Fruity, Seedy, Nutty Loaf (GF, VG)

Looking for something to get you out of bed these cold winter mornings, or a comforting 3pm snack? I have you covered!

I've always found that the available gluten free fruit breads just don't do it for me, or they're way too expensive. So, I thought I would make my own.

It's got lots goodness from fruit, seeds and nuts, and it smells SO good when its baking. It's super simple to make too!

Ingredients

• 1 1/4 C buckwheat flour

• 1c nuts (I use 1/2 chopped walnuts and 1/2 sliced almonds)

• 1/2C seeds (I use pumpkin and sunflower seeds)

• 1 1/2C dried fruit (I use 1/2C each of dried apricots (halved or quartered), dried figs (quartered) and raisins)

• 1 tsp baking powder

• 1 tsp baking soda

• 1 tsp cinnamon

• 1 tbsp maple syrup

• 1/4C (60mL) extra virgin olive oil

• 1C water

• sunflower and linseeds for topping

• Optional: if you want more spices: 1tsp mixed spice OR 1tsp ginger can also be added.

• Optional: 2 tbs psyllium husk powder (acts as a binding agent, I often make it without if I don't have any, though the texture will be "crumblier")

Method

• Preheat oven to 180C.

• Chop up your dried fruit and nuts and add to a mixing bowl.

• Add in your seeds, maple syrup, water and oil too. Mix together well.

• In another bowl add in your flour, cinnamon, baking powder and baking soda

• Add the flour mix to the bowl with the dried fruit and mix well until combined- ensure the dried fruit is not sticking together and there are no spots of dry flour.

• Either line loaf tin with baking paper, or spray with extra virgin olive oil spray.

• Add dough to the loaf tin and evenly spread out the mixture.

• Top with a sprinkle of sunflower seeds and linseeds.

• Bake for 45 minutes at 180C. Check it is cooked through by using a skewer to pierce the loaf.

• Leave to sit in tin for 10 minutes, then remove and cool on cooling rack.

• It's all done, top with a spread or nut butter of choice! It freezes and defrosts really well too, but cut it up before freezing!

Nutrition Information (Per slice, makes 12 slices)

224 Cal | 6.4g Protein | 10.4g Fat | 1.0g Sat. Fat | 23.9g Carbs | 14g Sugar | 5g Fibre

Notes

• I recommend toasting the slices under a grill or in the oven, as opposed to a toaster, as it does not hold together like a normal slice of bread would and can break around the larger pieces of dried fruit.