Wednesday, April 15, 2009

Chocolate Strawberry Loaf


Even though I have a huge back log of things to post about, I thought I'd post this strawberry loaf so that if it sounds good to you you'll have a chance to try it while strawberries are in season! Mostly I really don't like using fruit in baking, especially precious strawberries. I much prefer eating them fresh and unadorned. But we bought a gigantic container of strawberries from Costco and they really didn't taste so good so I thought I'd take the opportunity to bake with them. Elyse posted this strawberry loaf as if in answer to my strawberry woes! (Speaking of Elyse, go and check out her amazingly spectacular creation - a Samoa inspired cheesecake.)

I modified the recipe a bit - omitting the nuts, nutmeg and lemon, and adding chocolate chips. The loaf reminds me of the very moist banana bread my mom made when I was growing up. And the great thing is you can taste the strawberry! For myself, I wouldn't make this loaf again but my boyfriend wants me to. And it's a great way to use up strawberries if you have too many (not that it's really possible). And yes the loaf did have a pink tinge to it.

If this sounds good, you might like:
Mom's Banana Apple Bread
Candied Maple Walnut Pancake Loaf
Pumpkin Loaf
Banana Crunch Muffins

Chocolate Strawberry Loaf
Adapted from King Arthur Flour

The recipe calls for "mashed" strawberries. I pureed mine to make them less chunky. As mentioned above, my modifications were to omit the walnuts, nutmeg and lemon, and to add chocolate chips.

1/2 cup chocolate chips
1 1/2 cups (6 1/4 ounces) unbleached all-purpose flour
1 cup (7 ounces) sugar
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 eggs
1 1/4 cups (10 ounces) pureed strawberries
1/2 cup (3 7/8 ounces) vegetable oil

Preheat your oven to 350°F. Grease and flour (or spray with non-stick vegetable oil spray) a 9 x 5-inch loaf pan.

In a medium-sized mixing bowl, whisk together the chocolate chips, flour, sugar, soda, and salt. In a separate bowl, whisk together the eggs, strawberries and vegetable oil. Combine the wet ingredients with the dry ingredients, whisking until well-blended.

Pour the batter into the prepared pan, and bake for 55 to 60 minutes, until a cake tester inserted into the center comes out clean. Cool the bread in the pan for 15 minutes, then remove it from the pan and transfer it to a rack to cool completely, 1 hour or longer. For best flavor and easiest slicing, wrap the bread while still slightly warm and let it sit overnight.

20 comments:

Snooky doodle said...

What an interesting recipe! I ve never baked with strawberries and chocolate . Maybe it s time to try it :)

LizNoVeggieGirl said...

Chocolate-covered strawberries in loaf form... LOVE it!!

Pearl said...

chocolate strawberry? what a cool combination in a loaf!

Ricki said...

Great way to use strawberries! And of course the addition of chocolate is a must. ;)

Anonymous said...

oooh! i had strawberry bread at a bakery the other day and it was soooo good! and now i've been craving to make it!

La Cuisine d'Helene said...

Strawberries were so cheap at Costco. What a great way to enjoy them.

Anonymous said...

I love the chocolate and strawberry combo. Yum!

Anonymous said...

This sounds mighty interesting. Leave the chocolate dipped strawberries behind for this one!

Jacqueline Meldrum said...

That's a really interesting idea Ashley! I am waiting very impatiently for strawberry season here!

Bunny said...

I love moist, you can certainly see that in the loaf, very nice way to use up the strawberries!

Elyse said...

YAY! You totally just made my day with your awesome shout out. Thank you! Man, I totally love what you've done to this strawberry bread. I'm always up for adding chocolate chips to ANYTHING. Sounds delicious. I have a pint of strawberries in my fridge right now, but those are reserved for "eating." I may have to go buy some excess so I can remake the bread using your changes!! Looks totally moist and delicious.

greenlady said...

how can it be vegan with the eggs?

grace said...

two things about strawberries:
1-they don't get used in baked goods often enough
2-chocolate is the perfect mate for them
this'd be fantastic!

Steph said...

I keep seeing strawberry everywhere, I think strawberry cupcakes are calling my name!

eatme_delicious said...

greenlady: I forgot there were eggs in it. Thanks for correcting me! Sorry for any confusion I caused.

jb said...

This looks amazing - I'm never one to turn down a chocolate/strawberry concoction!

Maria said...

Chocolate and strawberries, yum!

Anonymous said...

Oh my goodness Ashley. There are so many sweet delicious goodies. I think I just found heaven in the form of your blog!

Johanna GGG said...

mmm pink bread - fruity with chocolate - sounds good to me

Cakespy said...

This sounds and looks so delicious. I love the color too--pink food makes me so happy!