Banana bread all jazzed up for spring
What’s a more classic school time lunch than a peanut butter sandwich? Growing up it was my go to lunch. The side however might be a little more surprising.
My dad was in charge of most school lunches and somehow he always had an overripe banana hanging around. Who knows how that was the case because now we hardly ever have overripe ones available for baking.
Well, lucky for me, they would almost always bust open in my lunch box. How icky is that? Therefore, for many years I couldn’t stand bananas – the smell, the taste.
All that has changed now. I can’t get enough! At the grocery store, I always get double the amount I’d usually get. I’m always blending them in smoothies and making banana bread/ muffins.
One day, I came up with the idea of adding strawberries and let me just say this was a delicious loaf! The strawberries burst open while baking making it seem like the loaf has not cooked all the way through, but don’t worry – it has! You must try this loaf. It combines an everyday favorite with a seasonal mix-in.
- 4 overripe bananas
- ½ cup canola oil
- 1 cup sugar
- 2 cups flour
- ½ tsp baking soda
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ cup coconut milk
- 1 cup diced strawberries, about 10 strawberries - plus two diced for topping
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
- Mash bananas in large bowl. Add oil and sugar and mix until combined.
- Add flour, baking soda and salt. Mix until combined.
- Stir in coconut milk until fully incorporated in batter.
- Fold in diced strawberries.
- Pour into greased 9 x 5 inch loaf pan. Top with two diced strawberries.
- Bake for 1 hour and 15 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. (Traces of strawberry may remain)
- Allow to cool for 30 minutes in pan. Then transfer to cooling rack.
PS: Have you ever tried coconut jam on banana bread? It’s my newest obsession and I’d have it every day for breakfast if I could!
This is perfect for Spring! I just made a strawberry bread, but now I want to try this version with bananas! Gorgeous!
Thanks so much, Chelsea! I bet just a strawberry bread is delicious too 😉
This bread looks delicious! Love the idea of adding strawberries to banana bread… I can’t wait for strawberries to be in season here.. but it will be another good month at least!
Thank you, Laura! There is nothing better than fresh strawberries!
I was drooling over this when I saw it on Instagram — strawberry and bananas in one bread is incredible! I can’t get enough of bananas, and make banana bread often. Adding strawberries is a great way to jazz it up and it sure it prettier, too. 🙂
Thank you, Marcie! I love making different varieties of banana bread.
Those strawberries are calling my name!
Mine too! Thanks for visiting Rachel!
You’re back! And this looks absolutely amazing! I love that it’s vegan too. Will have to try soon!
Thank you, Kayley! Do let me know if you get a chance to try it 🙂
This sounds amazing! Love the addition of strawberries!
Thank you, Jess!
I like the idea of banana and strawberries, this bread looks yummy! Coconut jam?? Where?!
Thanks Laura! Coconut jam is amazing. Hey Boo Jams is the only variety I’ve tried and I love it!
Megan, what a moist looking tasty bread! I love the flavor combination! Pinned
Thanks so much, Deb!
Coconut jam? Say what!!! I am in need of this bread and the jam
Coconut jam is amazing! I love it on bread for breakfast.
Strawberries + banana bread= get in my belly!! 🙂 Your bread looks fantastic!
Thank you so much, Jocelyn!
What a marvelous twist on banana bread! My parents used to give us liquid banana Dramamine before our vacations to Colorado. That ripe banana flavor haunted me for years, so the only time I like having ripe ones around is for banana bread 🙂
It’s funny how our experiences as children affect our experiences with food. Luckily I’ve gotten over my fear of bananas 😉 There’s nothing better than a delicious slice of banana bread!
Peanut butter sandwiches was a stable for me growing up too. Luckily no over ripe bananas. Strawberries sound like a great addition to banana bread.
The strawberries make a nice addition to this banana bread – but what isn’t good with banana bread? 😉