Delicious Strawberry Banana Bread: A Perfectly Moist & Fruity Loaf

Indulge in a slice of homemade strawberry banana bread, a truly irresistible treat that brings together two classic fruit flavors. This recipe delivers a wonderfully soft and moist texture, studded with sweet strawberries and rich banana. It’s an easy-to-follow, comforting bake perfect for any time of day, guaranteed to become a family favorite. Get ready to enjoy this delightful loaf!

Why You’ll Love This Delicious Strawberry Banana Bread Recipe

• Moist and Tender Crumb: Every bite of this loaf is incredibly soft and never dry, thanks to ripe bananas and a balanced ingredient list. For more recipes with a moist and tender crumb, check out our collection.
• Fresh Fruit Flavor: The combination of sweet strawberries and creamy bananas creates a vibrant, natural taste that’s simply irresistible.
• Simple to Prepare: Even beginner bakers will find this strawberry banana bread straightforward. The steps are clear and the process is forgiving.
• Perfect for Ripe Bananas: It’s an excellent way to use up those spotty, overripe bananas sitting on your counter, transforming them into something delicious. Research into the science of baking with overripe bananas reveals their increased sugar content and moisture contribute to a superior crumb and flavor.
• Versatile Treat: Enjoy a slice for breakfast, as an afternoon snack, or even a simple dessert. It’s a comforting bake for any occasion.

Ingredients

To create your delicious strawberry banana bread, gather these simple items. Using quality ingredients ensures the best flavor and texture for your homemade loaf.

• ½ cup softened unsalted butter
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 3 ripe mashed bananas
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 1 ½ cups chopped strawberries
• 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour

Notes & Substitutions

Bananas: For the best flavor and moisture, use very ripe bananas with plenty of brown spots on their peels. This ensures maximum sweetness and easy mashing.

Room Temperature: Make sure your butter and eggs are at room temperature. This helps them cream together smoothly with the sugar, resulting in a lighter, fluffier batter.

Butter Alternatives: You can substitute unsalted butter with salted butter; just reduce the added salt in the recipe by ¼ teaspoon. Melted coconut oil or a neutral vegetable oil can also work for a dairy-free option.

Sugar Options: Feel free to use light brown sugar for a deeper, more caramel-like flavor, or coconut sugar for a less refined alternative. Adjust to your sweetness preference.

Strawberries: Fresh strawberries are ideal for this recipe. If using frozen strawberries, do not thaw them completely; toss them directly with flour and fold into the batter to prevent excess moisture.

Flour Types: While all-purpose flour works perfectly, you can experiment with half whole wheat flour for a slightly nuttier flavor and added fiber.

Equipment

You won’t need any fancy gadgets to make this delightful strawberry banana bread. These common kitchen tools are all you’ll need:

• Large mixing bowls
• Small mixing bowl
• Electric hand mixer (or a sturdy whisk)
• Two 9×5 inch loaf pans
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Wire cooling rack

Instructions

Baking a beautiful loaf of strawberry banana bread is a breeze with these step-by-step instructions. Follow along for a perfectly baked, moist, and flavorful treat every time.

1. Prepare Oven and Pans: Preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Lightly spray two 9×5 inch loaf pans with non-stick cooking spray and set them aside.
2. Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large mixing bowl, combine the softened ½ cup unsalted butter and 1 cup granulated sugar. Using an electric hand mixer, cream these ingredients together until the mixture is light and fluffy, usually for 2-3 minutes.
3. Add Eggs: In a small separate bowl, lightly beat the 2 large eggs with a fork. Gradually add the beaten eggs to the creamed butter and sugar mixture, mixing until they are fully combined.
4. Stir in Bananas: Add the 3 ripe mashed bananas to the sugar mixture. Mix thoroughly until the bananas are evenly incorporated throughout the batter.
5. Combine Dry Ingredients: Sift together the 2 cups all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon baking soda, and ½ teaspoon salt in a separate bowl. Sifting helps to aerate the flour and prevent lumps.
6. Add Dry to Wet: Slowly add the sifted flour mixture to the banana mixture. Mix until the flour is just combined and no dry streaks remain. Be careful not to overmix the batter, as this can lead to a tough loaf.
7. Prepare Strawberries: In a small bowl, toss the 1 ½ cups chopped strawberries with 1 tablespoon of all-purpose flour. This light coating helps prevent the strawberries from sinking to the bottom of your loaf during baking.
8. Fold in Strawberries: Gently fold the floured-covered strawberries into the batter using a spatula. Mix just enough to distribute the fruit evenly without crushing them.
9. Fill Pans: Divide the strawberry banana bread batter evenly between the two prepared loaf pans. Smooth the tops gently with your spatula.
10. Bake: Place the loaf pans in the preheated oven. Bake at 375 degrees Fahrenheit for 15 minutes.
11. Reduce Heat & Finish: After 15 minutes, reduce the oven temperature to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Continue baking for an additional 30 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown and a wooden skewer or toothpick inserted into the center of a loaf comes out clean.
12. Cool: Remove the loaves from the oven and let them cool in the pans for about 10-15 minutes. Then, carefully invert them onto a wire cooling rack to cool completely before slicing and serving.

