Strawberry Bread with Lemon Icing

This classic Strawberry Bread with Lemon Icing is a moist, tender quick bread filled with fresh strawberries and bright lemon flavor. Easy to prep in minutes, it bakes into a beautiful loaf that's perfect for spring and summer baking, afternoon tea, brunch, or a simple tea party dessert.

For a lighter version with Greek yogurt, you may also enjoy this Healthy Strawberry Yogurt Bread, made with fresh strawberries and a soft, tender crumb.

Ingredients

• Fresh strawberries: Fresh, ripe strawberries are best for this quick bread. Chop them into small pieces so they distribute evenly throughout the loaf.
• Lemon: Both lemon zest and lemon juice add bright flavor that pairs beautifully with the strawberries. The lemon icing gives the bread its sweet, pretty finish.
• Buttermilk: Buttermilk helps create a soft, tender crumb and adds a subtle richness to the loaf.
• Neutral oil: Oil keeps this strawberry bread moist and tender. Use a neutral oil like canola, vegetable, or avocado oil.
• Vanilla extract: Vanilla rounds out the strawberry and lemon flavors and gives the bread a warm, bakery-style flavor.
• All-purpose flour, baking powder, and baking soda: These pantry staples give the bread structure and help it rise beautifully.
• Eggs and sugar: Eggs help bind the batter, while sugar sweetens the loaf and helps create a tender texture.

Together, these simple ingredients bake into a moist strawberry lemon bread that's lovely for brunch, dessert, or afternoon tea.

How to Make Strawberry Bread

1. Preheat oven to 350°F and spray a 9×5 loaf pan with nonstick spray.
2. In a large bowl, whisk the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and lemon zest until combined. Set aside.
3. In a separate bowl, whisk the eggs and sugar until combined. Then whisk in the buttermilk, oil, and vanilla. Add the wet ingredients to the flour mixture and gently whisk just until combined and smooth. For the softest texture, be careful not to overmix the batter. Fold in the chopped strawberries.
4. Bake the bread for 50 minutes to 1 hour or until a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out mostly clean. Allow the strawberry bread to cool completely in the pan before removing to a rack to glaze, ice, or slice.

Recipe FAQs

Why do you use oil instead of butter in this recipe?

I use oil instead of butter because it helps keep this strawberry bread moist and tender. Butter adds wonderful flavor, but oil often gives quick breads a softer texture that stays fresh a little longer.

The buttermilk adds richness and helps create a tender crumb, while the lemon and vanilla bring plenty of flavor to the loaf.

Can I use frozen strawberries in this recipe?

Fresh strawberries are best for this recipe because they hold their shape and give the bread the prettiest texture. Frozen strawberries tend to release more liquid as they bake, which can make quick breads heavier or wetter.

If you do use frozen strawberries, do not thaw them first. Chop them while still partially frozen, pat away any excess moisture, and fold them gently into the batter.

Can I make this Strawberry Bread ahead?

Yes! This strawberry bread keeps well and can also be frozen. If making it ahead, wait to add the lemon icing until just before serving for the prettiest finish.

To freeze, wrap the cooled, unglazed loaf securely in plastic wrap, then foil. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and bring to room temperature before glazing and serving.

Is strawberry bread good for afternoon tea?

Yes! Strawberry bread is a beautiful choice for afternoon tea because it slices neatly, looks pretty on a tea tray, and pairs wonderfully with black tea, herbal tea, or a spring tea menu. The fresh strawberries and lemon icing make it feel especially lovely for tea parties, brunches, showers, and Mother's Day.

More Strawberry Recipes

• Fresh Strawberry Bundt Cake Recipe with Lemon Icing
• Old Fashioned Strawberry Cake with Rhubarb
• Easy Strawberry Ricotta Cake
• Strawberry Crumble Bars Recipe (Strawberry Squares)
• Easy Strawberry Crisp Recipe
• Small Batch Strawberry Jam (Without Pectin)