It’s been a while since I’ve baked, which is no wonder I’ve been feeling as though my creative spirits have experienced a dry spell. So, to get my creative juices flowing again, tonight I baked strawberry orange bread. I must say, it’s one citrus romance. I presume it would be scrumptious with a generous scoop of vanilla ice cream. Miam!

Strawberry orange bread

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup vegetable oil
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• dash of vanilla extract
• 2 eggs
• zest and juice of 1 medium orange
• 1 cup strawberries, diced
• 1 cup strawberries, puréed

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
2. In a small bowl, mix the flour, baking powder, and salt.
3. In another small bowl, mix the diced strawberries with approx. 1/4 cup of the flour mixture. Purée the remaining strawberries.
4. In a large bowl, cream the oil, sugar, and eggs. Add the orange zest and juice as well as the strawberry purée. Add a dash of vanilla. Whisk to combine.
5. Add in the flour mixture and use a spatula to mix just enough to incorporate everything. Don’t over mix. Fold in the strawberries.
6. Bake for about 30-35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the centre comes out clean.

Recipe adapted from Laura Vitale: http://www.laurainthekitchen.com/recipes/strawberry-orange-muffins/