry ingredients

In another bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon.

4. Bring it all together

Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring gently. Stop mixing when there are just a few streaks of flour left.

5. Fold in the strawberries

Add the chopped strawberries and fold them in with a spatula. Be gentle—you don’t want to mash them. Overmixing at this stage can make the bread dense.

6. Bake to golden perfection

Pour the batter into your prepared loaf pan, spreading it evenly. If you want a pretty finish, sprinkle a few extra chopped strawberries on top. Bake for about 1 hour, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

7. Cool completely

Let the bread cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer it to a wire rack. Wait until it’s fully cool before adding the glaze (trust me, it’s worth the patience!).

Moist Strawberry Bread Recipe

The finishing touch: strawberry glaze

This glaze is optional, but highly recommended! Mash a few strawberries and mix them with powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and milk. Adjust the thickness by adding more powdered sugar if needed. Drizzle over the cooled bread and let it set for a few minutes before slicing.

Fun ways to change it up

  • Make it dairy-free – Swap the milk for almond or oat milk.
  • Go gluten-free – Use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend.
  • Add crunch – Mix in chopped pecans or walnuts.
  • Try a different glaze – A lemon glaze adds a fresh, tangy contrast.

How to serve and store your strawberry bread

Serve your bread warm or at room temperature. It pairs beautifully with coffee or tea. For extra indulgence, try spreading a little butter or cream cheese on a slice.

To store, wrap the loaf tightly in plastic wrap and keep it at room temperature for up to 3 days. For longer storage, refrigerate it for up to a week or freeze slices for up to 3 months.

Moist Strawberry Bread Recipe

FAQs

1. Can I use frozen strawberries?
Yes! Just thaw and drain them before adding them to the batter.

2. Can I make this into muffins?
Absolutely. Divide the batter into muffin cups and bake at 180°C (350°F) for about 20-25 minutes.

3. Why is my bread dense?
Overmixing the batter can make it tough. Stir just until everything is combined.

4. Can I skip the glaze?
Of course! The bread is delicious on its own, but the glaze adds extra sweetness.

5. Can I add chocolate chips?
Yes! White chocolate chips go especially well with strawberries.

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Moist Strawberry Bread Recipe

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This moist strawberry bread is packed with fresh strawberries and topped with a sweet glaze. A perfect treat for any time of day!

  • Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
  • Yield: 810 1x

Ingredients

Scale
  • ¾ cup Granulated sugar
  • 1 Egg
  •  teaspoon Kosher salt
  • 2 teaspoon Vanilla extract
  • ½ cup Vegetable oil
  • 1 teaspoon Lemon zest
  • ¾ cup Milk
  •  teaspoon Cinnamon
  • 2 cups Flour
  • 2 teaspoon Baking powder
  • 2 cups Strawberries chopped

Strawberry glaze

  •  cup Strawberries
  • 1 ½ cups Powdered sugar
  • ½ teaspoon Vanilla extract
  • 12 tablespoon Milk

Instructions

1. Prep the oven and pan

Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F). Line your loaf pan with parchment paper, leaving some overhang for easy removal.

2. Mix the wet ingredients

In a large bowl, whisk together the vegetable oil, egg, granulated sugar, milk, vanilla extract, and lemon zest. It should look smooth and slightly glossy.

3. Combine the dry ingredients

In another bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon.

4. Bring it all together

Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring gently. Stop mixing when there are just a few streaks of flour left.

5. Fold in the strawberries

Add the chopped strawberries and fold them in with a spatula. Be gentle—you don’t want to mash them. Overmixing at this stage can make the bread dense.

6. Bake to golden perfection

Pour the batter into your prepared loaf pan, spreading it evenly. If you want a pretty finish, sprinkle a few extra chopped strawberries on top. Bake for about 1 hour, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

7. Cool completely

Let the bread cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer it to a wire rack. Wait until it’s fully cool before adding the glaze (trust me, it’s worth the patience!).

Notes

How to serve and store your strawberry bread

Serve your bread warm or at room temperature. It pairs beautifully with coffee or tea. For extra indulgence, try spreading a little butter or cream cheese on a slice.

To store, wrap the loaf tightly in plastic wrap and keep it at room temperature for up to 3 days. For longer storage, refrigerate it for up to a week or freeze slices for up to 3 months.

  • Author: Nora
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 1 hour
  • Category: Dessert

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