Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Step 1: Get Ready! Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grab a 9x5-inch loaf pan and give it a good spray with nonstick baking spray, or grease and flour it generously.
- Step 2: Mash Those Bananas. In a large mixing bowl, add your overripe banana. Take a fork or a potato masher and mash it up. Don't worry about getting it perfectly smooth; a few small lumps are actually quite nice for texture.
- Step 3: Wet Ingredients Go In. Now, add the eggs, water, 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract, and the vegetable oil to the mashed banana. Give everything a good stir until it's well combined.
- Step 4: Dry Ingredients Join the Party. Next, sprinkle in the granulated sugar and the Krusteaz Pancake Mix! Stir gently until everything is just combined. Be careful not to overmix here; overmixing can lead to tough bread. A few streaks of flour are okay!
- Step 5: Fold in the Strawberries. Last but not least for the batter, gently fold in your chopped strawberries. You want to be delicate here so you don’t mush them up. This ensures those beautiful pockets of fruit throughout the bread.
- Step 6: Into the Pan! Pour your perfectly mixed batter into the prepared loaf pan. Give the pan a gentle tap on the counter a couple of times to settle the batter and release any large air bubbles.
- Step 7: Bake It Up! Slide that pan into your preheated oven and bake for 40-50 minutes. Insert a toothpick into the very center of the loaf. If it comes out clean, it's done!
- Step 8: Cool Down. Once baked, let the bread cool in the pan for about 15-20 minutes. Then, carefully transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely before you even think about frosting it.
- Step 9: Whip Up the Glaze. In a separate small bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar, the remaining ½ teaspoon vanilla extract, and the strawberry extract (if using). Start with 2 tablespoons of heavy cream and whisk until smooth. If you want a thinner glaze, add more cream, just a teaspoon at a time. For a vibrant color, add 1-2 drops of red food coloring now and mix well.
- Step 10: Frost and Enjoy! Once your bread is completely cool, drizzle or spread that gorgeous strawberry glaze all over the top. Now, slice it up and prepare for pure delight!
Notes
Store Strawberry Banana Bread covered tightly at room temperature for up to 3 days, or in the refrigerator for up to a week. Unfrosted loaves can be frozen for up to 3 months. For best results, use overripe bananas, avoid overmixing the batter, and ensure the bread is completely cool before applying the glaze. If you don't have Krusteaz Pancake Mix, you can substitute it with 2 cups of all-purpose flour combined with 2 teaspoons baking powder and ½ teaspoon salt.
