"ToL" Original Recipe: Gluten-Free Strawberry Lemonade Quick Bread Recipe

What is Quick Bread?

Making bread is tedious and takes time, particularly the proofing or fermenting part of the process. Quick bread uses leavening agents aside from yeast, making baking easier. In addition, this bread usually incorporates a fruit or vegetable instead of yeast or eggs. The possibilities of quick bread are endless and exciting to explore. Experimenting with different fruits and veggies makes baking this bread so exhilarating.

Strawberry Lemonade Quick Bread Recipe

Yields: 9″ x 5″ loaf pan

Bread recipe:

300 grams gluten-free flour
210 grams organic raw cane sugar
18 grams baking powder
3.75 grams Kosher salt
2 beaten organic eggs
210 grams organic whole milk
7.5 grams pure vanilla extract
120 grams organic vegetable shortening
120 grams organic strawberries, chopped (any seasonal fruit can be used to make a variety of this bread)
1 teaspoon organic lemon zest
Non-stick spray

Lemon zest glaze recipe (optional):

2 cups powdered sugar
2 tablespoons organic lemon zest
⅓ cup organic fresh lemon juice

Kitchen Equipment

Mixing bowls/cups/spoons for mise en place ("everything in its place") ingredients
Measuring spoons
Mixing bowls (2x)
Food scale
Colander
Cutting board
Paring knife
Serrated knife
Spatula
Whisk
Strainer (for sifting)
Loaf pan
Fork
Bowl
Toothpick
Juicer reamer
Microplane
Oven mittens
Cooling rack
Airtight container
Plates

Baking Instructions

Sanitize the kitchen (sink, faucets, countertops, stovetop/oven, cupboard handles, smart devices, computer, etc.).
Preheat the oven to 400ºF (204ºC).
Melt shortening in the microwave.
Beat the eggs.
Wash and chop the strawberries.
Wash and zest the lemon.
Mise en place ingredients.
Sift dry ingredients in one bowl.
Mix wet ingredients in another bowl.
Add the wet-to-dry ingredients.
Gently mix to combine until no more dry ingredients are visible. Do not overmix.
Gently fold in the strawberries and lemon zest.
Grease a 9"×5" loaf pan with non-stick cooking spray.
Add the batter to the pan.
Bake between 40-45 minutes.
While the bread is baking, make the lemon zest glaze.
Sift the powdered sugar.
Juice the lemon.
Combine the lemon and zest with the powdered sugar.
Insert a toothpick in the middle of the baked bread. If the toothpick comes out clean, the bread is ready.
Allow cooling.
Remove from the loaf pan and fully cool the bread on a cooling rack.
Once completely cooled, pour the glaze over the loaf.
Slice the bread with a serrated knife.
Serve immediately or store in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

Seven Additional Spring Fruits

There are so many spring fruits to choose from. Here are my top seven favorites.

Blueberries.
Blueberries are usually available year-round. Additionally, it’s a crucial superfood to consume daily.
Cherries.
This fruit is ranked eighth on the “dirty dozen” list because it contains many pesticides. If your budget allows, consider buying organic.
Golden kiwis. Only a few years ago, I learned that different kiwis were on the market. I love these kiwis. They’re much sweeter than the green kiwis. This fruit is on the “clean fifteen” list. It has minimal pesticides.
Grapes.
This fruit is grouped in the “dirty dozen” category and is number six on the list. Consider buying organic if your budget allows it. Grapes are grown year-round, but “spring” grapes come from Mexico and Southern California. While green grapes prevail in the spring, red and black grapes are also becoming popular.
(Meyer) Lemons.
This type of lemon is between a lemon and an orange. Their rind is considered sweeter, which makes their zest all the more vibrant.
Mangoes.
This made it on the “clean fifteen” list. Pickled mangoes are a staple in Hawai’i, and it’s the only way I enjoy mangoes.
Strawberries.
My ultimate favorite fruit! This fruit is grouped in the “dirty dozen” category and is number one on the list. Consider buying organic if your budget allows it.

Cheers!

Gini x

27 April 2025

References

Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts Home Gourmet and Escoffier Online International Culinary Academy (2016). Try these quick breads. Retrieved from: https://www.escoffieronline.com/try-these-quick-breads/

Environmental Working Group (2025). The 2024 clean fifteen. Retrieved: https://www.ewg.org/foodnews/clean-fifteen.php

Environmental Working Group (2025). The 2024 dirty dozen. Retrieved: https://www.ewg.org/foodnews/dirty-dozen.php

Sansone, A.E. (2023). 15 Best spring fruits- Spring fruits in season. Retrieved from: https://www.thepioneerwoman.com/food-cooking/meals-menus/g42506482/spring-fruits/