Pro Tips & Troubleshooting

Banana Ripeness is Key: Always use very ripe bananas (peels should be mostly brown or black) for the best sweetness and moisture in your strawberry banana bread.

Do Not Overmix: Mixing the batter too much develops the gluten in the flour, resulting in a tough, dense bread. Mix until the ingredients are just combined.

Room Temperature Ingredients: Ensure butter and eggs are at room temperature. They emulsify better with other ingredients, creating a smoother, more uniform batter.

Flour Your Fruit: Tossing chopped strawberries with a bit of flour before adding them to the batter helps suspend them evenly throughout the loaf, preventing them from sinking.

Check Doneness Accurately: A toothpick inserted into the center should come out clean. If it’s gooey, bake for a few more minutes, checking frequently.

Cool Completely: For the best texture and clean slices, let your banana bread cool completely on a wire rack. Slicing too early can cause it to crumble.

Dry Bread: This often happens from overbaking or overmixing. Ensure you follow baking times closely and mix the batter just until combined.

Dense Crumb: Overmixing the batter is a common cause of a dense texture. Mix minimally once the wet and dry ingredients are combined.

Fruit Sinks: If your strawberries consistently sink to the bottom, ensure they are properly tossed in flour and the batter is thick enough to hold them.

Serving, Storage, & Variations

Serving Suggestions

This homemade strawberry banana bread is wonderfully versatile. Enjoy it plain for a comforting snack. For an extra treat, slather a slice with softened butter, cream cheese frosting, or even a dollop of whipped cream. It pairs beautifully with your morning coffee or tea, and makes an excellent addition to any brunch spread or a simple dessert.

Storage Instructions

Store leftover strawberry banana bread at room temperature for up to 3 days. Make sure it’s tightly wrapped in plastic wrap or placed in an airtight container to keep it fresh and moist. For longer freshness, refrigerate the bread for up to a week. You can also freeze individual slices or whole loaves for up to 3 months.

Wrap them tightly in plastic wrap, then aluminum foil, before freezing. Thaw overnight at room temperature before serving.
To ensure food safety, the USDA provides guidelines for storing baked goods.

Flavor Variations

Get creative with your strawberry banana bread by trying these delicious variations:

• Chocolate Chips: Fold in ½ cup of white, milk, or dark chocolate chips with the strawberries for an extra layer of sweetness.
• Nuts: Add ½ cup of chopped walnuts, pecans, or sliced almonds for a delightful crunch and nutty flavor.
• Other Berries: Substitute or combine strawberries with other fresh berries like blueberries or raspberries for a different fruity twist.
• Citrus Zest: A teaspoon of lemon or orange zest can brighten the flavor profile of the bread.
• Streusel Topping: Prepare a simple streusel (butter, flour, brown sugar) and sprinkle it over the top of the batter before baking for added texture and sweetness.

Nutrition

Here’s an estimated nutritional breakdown per slice of strawberry banana bread. Please note that these values are approximate and can vary based on specific ingredients and serving sizes.

FAQ

Conclusion

This strawberry banana bread truly delivers on its promise: a perfectly moist, delightfully fruity, and incredibly easy-to-make treat. The combination of sweet strawberries and creamy bananas creates a flavor profile that’s both classic and fresh. We encourage you to try this recipe for a comforting bake that’s sure to impress your family and friends.

Don’t hesitate to share your experiences and how much you loved this delicious loaf in the comments below!

Delicious Strawberry Banana Bread

This delightful recipe creates a perfectly moist and fruity loaf, combining the sweetness of ripe bananas with fresh, chopped strawberries for a breakfast or dessert treat.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 20 minutes mins

Cook Time 45 minutes mins

Total Time 1 hour hr 5 minutes mins

Servings 12 slices

Calories 300 kcal

Equipment

• oven
• 9×5 Loaf Pans
• Large bowl
• Electric Hand Mixer
• Small bowl
• Fork
• Sifter
• Toothpick

Ingredients

  

Main Ingredients

• ½ cup unsalted butter softened
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 2 eggs large
• 3 mashed bananas ripe
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 1 ½ cups strawberries chopped
• 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour

Instructions

 

• Preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Prepare two 9×5 loaf pans by spraying them with non-stick cooking spray and set them aside.
• In a large bowl, cream together the softened unsalted butter and granulated sugar using an electric hand mixer until the mixture is light and fluffy.
• Beat the large eggs in a small bowl with a fork, then add them to the creamed sugar mixture and mix until fully combined.
• Stir in the ripe mashed bananas with the sugar-egg mixture until everything is well combined.
• Sift together the 2 cups of all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt. Gradually add these dry ingredients to the banana mixture, mixing only until just combined to avoid overmixing.
• In a separate bowl, toss the chopped strawberries with 1 tablespoon of all-purpose flour, then gently fold the floured strawberries into the batter.
• Divide the batter evenly between the two prepared loaf pans.
• Bake in the preheated oven for 15 minutes, then reduce the heat to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and continue baking for another 30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Allow the bread to cool completely before removing it from the loaf pans.

Notes

Do not overmix the batter to ensure a tender crumb. Allowing the bread to cool completely before slicing will prevent it from falling apart.