Strawberry Almond Bread.  That drizzle.  That almond flavor.  Those strawberries.  This is just begging you to make it for Valentine’s Day!  The good news is that you probably have all of these ingredients – just pick up some fresh strawberries!  This recipe is one of my favorites to gift in small paper loaf pans as gifts for Valentine’s Day.  Everyone absolutely loves this.  Enjoy!

Bread:

•  3/4 cup sugar

•  1/2 cup milk

•  1/2 cup vegetable oil

•  1 egg

•  2 teaspoons almond extract

•  2 cups flour

•  1 teaspoon baking powder

•  1 teaspoon baking soda

•  1/2 teaspoon salt

•  2 cups diced strawberries tossed into 2 tablespoons of flour

Glaze:

•  2 cups powdered sugar

•  2-3 tablespoons melted butter (more is always better!)

•  1/2 cup finely diced strawberries

•  1/2 teaspoon almond extract

•  2 tablespoons heavy cream

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  In a bowl whisk sugar, milk, oil, egg and almond extract.  In another bowl whisk remaining dry ingredients.  Add wet ingredients to dry ingredients.  Add strawberries.  Pour into greased loaf pan and bake 50-55 minutes.  Let cool completely.

To make the glaze:  Whisk all ingredients except strawberries together.  Add strawberries.  Cut into the bread like you are slicing it but do not cut all the way through.  Pour glaze over, allowing glaze to drizzle into partial cuts.  Then fully slice to serve!

Ashley Madden Rowton is a wife, mom and published cookbook author who lives in Minden, La.