If you’re looking for a loaf that manages to be both wholesome and wonderfully indulgent, Mediterranean Harvest Bread with Fruit and Nuts might just become your new go-to recipe. It’s a vibrant celebration of the Mediterranean pantry, weaving together sweet dried fruits, crunchy nuts, and the aromatic warmth of orange zest and spices—all bound by the golden touch of olive oil and honey. With each slice, you’ll savor complex textures, pops of tang from Greek yogurt, and the kind of nourishing, natural sweetness that makes breakfast, snack time, or a tea break feel like a special occasion. Whether you pair it with coffee or tuck it into a basket for sharing, this bread brings that abundant Mediterranean spirit to your home table.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This loaf is all about accessible, nutritious ingredients that each play a vital role—the right flours add heartiness, the spices infuse warmth, while the fruit and nuts create bursts of flavor with every bite. Gather these simple essentials and you’re halfway to a bakery-worthy result!
- All-purpose flour: Provides a light, tender crumb as the backbone of the bread.
- Whole wheat flour: Adds satisfying nuttiness and a hearty texture, making the bread more filling.
- Baking powder: Gives the loaf its pleasant lift and lightness.
- Baking soda: Works alongside the yogurt to help the bread rise evenly.
- Salt: Brightens and balances the flavors—never skip it.
- Ground cinnamon: Adds a cozy, aromatic note that complements the sweet fruit.
- Ground nutmeg: Lends gentle warmth and a touch of Mediterranean depth.
- Olive oil: For that iconic Mediterranean richness and extra moisture.
- Honey or maple syrup: Brings natural sweetness; choose your favorite for a personal touch.
- Eggs: Bind the batter and provide structure and moisture.
- Greek yogurt: Contributes tang, tenderness, and a fantastic crumb.
- Vanilla extract: Enhances the other flavors and gives complexity.
- Dried figs: Sweet, chewy, and loaded with subtle crunch.
- Dried apricots: Offer sunny color and tartness in every bite.
- Walnuts: Toasty and flavorful, walnuts bring richness and crunch.
- Pistachios: Provide unexpected bursts of flavor and vibrant color.
- Raisins or golden raisins: Plump and juicy, they pop with sweetness.
- Orange zest: Adds bright, fragrant Mediterranean flair that ties it all together.
How to Make Mediterranean Harvest Bread with Fruit and Nuts
Step 1: Prep the Pan and Preheat
Start by getting your workspace ready. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C), and generously grease a 9×5-inch loaf pan or line it with parchment paper for easy removal. This step means your Mediterranean Harvest Bread with Fruit and Nuts will bake evenly and release without sticking—trust me, it’s worth the two extra minutes!
Step 2: Mix the Dry Ingredients
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, whole wheat flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Whisking not only combines everything but also helps aerate the dry ingredients, resulting in a lighter loaf. The spices and flour here will harmonize as the earthy backdrop to the bright fruit and crunchy nuts.
Step 3: Combine the Wet Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk the olive oil and honey (or maple syrup) together until smooth, then beat in the eggs, Greek yogurt, and vanilla extract until you have a creamy, unified mixture. This blend will infuse every slice of your bread with luscious Mediterranean moisture and subtle sweetness.
Step 4: Bring It All Together
Pour the wet mixture into the bowl of dry ingredients and gently stir just until combined. Avoid overmixing to keep your loaf tender and light. Then, fold in the chopped figs, apricots, walnuts, pistachios, raisins, and that all-important orange zest. The batter transforms into a mosaic of textures and colors, full of Mediterranean promise.
Step 5: Bake the Loaf
Spoon the luxurious batter into your prepared pan, smoothing the top with a spatula. Slide it into the oven and bake for 50–60 minutes. The house will fill with the irresistible scent of spices, fruit, and toasty nuts. Test for doneness with a toothpick inserted in the center—it should come out clean or with just a few crumbs attached.
Step 6: Cool and Enjoy
Let the bread cool in the pan for 10 minutes before turning it out onto a wire rack to cool completely. This short pause helps the Mediterranean Harvest Bread with Fruit and Nuts set and develop even more flavor depth as it rests.
How to Serve Mediterranean Harvest Bread with Fruit and Nuts
Garnishes
A bit of garnish brings visual appeal and an extra pop of flavor. Try a dusting of powdered sugar, a drizzle of honey, or a sprinkle of extra chopped nuts and orange zest right before serving. These touches add elegance and hint at the bread’s sweet, fragrant notes.
