Fresh Strawberry Bread

 

I am ready for Spring.  Living in the Pacific Northwest, we really don't see the sun a whole lot.  But when we do, it's glorious.  I can't wait to soak up some rays (as long as it's not too hot)!  On my grocery run this week, I saw them....beautiful red strawberries.  We've been snacking on them, but I'm saving some aside for one of my favorite strawberry recipes. 


This is, hands down, my favorite thing to bake in spring and even summer! 
I got the recipe from My Baking Addiction, my favorite baking blog.


Fresh Strawberry Bread
Makes 1 loaf

1/2 cup butter, softened
1 cup sugar
4 ounces cream cheese, softened
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 cups flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon Kosher salt
1/2 cup buttermilk
1 1/2 cups strawberries, rinsed, dried and chopped

Large sugar sprinkles, optional. (They add a fun crunch to the crust!!)

Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease and flour a 9x5 inch loaf pan.

With electric mixer cream butter, sugar and cream cheese until fluffy. Add eggs one at a time. Mix in vanilla.

In separate bowl, mix flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Blend flour mixture with butter mixture just until blended. Add buttermilk and only stir until just combined; do not over mix.

Carefully fold in strawberries. Batter will be thick.

Pour batter into prepared pan.  If desired, top with sugar sprinkles.  Bake for 50 to 60 minutes.

I like mine warm!  With coffee.  :)