½cupOiluse flavorless oil like canola, corn, vegetable, safflower oil
½cupUnsweetened Applesauce**
2teaspoonLemon juicefreshly squeezed
½cupWalnutsor pecans, toasted and chopped
Instructions
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F or 180 degree C.
Grease 9x5x3 inch loaf pan with butter or oil. Or you can spray with cooking oil too.
Take all purpose flour, sugar, ground cinnamon, baking soda and salt in a bowl. Mix well.
Zest the whole lemon directly into flour mixture. Mix it and keep it aside.
Take strawberries and 3 tablespoons of water in blender. Blend it into a smooth puree.
Add oil, applesauce and lemon juice. And blend it till combined.
Add wet mixture into dry ingredients.
Stir it to mix till incorporated well.
Add chopped walnuts. And fold them in.
Pour into greased loaf pan. Even out with back of the spoon.
Bake into preheated oven for 60-65 minutes. Check by inserting a toothpick in the center of the loaf, if it should come out clean.
Remove it from oven and let it cool in pan for 10 minutes.
Then remove it on cooling rack and let it cool completely before you slice.
Notes
** Applesauce – I have used store bought applesauce. But you make at home. Let’s quickly go through how to make applesauce at home: peel, core and cut 3 medium apples. Cook them with 6 tablespoons of water on low heat till cooked (about 20 minutes). Mash it with potato masher until you get desired consistency (chunky or smooth). You can use chunky or smooth applesauce in this bread recipe. I have used smooth and store bought one.