Side Dishes
This loaf is delicious simply sliced, but you can heighten the experience with creamy sides: think a swipe of tangy cream cheese, Greek yogurt, or even unsalted butter. For breakfast, pair it with fresh berries or citrus segments. It also makes a wonderful companion for herbal teas or a foamy cappuccino.
Creative Ways to Present
Get festive and cut the Mediterranean Harvest Bread with Fruit and Nuts into cubes for a brunch platter, or toast thick slices and top them with ricotta and honey for a Mediterranean snack. For gatherings, bake mini loaves as edible gifts—just wrap in parchment and add a bow for an instant crowd-pleaser.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Wrap any leftover bread tightly in plastic wrap or store in an airtight container at room temperature. Mediterranean Harvest Bread with Fruit and Nuts develops deeper, more pronounced flavors after a day or two—if you can resist that long—making it a fantastic make-ahead treat.
Freezing
This bread freezes beautifully! Once completely cool, slice and wrap individual pieces or the entire loaf in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer bag. Freeze for up to three months. Pull out a slice when you need a quick, wholesome breakfast or snack.
Reheating
To enjoy that fresh-baked warmth, reheat slices in a toaster or warm in a 300°F (150°C) oven for about 8–10 minutes. If reheating from frozen, pop slices straight in the toaster or let them thaw at room temperature before warming in the oven. The fruit and nuts taste heavenly warmed up!
FAQs
Can I substitute different nuts or fruits?
Absolutely! Feel free to mix and match your favorite dried fruits (like dates, cranberries, or cherries) and choose from pecans, almonds, or hazelnuts instead of walnuts and pistachios. The core concept of Mediterranean Harvest Bread with Fruit and Nuts is flexibility—personalize it to your pantry.
Is this bread sweet enough for dessert?
While this bread has a gentle honeyed sweetness and a deliciously tender crumb, it’s not as sugary as a cake. For a dessert vibe, try serving it with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a spoonful of mascarpone drizzled with honey.
What makes Mediterranean Harvest Bread with Fruit and Nuts healthier than regular sweet breads?
Using olive oil, Greek yogurt, and whole wheat flour adds heart-healthy fats, a bit of protein, and fiber, while dried fruit and nuts contribute natural sweetness, minerals, and extra nutrition. It’s a breakfast loaf you can feel great about.
Why let the bread rest before slicing?
Resisting that first slice allows the crumb to finish setting and the flavors to meld beautifully—Mediterranean Harvest Bread with Fruit and Nuts is at its prime after a day’s rest. Wrapped well, it stays moist and flavorful for several days at room temp.
Does it work as muffins or mini loaves?
Definitely! Simply divide the batter between muffin tins or mini loaf pans, adjust the baking time down to 20–25 minutes, and check with a toothpick. You’ll have perfectly portioned, portable treats packed with Mediterranean-inspired goodness.
Final Thoughts
Don’t miss out on the cozy aromas and nourishing flavors of Mediterranean Harvest Bread with Fruit and Nuts. Whether you serve it for breakfast, share it at brunch, or tuck a slice into your bag as a snack, it’s sure to become a cherished favorite—give it a try and make any day feel a bit more special.
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Mediterranean Harvest Bread with Fruit and Nuts Recipe
- Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Yield: 1 loaf (10 slices) 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This Mediterranean Harvest Bread with Fruit and Nuts is a wholesome and flavorful loaf perfect for breakfast or as a snack. Packed with dried fruits, nuts, and warm spices, this bread is moist and delicious.
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup whole wheat flour
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
Wet Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup olive oil
- 1/2 cup honey or maple syrup
- 2 large eggs
- 1/2 cup Greek yogurt
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Additional Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup chopped dried figs
- 1/2 cup chopped dried apricots
- 1/2 cup chopped walnuts
- 1/4 cup chopped pistachios
- 1/4 cup raisins or golden raisins
- 2 tablespoons orange zest
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease or line a 9×5-inch loaf pan with parchment paper.
- Mix dry ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, whole wheat flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
- Combine wet ingredients: In another bowl, whisk the olive oil, honey (or maple syrup), eggs, Greek yogurt, and vanilla until smooth. Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and stir until just combined.
- Add fruits and nuts: Gently fold in the figs, apricots, walnuts, pistachios, raisins, and orange zest.
- Bake: Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan and bake for 50–60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Cool: Allow the bread to cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
Notes
- This bread gets better after a day—wrap and store at room temperature to let the flavors develop.
- Delicious toasted with a smear of butter, cream cheese, or fruit preserves.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 55 minutes
- Category: Breakfast, Snack
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mediterranean-Inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 260
- Sugar: 15g
- Sodium: 160mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 34g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 30mg
