In A Gift Giving…and Cooking State of Mind!

I returned from the Texas Hill Country in a cooking and gift giving state of mind.  So, last Saturday, I arose early to begin baking my Strawberry Nut Bread!  I have told you about it before, but I do not think I told you how well it freezes.  You can make a load of loaves, freeze them and then grab as needed throughout the holidays…for your hair dresser, nail technician, teachers…etc.  In fact, last year, I took one to our dry cleaners and they were so happy!  If you need a special gift, just deliver a loaf made in a cute loaf pan, wrapped with a big bow and a recipe card.  You will be loved by all in your gift giving path.  I put some fun loaf pans in the slide show below just in case you like the idea!

I always start by roasting the walnuts…they taste so much better when you do…and if you like to snack while baking…walnuts are healthy!

STRAWBERRY NUT BREAD

 

1 Cup Butter

1 ½ cups of sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla

ÂĽ teaspoon lemon extract

4 eggs

3 cups all- purpose flour

1 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon cream of tartar

½ teaspoon baking soda

1 cup strawberry jam

½ cup dairy sour cream

1 cup broken walnuts (best of you roast them first)

In bowl, cream softened butter, sugar, vanilla, lemon extract until fluffy.  Add eggs one at a time….beating well, after each addition.  Stir (or sift) together flour, salt, cream of tartar, and soda and set aside.  Whisk together jam and sour cream and set aside.  Then add the jam mixture and dry ingredients alternately with the creamed butter mixture until well combined.  Stir in the nuts and divide evenly into 3 loaf pans.  Bake at 350 for 60 minutes.

Note:  Taste amazing with strawberry cream cheese!

So I started freezing some gift loaves, and then went on to make chicken pies…what bit me?  Not sure but it was fun!

Does anyone else have cooking binges that you freeze for the holidays?  What are some of your favorite recipes?  Please share and while you are planning and cooking……………

KEEP SMILING!!

27 Comments

  1. Are you using regular loaf pans, or the small ones? The look like regular size in the picture but just wanted to be sure. It’s a great idea for gift giving. I always bake obscene amounts of Christmas cookies and nut rolls and give a lot away, and the strawberry bread would be a nice addition! I have been in that sort of mood too Pam. Early for me this year!

  2. They are the middle sized pans, Karen…not the small ones. Oh my, nut rolls sound so good! Thanks for being here.

  3. I love to cook and bake. Giving gifts from the kitchen is a lot of fun. Last year I made “spice kits” for my girls for some of their favorite recipes. This would make it easy to just dump, mix and go. They really liked them!

  4. I love baking mini pumpkin bread and 7 layer bars as gifts. I’m going to try this strawberry bread – thanks for sharing!

  5. Thank you for sharing this! I am looking for just this type of goodie for holiday giving for those that I have no idea what to give! Would you ever share your chicken pie recipe? I had a great one that got lost many years ago and haven’t made one since! Love your posts!

  6. I made mini loaves of gingerbread and cranberry orange bread for my neighbors (and a gift card for a carwash since our construction dust was widespread!) I’m adding your strawberry bread to my baking list!

  7. Hi Nancy, as soon as I get home from work later I will get those measurements for you.

  8. Hi Nancy, Here is the size of pan I use… 8 in X 3 7/8 in X 2 15/32 in. That is what it says on the label. On my grocery shelf, it is the middle loaf pan with the aluminum foil pans…that is why I said that.

  9. Hi Pamela, thanks for sharing this recipe. I had a jar of Cherry Jam that I wanted to use and when I read this recipe it clicked. I doubled the ingredients and the recipe made three full size loaf pans. Nice and moist and even out of the frig it is good but even better warmed with a little butter. I always enjoy your posts you come from a joyful place and it is so refreshing.

  10. Yumm-o! Thanks for sharing; these loaves will definitely be an addition to our holiday goodies this year

  11. Hi Pam
    I baked these loaves today and while they taste delicious, they don’t have much of a strawberry flavor. Is that how they are or might I have had the wrong type of jam or something?

  12. Maybe it is the jam. I use a hearty jam that is thick with strawberries and the bread does have a strawberry flavor. Be careful of too many walnuts. Hope that helps!

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