Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F) and grease a standard loaf pan or line it with parchment paper.
In a small bowl, mash ½ cup of strawberries with a fork until chunky and juicy. Set aside.
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt until evenly combined. Sifting helps keep the batter light and smooth.
In another bowl, whisk the Greek yogurt, sugar, egg, and melted butter until the mixture is smooth and slightly frothy, filling the air with a gentle aroma.
Gently fold the wet mixture into the dry ingredients, just until combined—be careful not to overmix, as this keeps the loaf tender and airy.
Stir in the mashed strawberries and the chopped fresh strawberries if using, helping to distribute the vibrant juice and color throughout the batter.
Pour the batter into your prepared loaf pan, smoothing the top with a spatula. The batter should fill about three-quarters of the pan.
Bake in the preheated oven for 40-45 minutes, until the top is golden and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. If the loaf browns too quickly, loosely tent with foil.
Remove the loaf from the oven and let it rest in the pan for about 10 minutes; this helps it set and makes slicing easier.
Transfer the loaf to a wire rack and let it cool completely before slicing to prevent crumbling. The loaf will reveal beautiful pink swirls and a tender crumb.
Slice with a serrated knife, serve plain or with a dollop of yogurt or fresh berries for an extra special touch. Enjoy the bright flavors and cozy texture!
