Strawberry Banana Bread

Summer is finally here which means longer sunnier days, picnics in the park, grass stains, and sand in between our toes. Summer also comes with a plethora of fresh produce, everything from peaches, to cherries, to of course - strawberries! I love this time of the year to experiment with different recipes and bake new creations with seasonal fruits.

Since I love banana bread, I thought I would upgrade it and make it summer appropriate by adding some strawberries to the mix!

BENEFITS OF STRAWBERRIES:

They contain fibre, both the soluble and insoluble kind. These fibres are important for feeding the good bacteria in your gut and keeping your digestive system healthy, which is key for regulating your mood and reducing stress and anxiety levels. They are high in vitamin C, an important antioxidant for immune health, and also contain folate, manganese, and potassium. ⁣

Strawberries are also low in sugar which means they are great for keeping your blood sugar levels stable. Blood sugar balance is KEY for a stable mood and energy levels.

RECIPE

Yields: 1 loaf Prep time: 15 minute Cook time: 50 minutes Total time: 1 hour & 5 minutes

INGREDIENTS:⁣

  • 1 Stick (½ Cup) Butter⁣

  • 3 Large Ripe Bananas⁣

  • 2 Large Eggs⁣

  • 1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract⁣

  • 1 cup of chopped strawberries

  • 2 Cups of all purpose gluten free flour - I use Bob's Red Mill⁣

  • 1 teaspoon Baking Soda⁣

  • ½ teaspoon salt⁣

  • ½ teaspoon cinnamon⁣

INSTRUCTIONS: ⁣

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease a loaf pan with butter, ghee, or coconut oil, and set aside.

  • Add butter to a small pot on medium low heat, until melted.

  • Add the bananas to the same bowl and mash with a fork.

  • In a large bowl, mash your bananas, then add the melted butter, vanilla extract and eggs and mix well until no yellow streaks of egg remain.⁣

  • In a second large bowl whisk together the flour, sugar, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon.

  • Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and mix together with a spatula until combined.

  • Fold in the strawberries until they are combined in the batter. Do not overmix.

  • Pour the batter into prepared loaf pan and bake for 45-55 minutes until a toothpick inserted in the center of the bread comes out clean.

Laura Gutierrez