Old-Fashioned Strawberry Swirl Loaf

Here’s a cozy, bakery-style recipe for an Old-Fashioned Strawberry Swirl Loaf—soft vanilla loaf cake with a beautiful ribbon of sweet strawberry running through the center, just like the classic tea-time loaves.

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🍓 Old-Fashioned Strawberry Swirl Loaf

Ingredients (1 standard loaf)

Strawberry Swirl

• ¾ cup strawberries (fresh or frozen), chopped

• 3 tbsp sugar

• 1 tsp lemon juice

• 1 tsp cornstarch + 1 tbsp water

Vanilla Loaf

• 1½ cups all-purpose flour

• 1 tsp baking powder

• ¼ tsp salt

• ½ cup unsalted butter, softened

• ¾ cup sugar

• 2 large eggs, room temperature

• ½ cup milk

• 1 tsp vanilla extract

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Instructions

1. Make the strawberry swirl

1. Add strawberries, sugar, and lemon juice to a small saucepan.

2. Cook over medium heat 5–7 minutes until strawberries soften and release juices.

3. Stir in cornstarch slurry; simmer 1–2 minutes until thick.

4. Mash slightly (leave some texture) and cool completely.

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2. Prepare the loaf batter

5. Preheat oven to 175°C / 350°F. Grease and line a loaf pan.

6. Whisk flour, baking powder, and salt.

7. Cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy.

8. Beat in eggs one at a time.

9. Mix in vanilla.

10. Alternate adding flour mixture and milk, beginning and ending with flour.

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3. Assemble the swirl

11. Pour half the batter into the pan.

12. Spoon half the strawberry mixture over batter.

13. Add remaining batter, then top with remaining strawberry mixture.

14. Use a knife to gently swirl—don’t overmix.

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4. Bake

15. Bake 50–60 minutes, until a toothpick inserted (not through the swirl) comes out clean.

16. Cool in pan 15 minutes, then transfer to rack to cool fully.

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🍰 Optional Glaze (Very Old-School!)

• ½ cup powdered sugar

• 1–2 tbsp milk or lemon juice
  Drizzle once loaf is cool.

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🌟 Tips for a Perfect Vintage Loaf

• Thicker strawberry swirl prevents sinking.

• Room-temperature ingredients give a finer crumb.

• This loaf slices best once completely cool.

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🍓 Variations

• Strawberry-cream cheese swirl: Add 4 oz sweetened cream cheese to the swirl.

• Jam shortcut: Use ½ cup thick strawberry jam instead of homemade swirl.

• Mixed berry: Replace half the strawberries with raspberries.

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If you’d like, I can also share a 1930s-style version using oil instead of butter, or a strawberry swirl pound cake with a tighter crumb. Just let me know!