This is the one time of year when more people venture to the kitchen to make their annual homemade specialty. The requests for homemade delicacies are endless as there are gifts needed for friends, teachers, neighbors and those that happen to drop by.   One of my favorite homemade holiday gifts are quick breads.  I start planning ahead of time and select several breads to make; one favorite to include is my Strawberry Bread fromToo Hot in the Kitchen:  Secrets To Sizzle At Any Age.  Quick breads are a great gift solution as they are easy to prepare and you don’t use yeast or even need a mixer. Perfect for the busy person, make the breads ahead of time, wrap the individual loaves in plastic wrap, and then store in a zip top freezer bags in the freezer until needed.   I also prepare the breads in different size loaf pans and give a combination of different mini loaves as a present instead of one large loaf.  Pull from the freezer and tie the mini breads together with ribbon or one big bow on a loaf and you have a special homemade gift—the gift that keeps on giving!  For more holiday recipes, visit my website orblog.

Strawberry Bread  fromToo Hot in the Kitchen:  Secrets To Sizzle At Any Age
Another great bread made with one of my favorite fruits. Any red fruit juice can be used for cranberry-strawberry juice.

16 servings/serving size: 1 slice
 
2 cups all-purpose flour
3/4 cup sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 egg
1 egg white
1/3 cup butter, melted
1/3 cup cranberry-strawberry juice
2 teaspoons grated lemon rind
1 ½ cups strawberries, hulled, coarsely chopped
 
1. Preheat oven 350º F.  Coat 9x5x3-in nonstick loaf pan with nonstick cooking spray. 
2. In large bowl, mix together flour, sugar, baking powder, and baking soda.  Beat egg and egg white slightly in small bowl; stir in butter, juice, and lemon rind.
3. Add to flour mixture, stirring until well combined. Stir in berries. Pour batter into prepared pan. Bake 50-60 minutes, or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean; cover loosely with foil if it browns too fast. Remove from pan to wire rack to cool completely.
 
Nutritional information per serving
Calories 183, Calories from fat (%) 28, Fat (g) 6, Saturated Fat (g) 1, Cholesterol (mg) 18, Sodium (mg) 194, Carbohydrate (g) 30, Dietary Fiber (g) 1, Protein (g) 3, Diabetic Exchanges: 2 starch, 1 fat