If you’re searching for a deliciously hearty bake that brings together chewy dried fruits and crunchy nuts in one gloriously golden loaf, the Fruit and Nut Loaf will steal your heart (and likely your breakfast plate!). This classic quick bread is the kind of treat you’ll want on stand-by—perfect with a cup of tea in the afternoon, slathered in butter for brunch, or as a lunchbox snack. Bursting with vibrant flavors, a medley of textures, and plenty of cozy spice, Fruit and Nut Loaf is a must-bake for home bakers who appreciate a simple recipe that yields comforting, crave-worthy results.

Fruit and Nut Loaf Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

Just a handful of pantry staples and a couple of fresh additions come together to create a loaf with irresistible flavor, moisture, and charm. Each ingredient in this Fruit and Nut Loaf plays a small but crucial part in its magic, so don’t skip anything. They all work in harmony to deliver a loaf that’s seriously hard to resist!

All-purpose flour: The trusty base for our loaf, keeping everything tender yet structured.
Baking powder: Lends the loaf a lovely rise and helps create that classic domed top.
Baking soda: Partners with the acidic ingredients for an evenly baked crumb.
Salt: Just a pinch—essential to balance the sweetness and enhance every other flavor.
Ground cinnamon: The warm backbone of our spice blend, smelling like comfort itself.
Ground nutmeg: Brings mysterious depth and complexity to every bite.
Brown sugar: Adds gentle sweetness with a hint of caramel, keeping the loaf moist.
Large eggs: Bind the loaf together, adding richness and helping with the structure.
Vegetable oil: Makes the crumb tender and keeps the loaf moist longer than butter would.
Milk: Loosens up the batter just right and gives the crumb a delicate texture.
Vanilla extract: Infuses the loaf with cozy, aromatic undertones.
Mixed dried fruit: Use your favorites (raisins, cranberries, chopped dates, or apricots) for chewy pockets of sweet-tart flavor.
Chopped nuts: Walnuts, pecans, or almonds provide unbeatable crunch and toasty notes.
Unsweetened applesauce (or mashed banana): This sneaky ingredient ensures maximum moistness and keeps the loaf wonderfully tender.

How to Make Fruit and Nut Loaf

Step 1: Prep Your Oven and Pan

Start by preheating your oven to 350°F, and take a moment to grease a 9×5-inch loaf pan. This helps prevent the Fruit and Nut Loaf from sticking, so each slice emerges picture-perfect. Lining the pan with parchment also makes for easy removal later.

Step 2: Mix the Dry Ingredients

Grab a large bowl and whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg. This step evenly distributes the leavening agents and spices, ensuring your loaf has a balanced flavor and rises beautifully.

Step 3: Blend the Wet Ingredients

In a separate bowl, beat the eggs with the brown sugar, then add the vegetable oil, milk, vanilla extract, and applesauce (or mashed banana if you prefer). Whisk until smooth, making sure the brown sugar dissolves and everything is well combined. This is where most of the loaf’s moisture and richness come from.

Step 4: Combine Wet and Dry Mixtures

Pour the wet mixture into the bowl of dry ingredients, and stir gently until just combined. The key is not to overmix—the batter should still look a little lumpy. This ensures that your Fruit and Nut Loaf stays soft and tender, never tough.

Step 5: Add Fruits and Nuts

Now comes the exciting part: folding in the mixed dried fruit and chopped nuts. Take care to distribute both evenly throughout the batter so every slice offers a bite of something chewy and a crunch of something nutty. For an extra flourish, you can sprinkle extra nuts on top before baking!

Step 6: Bake and Cool

Scrape the batter into your prepared loaf pan and smooth out the top. Slide it into the oven and bake for 45 to 55 minutes. When a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean (or with just a few moist crumbs), it’s ready to come out. Let it cool in the pan for about 10 minutes, then gently lift the loaf out and let it cool completely on a wire rack before slicing.

How to Serve Fruit and Nut Loaf

Garnishes

Dress up your Fruit and Nut Loaf with a simple dusting of powdered sugar, a drizzle of honey, or a generous pat of creamy butter. For a festive touch, add a sprinkle of extra chopped nuts or a few dried fruit pieces on top just before serving.

