I am literally obsessed with this loaf. I have made it four times in the last month! My husband loves it for breakfast and I have been having a slice for lunch a few times a week. It's super versatile. The dried fruit gives it a sweet, but not too sweet, flavor...there is no added sugar! And the nuts and seeds give it a rich, hearty taste. It is excellent plain or with a spread of butter. I like it with almond butter and berries or sliced apples on top. I also like it with a soft, spreadable cheese and sliced cucumbers. It really is so versatile.
I found this recipe in The Wholesome Life eBook by Ellie Bullen (which has some great recipes, btw), but I have made some tweaks to the ingredients. Her original recipe is vegan. I added eggs to this recipe because because I felt the loaf needed a binder to hold it together better when sliced. I reduced the amount of water, subbed coconut oil for olive oil, and changed the type of flour used. Another tip on making sure the bread holds tight when sliced is to chop the dried fruit and nuts into fairly small pieces.
I really hope you love this recipe as much as I do! Enjoy!
1 cup whole wheat pastry flour
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp salt
1 1/2 cup chopped dried fruit*
1 cup nuts**
1 cup seeds***
1/4 cup coconut oil, melted
1 tsp vanilla
3/4 cup water
2 beaten eggs
+ extra 1 tbsp of seeds for topping
*Dried fruit suggestions:
figs
apricots
cherries
Craisins
raisins
dates
apples
**Nut suggestions:
walnuts
pecans
almonds
hazelnuts
***Seed suggestions:
pumpkin seeds
sunflower seeds
flax seeds
hemp seeds
Preheat oven to 350F
Grease a loaf pan with coconut oil and set aside.
Chop all dried fruit and nuts into small, yet irregular sized, pieces with a knife (I recommend this over using a food processor which could turn the fruit into paste).
In a medium bowl combine all fruits, nuts and seeds. Add flour, baking soda and powder, cinnamon and salt. In another bowl combine melted coconut oil, vanilla, water, and eggs. Whisk to combine wet ingredients.
Pour wet ingredients on flour/fruit/nut/seed mixture. Stir until combined. Pour into prepared loaf pan.
Bake for 30 minutes. Remove from oven and allow to cool completely before transferring to a cutting board and slicing. Enjoy plain or with butter, jam, nut butter, cheese, etc. This bread can go any way you like!! Top with sliced apples, berries, cucumbers, tomatoes....just go with what you are craving!
