What a beautiful stretch of weather. (OK, just a few days) I hope it holds out until about January. The strawberries are ready and we have to enjoy them while they are fresh. We can get frozen ones anytime.. How about looking at some strawberry treats?
Strawberry Bread
3 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 cup white sugar
4 eggs
1 1/4 cups vegetable oil
2 cups fresh strawberries
1 1/2 cups chopped walnuts
Directions: Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Lightly grease two 9×5 inch loaf pans.
In a large bowl, combine flour, salt, cinnamon, baking powder and white sugar. In a separate bowl, beat together eggs and oil. Stir egg mixture into dry ingredients until just moistened. Fold in strawberries and walnuts. Spoon batter into prepared loaf pans.
Bake in preheated oven for 1 hour, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the loaf comes out clean. Let cool 10 minutes in pans and then move to a wire rack to cool completely.
Fresh Strawberry Muffins
1/2 cup butter
1/2 cup white sugar
2 eggs
1/2 cup buttermilk
1 (8 ounce) container strawberry flavored yogurt
1 tablespoon lemon juice
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon baking powder
1 1/2 cups chopped strawberries
Directions: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease a 12 cup muffin tin, or line with paper liners.
In a large bowl, cream together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in the buttermilk, yogurt, and lemon juice. Combine the flour and baking powder; stir into the yogurt mixture until just blended. Fold in strawberries. Spoon the batter into the prepared muffin cups.
Bake for 15 to 18 minutes in the preheated oven, or until the top springs back when lightly touched. Cool in the pan over a wire rack.
Strawberry Refrigerator Cake
2 (10 ounce) packages frozen strawberries
1 (3.5 ounce) package instant vanilla pudding mix
1 cup milk
2 cups frozen whipped topping, thawed
1 pint fresh strawberries
9-inch by 13-inch greased pan
Directions: Prepare cake mix as directed on package. Allow to cool. Poke holes on top of cake. Puree thawed strawberries with juice in a blender or food processor and spoon over top of baked cake.
To Make Topping: Prepare pudding mix as directed on package using one cup of milk. Fold whipped topping into pudding mixture and spread over cake. Refrigerate for at least 4 hours.
Arrange fresh strawberries decoratively on top of cake and serve.
Have a great week, stay well and we’ll talk more next time. Please contact me at susieqcooking@ainop.com or c/o Pioneer Times, P.O. Box 456, Houlton, Maine 04730.
