Strawberry Banana Bread

This strawberry banana bread is packed with fresh strawberries and ripe bananas! The all-natural strawberry frosting adds extra sweet strawberry flavor. This is an easy recipe you are going to want to make. 

Easy Strawberry Banana Bread Recipe

Banana bread is so simple and satisfying. It is a perfect snack or quick breakfast. There are many variations, and we thought the combination of juicy strawberries and perfectly ripe bananas would make a fantastic moist banana bread. This is a perfect alternative to the classic banana bread. We couldn’t get enough of this banana strawberry bread. It is a great alternative to regular banana bread.

The best part is that you can make this recipe all year long since bananas and strawberries are usually available throughout the year. Strawberry season in the north-east is usually in June, but the grocery stores carry strawberries in the winter too.

This recipe is a fast, easy and you don’t need any equipment. This is a no mixer recipe, just need a large bowl, a whisk and some mixing skills.

What’s in Strawberry Banana Bread?

For this delicious strawberry banana bread recipe, you will need: 

Dry Ingredients:

All-Purpose Flour – for this recipe we recommend using bleached or un-bleached all-purpose flour. We haven’t tried this recipe with whole wheat flour or almond flour. Using whole wheat flour would alter the texture of this banana bread. And for gluten free banana bread, we recommend using a specific recipe developed for a gluten free classic banana bread and just add the strawberries and frosting.

Light Brown Sugar – dark brown sugar can be substituted. The only difference in light brown sugar and dark brown sugar is the molasses content. Mixed in the recipe, we don’t believe it will make a noticeable difference in the taste of the bread.

White Sugar – regular granulate sugar to add sweetness to the bread.

Baking soda – is chemical leavening agent that causes the batter to rise as it bakes. It is important that baking soda is fresh.

Salt – table salt or sea salt, actually any salt will do, a very small amount is needed just to bring out the flavors of all the ingredients. 

Wet Ingredients:

Ripe Bananas – soft brown bananas work best. The banana peels should be mostly brown, and the bananas should be soft to the touch, almost mushy. Lots of dark brown spots or completely dark banana peel is a sign of an overripe banana. Ripe bananas add moisture and natural sweetness. 

Fresh Strawberries – sliced into small pieces. It is important to pat the strawberries with a cloth or paper towel to remove any extra juice. Strawberries contain a lot of juice, and we don’t want any added moisture. We do not recommend using frozen strawberries, the have too much moisture.

Sour cream – plain full fat works best for this recipe. If you do not have sour cream, you can substitute it with full fat plain Greek yogurt. 

Butter – unsalted melted butter is recommended. However, you can use salted butter just eliminate the salt from the recipe.

Eggs – large eggs at room temperature. Bringing the eggs to room temperature will help them blend better with the ingredients. Eggs also help bind the ingredients and give the bread structure.

Vanilla Extract – use pure vanilla extract and avoid imitation.

See the ingredient photos below:

How to Make Strawberry Banana Bread

Preheat oven to 350°.

Prepare a 5-inch loaf pan, line it with parchment paper and spray with nonstick cooking spray.

Melt the butter in the microwave and let it cool. It should be melted but cooled to room temperature.

Mash the bananas with a fork and set aside. Cut the strawberries into small pieces. Place between paper towels and gently press to remove any excess water. Set aside.

Place flour, light brown sugar, white sugar, baking powder, baking soda and salt into a large mixing bowl and mix until combined.

Place mashed bananas, melted butter, sour cream, eggs and vanilla extract into a medium bowl and whisk together.

Combine the wet mixture with the flour mixture. Mix well.

Gently fold the strawberries into the batter with a rubber spatula.

Place the batter into prepared loaf pan and bake for 55-65 minutes. Until toothpick comes out clean from the center of the bread. Bake time will vary based on individual ovens.

Check the top of the banana bread at 45-50 minutes, it will not be done but the top may be getting dark. It is a good idea to tent the pan with aluminum foil to the top of the bread to prevent burning. You want a nice golden-brown top.

Let the bread cool completely before frosting and serving.

See the step-by-step photos below:

How to Make Strawberry Frosting

Ingredients for the Strawberry Frosting

Powdered Sugar – for sweetness

Freeze Dried Strawberries – pulverized in a blender or food processor. Pure strawberry powder is available to buy as well. The strawberry powder adds a deep, vibrant, and natural fresh strawberry flavor to the frosting.

Heavy Cream – you can use half and half or whole milk.

Directions:

Place powdered sugar, strawberry powder and heavy cream into a mixing bowl and mix together. 

Once the strawberry banana bread is completely cooled, frost the top of the bread and enjoy.

See the ingredient and step-by-step photos below:

How to Store Strawberry Banana Bread 

The banana bread will last 1-2 three days at room temperature. It contains fresh fruit, and it is best when consumed within a day or two and make sure it is tightly wrapped with plastic wrap. You can also store in the refrigerator. Lastly, you can easily freeze this bread just seal it in a freezer bag. Frosting is optional if freezing the bread. If you decide to freeze frosted bread, just let it thaw at room temperature. Do not thaw in the microwave. Unfrosted banana bread can quickly thaw in the microwave or even toasted to bring out the banana flavor.

Helpful Tips for this Recipe

• Use a timer and bake until done. Start monitoring at 45-50 minutes and watch your bread. Ovens vary and don’t worry if it takes longer to bake than the baking estimates provided.
• Store in an airtight container to prevent from drying out.
• The strawberry banana bread is perfect and tasty without the frosting. The frosting just adds another layer of sweetness and vibrant strawberry flavor. You can just add fresh strawberry slices or strawberry jam, jelly or spread that would add extra strawberry flavor. You can also add scoop of strawberry ice cream.
• If you prefer, you can use this batter to make strawberry banana muffins. It is a bit dense banana bread recipe, but it would work for muffins. The baking time would be much less. If attempting to make muffins, I recommend checking them at 25 minutes to see if they are baked through.

Try our tropical inspired Pineapple Banana Bread recipe! Follow our Pinterest Desserts Recipes Board for more dessert inspirations.