Side Dishes

This loaf is delightful on its own, but it pairs wonderfully with a bowl of Greek yogurt, a platter of sliced seasonal fruit, or alongside a steaming mug of chai or coffee. For brunch, serve it next to some tangy cream cheese or even a dollop of ricotta for a little extra protein and creaminess.

Creative Ways to Present

Surprise guests by cubing the Fruit and Nut Loaf and serving it as part of a dessert platter with dark chocolate shards and fresh berries, or use slightly thicker slices for a decadent French toast. You can even toast slices and spread on your favorite nut butter for a snack that feels like a treat.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Once cooled completely, wrap the Fruit and Nut Loaf tightly in plastic wrap or store it in an airtight container at room temperature. It keeps moist and flavorful for up to 3 days, making it perfect for snacking throughout the week.

Freezing

This loaf freezes beautifully! Slice the loaf and wrap each slice individually in plastic wrap, or wrap the whole loaf as one. Pop them in a freezer-safe bag and you’ll have homemade treats ready anytime within the next 2 months—simply thaw at room temperature before enjoying.

Reheating

For that freshly-baked feel, warm a slice of Fruit and Nut Loaf in the microwave for about 10–15 seconds, or toast in a toaster oven until just heated through. The warmth accentuates the flavors and brings back that tender, slightly crisp texture.

FAQs

Can I use gluten-free flour in this recipe?

Absolutely! Swap the all-purpose flour with your favorite cup-for-cup gluten-free blend for a gluten-free version. The texture may be slightly different, but the loaf will still be moist and delicious.

Can I substitute the applesauce with another ingredient?

Definitely—mashed ripe banana is a wonderful alternative and adds natural sweetness and moisture. Pumpkin purée could also work for a lightly spiced fall twist.

What are the best nuts and fruits to use?

Feel free to get creative! Walnuts, pecans, and almonds are classic, but hazelnuts or pistachios are also excellent. For dried fruit, try cranberries, raisins, chopped apricots, dates, or any mixture that suits your taste and pantry.

How can I make the Fruit and Nut Loaf vegan?

Replace the eggs with flax eggs (1 tablespoon ground flaxseed mixed with 3 tablespoons water per egg) and use a plant-based milk. Be sure your brown sugar is vegan-friendly, and you’ll have a completely plant-based bake.

Why did my loaf sink in the middle?

This usually happens if the loaf is underbaked or if there was too much liquid in the batter. Make sure to bake until a toothpick comes out clean and carefully measure all your ingredients for the best result every time.

Final Thoughts

I hope you feel inspired to bake your own Fruit and Nut Loaf soon! It’s a true crowd-pleaser that celebrates both classic comfort and a bit of customizable flair. Whether enjoyed as a breakfast treat, afternoon snack, or sweet homemade gift, there’s nothing like the joy of sharing a freshly baked loaf with someone special. Happy baking!

Fruit and Nut Loaf Recipe

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4.7 from 19 reviews

Author: admin
Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
Yield: 10 slices 1x
Diet: Vegetarian

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Description

Indulge in the wholesome goodness of this Fruit and Nut Loaf, a delightful treat bursting with flavors of mixed dried fruit and crunchy nuts. This easy-to-make loaf is perfect for breakfast, snacking, or as a sweet pick-me-up during the day.

Ingredients

Scale

Dry Ingredients:

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg

Wet Ingredients:

1/2 cup brown sugar
2 large eggs
1/3 cup vegetable oil
1/4 cup milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce

Mix-ins:

1 cup mixed dried fruit (raisins, cranberries, chopped dates, or apricots)
3/4 cup chopped nuts (walnuts, pecans, or almonds)

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Instructions

Preheat and Prepare: Preheat oven to 350°F and grease a 9×5-inch loaf pan.
Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
Prepare Wet Mixture: In another bowl, mix eggs, brown sugar, oil, milk, vanilla, and applesauce until smooth.
Combine and Bake: Pour wet mixture into dry ingredients, stir until just combined. Fold in fruit and nuts. Pour batter into pan, bake for 45–55 minutes.
Cool and Serve: Allow loaf to cool in pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.