Did you know that strawberries are the only fruit to grow their seeds on the outside? I like to think of it as wearing their hearts on their sleeves. Given that, if strawberries had a personality I'm sure we'd be great friends.
That hasn't always been the case though. Would you believe me if I told you that this time two years ago I didn't like strawberries? Crazy wasn't I? How could anyone not love such a friendly fruit? My fruit repertoire is still rather limited but berries are now a favourite of mine.
When I saw that this month's Sweet Adventures Blog Hop theme was 'berry nice to meet you,' I was seriously excited. I might, in fact, have used it as an excuse for a trip out to the strawberry farm last week. I couldn't wait to get home with my bounty and start creating.
What I should have done, was research and plan all the recipes I wanted to make with my berries before I headed to the farm, instead of bringing them home and then digging through the collection.
There were just so many options that the stress of choosing sent me straight to the fridge to eat 'just one more' strawberry all in the name of flavour research.
Strawberry sour cream bread (from Closet Cooking) was one recipe that managed to save a few berries from my mouth. I liked the sound of combining sour cream and berries in a loaf. The addition of walnut pieces and cinnamon made it sort of like a berry version of banana bread - perfect for morning tea.
I served it to a friend I was welcoming home to Brisbane after 2 years in London town and I think it was the perfect re-introduction to delicious Queensland produce.
A smear, ok generous spread of strawberry curd, made using Le Delicieux's perfected it. I tried it with butter and with curd but the curd. On toasted bread, the butter was better as it melted into it but on a room-temperature slice, the curd was the winner.
In honor of the berry nice to meet you blog hop I thought I'd share a few of my other berry creations:
Strawberry fairy-floss cupcakes
Passionate strawberry parfait
Recipe
Ingredients
- 125 g 4.4ozunsalted butter
- ¾ cup caster superfine sugar
- 3 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 cups plain AP flour
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ cup sour cream
- 2 tablespoon chopped walnuts
- 2 cups strawberries fresh or frozen, diced
Instructions
- Pre-heat the oven to 160C(320F) fan-forced.
- Grease and line a large loaf tin with baking paper so that it extends over the long sides.
- In the bowl of an electric mixer, beat the butter and sugar together until smooth and creamy.
- Add the eggs one at a time and beat them through then add the vanilla.
- Scrape down the sides and beat again.
- Take the bowl off the stand.
- In another bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, baking soda and cinnamon.
- Add ⅓ of the dry ingredients into the big bowl and stir them through.
- Add ⅓ of the sour cream and stir it through.
- Continue like this until the dry ingredients and sour cream have been mixed in.
- Stir in the strawberries.
- Spread the batter into the pan.
- Bake the loaf for 60 minutes or until a cake tester comes out clean.
If you'd like to be a part of the blog hop, head over and visit The Hungry Australian, this month's host, to find out more.
Erin @ she cooks, she gardens says
This looks and sounds delcious, Claire. I think you are right about it being a bit like a berry flavoured banana bread, sounds fab. Also, I can relate to having some strange food phobias - up until about 5 years ago I hated tomatoes and eggs with a passion. My mum still can't believe I cook with them all the time now.
Claire says
I didn't like tomato either Erin! Oh my mum can't believe I eat practically everything now and all she ever got to serve me was chicken and veges. Poor mums!
Christina @ The Hungry Australian says
Great recipe, Claire. Loving the idea of strawberry bread and curd together.
Thanks for joining this hop!
Claire says
Thanks for hosting Christina!
Maureen | Orgasmic Chef says
The bread looks delicious and the curd on top would send me swooning. You two are my heros. :)
Claire says
Why thank you Maureen!
Nic@diningwithastud says
I'm glad you've found strawberry love :)
Claire says
So am I Nic!
celia says
Beautiful looking loaf, Claire! I wish we could go strawberry picking - we've yet to find any place nearby!
Claire says
Thanks Celia! You'll just have to come and visit me!
Jen @ Savory Simple says
I love the sound of this bread!
Nic says
I like the idea of strawberry curd, it somehow sounds very decadent!
Claire says
That's because it is Nic!
Lorraine @ Not Quite Nigella says
I wasn't a huge strawberry fan either. Growing up, we had a small strawberry patch and they were always so sour! I do love them with cream though! :)
Claire says
My favourite 'good' dessert is strawberries shopped up and stirred with a little bit of Greek yoghurt. Just like strawberries and cream!
Jennifer (Delicieux) says
Your bread looks fantastic Claire!! Strawberries are fantastic in so many things, but I've yet to try a strawberry bread. You've inspired me!
I'm glad you enjoyed the Strawberry Curd too. :D
Claire says
It was my first strawberry bread but it definitely won't be my last! Thanks for the curd recipe.
Jess says
So glad you got over your strawberry aversion! What is it about sour cream that makes baked goods so rich and have so much depth?
Claire says
So am I Jess! I don't know but I love it.
Hotly Spiced says
What a great way to use the strawberries you picked yourself. I love the look of this bread. It looks like it's very moist with great texture. And that strawberry spread on it - too delicious xx
Claire says
Yes it was rather delicious I could have eaten the spread by the spoonful! x
Kristin says
This look so yummy. I love sour cream in cakes so I'm sure this will be amazing. It's been added to the "to bake" list... x
Claire says
That list must be getting rather long! x
JJ @ 84thand3rd says
Strawberries and sour cream sound like the perfect match to me as well! I may try this with raspberries too!
Claire says
Oh yes raspberries would be perfect too. Maybe a combo?
Kyrstie @ A Fresh Legacy says
What a great recipe! I love the additon of the walnuts. I am hungry now!
Claire says
I thought the walnuts might be a little strange with berries but they went very nicely!
Martyna @ Wholesome Cook says
Wow, that's hard to believe that you didn't like strawberries. Hard to tell considering how gorgeous this bread looks! So moist...
Claire says
I know, I was crazy!