You’ll love the heavenly aroma that fills your kitchen while this is baking! It’s especially delicious served warm from the oven with a “schmear” of whipped strawberry butter.

Strawberry bread is jam-packed with fresh berries and toasted pecans. Serve up a slice or two with a smear of whipped strawberry butter!

Extremely moist, full of flavor, and super easy to make — this strawberry quick bread recipe is perfect for a weekend brunch or even a simple dessert.

Because quick breads freeze so well and are perfect for sharing with friends, I’ve come up with quite a few options! Enjoy cranberry orange or cherry chocolate chunk for a burst of tartness, or stick with classics like pumpkin or zucchini.

I also have a delicious blueberry jam recipe that would make a wonderful addition to this loaf. Combine the two flavors for a patriotic look, or swap out the berries entirely!

Key ingredients and substitutions

• Flour — While I haven’t tried it myself, you should be able to use a 1:1 gluten-free alternative without any issues.
• Berries — I recommend using fresh since frozen becomes too soggy once thawed.
• Jam — Use your favorite store bought or homemade variety, but make sure it’s seedless!

Special supplies needed

• Loaf pan. Heats evenly, doesn’t warp, and the handles make it easy to transfer in and out of the oven.
• Mixing bowls. Not only does the simple design complement any kitchen, but these are sturdy with grips on the bottom to hold them in place.
• Electric mixer. Since the amounts for the whipped butter are so small, stick with a handheld version instead of lugging out your stand mixer.

How to make strawberry nut bread

STEP 1 | Prep the pan

• Rub a stick of unsalted butter along the bottom of the pan and about ½ inch up the sides, then lightly dust with flour.
• This allows for easy removal without the outside of the strawberry bread becoming greasy.

STEP 2 | Mix the batter

• Whisk together the wet and dry ingredients in separate bowls, then combine the two.
• Stir just until there are no more streaks of flour —- over mixing can result in a loaf that is chewy and tough.
• Fold in the berries and nuts until they are evenly distributed throughout the batter.

STEP 3 | Swirl the jam

• Pour the batter into the greased pan, spreading it out to each corner. 
• Add dollops of jam all along the surface with a spoon.
• Insert the tip of a knife into the batter and create swirls with a back and forth motion.

STEP 4 | Bake

• Check for doneness by inserting a wooden toothpick near the center of the loaf. It should come back clean without any wetness or crumbs.
• Allow the strawberry nut bread to cool in the pan for at least 30 minutes. It’s dense and heavy, so don’t rush the process.

Frequently asked questions

Serving suggestions

Don’t forget the homemade whipped butter! Add softened butter, fresh fruit or jam, and powdered sugar to a medium-sized bowl, then whip until smooth — it’s that simple.

You can get creative with the flavors and combinations as well. Orange marmalade, peach preserves, and fresh raspberries are just a few ideas to get you started.

Whichever flavor you choose, store your whipped sweet crème butter in the refrigerator and bring it to room temperature before serving so it’s easier to spread.

Strawberry Bread: behind the recipe

Sometimes good things — in this case, delicious things — sort of happen by accident! This yummy strawberry nut bread has dollops of jam swirled into the top of the loaf, so instead of covering it with a glaze, I thought a “schmear” would be a nice addition.

I was first introduced to “schmears” or whipped sweet crème butters at Dame’s Chicken and Waffles and I knew I had to recreate my own at home. 

Don’t stop at this recipe, though! Whipped berry butter can also be spread on toast, English muffins, biscuits, and even pancakes.

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