strawberry bread


There's a certain question that I am asked once in a while that seems to be less and less amusing.

"Do you have children?"

The inevitable answer: WHAT?? No.

I've worked at my family toy store since I was a teenager and once in a while I would get asked that question by some clearly delusional parents because I was apparently good with kids. Now, I love kids but I was in no way old enough to have any of my own so it was always brushed off with laughter.

 

But, this question is being asked more often now, yet it doesn't seem as funny. In fact, I'm a little worried that I'm starting to look...gasp...old. (er)

You see, I have always been mistaken for looking much younger than I actually am, but lately I've noticed that that may be changing.
Nooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!

Alright so I may be acting a little dramatic but it's kind of freaking me out. First of all, I am in no  way ready to have children. Someday perhaps. But not now. So people, ya gotta stop asking me.
 
 

I have to say though that it's gotten me thinking more and more about the future. And I've realized one major thing.

The future is scary. Very scary.
Yet as much as I'm scared, I'm also anxious to see what's going to happen. I don't believe life can be planned so I try not to plan my life down to the last detail. There's ALWAYS a curve ball that isn't planned for so I'd rather see what happens instead of worrying.

That being said, it's admittedly difficult not to worry sometimes. Have I made the right decisions? Will I be successful by my own definition? Ultimately, all I want is to be happy, because happiness is really all that matters.


I'm always happiest when I am with friends and family. Nothing really beats good food shared with good company. Especially when that food is being eaten outdoors from the BBQ on the first most-summer-like day with the sun shining brightly, a nice breeze and the scent of lilac drifting through the air. Plus a delicious and soft strawberry bread just waiting to be sliced and devoured.

This bread makes a delicious light summer snack filled with fresh strawberries. You can even add a topping of a few chopped strawberries that have been mixed with sugar and a touch of balsamic vinegar and left to soak for a few hours. Pile of top of your slice of cake and let the syrup soak through. Yum!

This post is linked up at:
This Chick Cooks Link Party
Cupcake Apothecary: A Themed Baker's Sunday
The Sweet Details: Savory Sunday 
Sweet as Sugar Cookies: Sweets for a Saturday 
 
Strawberry Bread

Yields one 9 x 5 inch loaf
Recipe adapted from The Country Cook 

Ingredients

1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
3/4 cup sugar
3 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 cups all-purpose flour 
2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp salt
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1/4 tsp ground ginger, optional
1/2 cup sour cream (or plain yogurt)
1 1/2 cups chopped fresh strawberries

Note: the original recipe called for 1/2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans to be first roasted and then folded into the batter. I didn't have enough so I sprinkled a few chopped walnuts on top of the batter.

 

Procedure

Preheat oven to 350 F with the oven rack in the middle position. Grease and line a 9 x 5 inch loaf pan with parchment paper hanging over the long sides for easy removal. 

In a small bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, ground cinnamon (and ground ginger, if adding). Set aside. With the paddle attachment of an electric mixer, beat the butter and sugar until light and fluffy, about 3-4 minutes. Add the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Add the vanilla extract. Scrape down the sides of the bowl and with the mixer on low speed add the flour mixture and sour cream alternately, starting and ending with the flour. Mix only until combined. Gently fold in the chopped strawberries. 
Scrape the batter into the prepared pan and sprinkle a few chopped walnuts or pecans on top and bake about 1 hour, or until the bread is golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Tent with foil if nuts are starting to turn brown until cake is ready. Place on a wire rack to cool and then remove the bread from the pan. Serve warm or at room temperature. This bread can be frozen.


Comments

  1. YUM I can't wait to try it! although strawberries here are SO expensive/aren't as yummy as quebec ones.

    also: can we live together and lock ourselves in our hermit house and pretend we're 19 forever. the future scares the hell out of me too.

    also also: LOVE LOVE LOVE the pics of the lilacs!!! they look like those ikea postcard thingies they're SO pretty.

    ReplyDelete
  2. You have so many yummy recipes on your blog. You have great photos too. I can't wait to try some of your recipes like the carrot cake cupcakes, coconut cake or lemon poppy seed pound cake - yum!

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  3. Hey I host a blog hop and I'd LOVE if you came over and shared a recipe! Here's the link :) http://thesweetdetail.blogspot.com/search/label/Savory%20Sunday

    and i'm your newest follower :)

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  4. My strawberries from my garden are just starting to ripen..this is a perfect recipe to try....and I the kids front. I have five. I don't regret a thing...even though I started having them before I was ready. Honestly, I don't think a person is ever truly ready. At some point in life you just have to step off the cliff and know you'll be caught...enjoy life with or without kids...

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  5. oh my gosh! This looks incredible! and so are your pictures! I happened to stumble across your blog and I LOVE it! I love making new blog friends, especially ones with amazing recipes! I am your newest follower and would love it if you would check out my blog and follow me too! Thanks!
    -Nikki
    http://chef-n-training.blogspot.com/

    ReplyDelete
  6. I love all your beautiful photos. Your blog is gorgeous. That strawberry bread sounds so yummy. Thanks for sharing your recipe at These Chicks Cooked Recipe Spotlight. I hope you can come share another recipe this Wednesday. Have a good one.
    Katie

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  7. I saw this yummy bread over at These Chicks Cooked... and I'm loving your whole blog! You've got some amazing recipes on here, and photos. I am your newest follower :)

    Check out my blog and follow back if you like!

    http://steaknpotatoeskindagurl.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  8. I'm back, and passing the Versatile Blogger Award on to you! Loving your blog :) Check out my post and pick up your badge!

    http://steaknpotatoeskindagurl.blogspot.com/2011/06/versatile-blogger-award.html

    ReplyDelete
  9. I love strawberry bread. Yours looks like it made for some delicious eating. Thanks for linking it up to Sweets for a Saturday.

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  10. This bread looks delish. Thanks for stopping by today. I'm a new follower.
    Aimee

    ReplyDelete

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