1/2 cup light brown sugar, packed
1/3 cup canola or vegetable oil (liquid-state coconut oil may be substituted)
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1/4 cup sour cream (Greek yogurt may be substituted)
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour, plus additional if necessary (see step 4 in directions)
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt, or to taste
1 cup mashed ripe bananas (about 2 large or 3 small bananas)
1 1/2 cups fresh strawberries, quartered and tossed in 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour (helps prevent sinking to bottom of the pan)
Preheat oven to 350F. Spray one 9×5-inch loaf pan with floured cooking spray, or grease and flour the pan; set aside. Note – Loaf is not very tall as baked in a 9×5 pan, but I fear an 8×4 pan will be a bit too skimpy. To a large bowl, add the the first six ingredients, through vanilla, and whisk to combine. Add 1 1/4 cups flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and fold with spatula or stir gently with a spoon until just combined; don’t overmix. Add the bananas and fold gently to combine. Add the strawberries tossed in 3 tablespoons flour and fold gently to combine. Batter should be on the thicker side. If it’s not, you may wish to add up to 1/4 cup additional flour. All bananas and strawberries vary in their moisture content and the consistency of batters will vary. The berries will release water into batter during baking and it’s better to err on the side of a thicker than thinner batter by adding additional flour if you deem it necessary. Turn batter out into the prepared pan , smoothing the top lightly with a spatula. Bake for about 55 to 65 minutes (I baked 60 minutes) or until the top is golden, the center is set, and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, or with a few moist crumbs, but no batter. Tip – Tent the pan with a sheet of foil draped loosely over it in the last 10 minutes or so of baking to prevent top and sides from becoming overly browned before center cooks through. Baking times will vary based on moisture content of bananas, strawberries, climate, and oven variances. Bake until done; watch your bread, not the clock and don’t worry if it takes longer to bake than the baking estimates provided. Allow bread to cool in pan for about 15 minutes before turning out on a wire rack to cool completely before slicing and serving. Optionally, serve with or glaze with Strawberry Butter, Honey Butter, Vanilla Bean Browned Butter Glaze, or Cream Cheese Glaze. Bread will keep airtight at room temperature for up to 1 week, or in the freezer for up to 6 months.