If you're interested in bread making but haven't tried your hand at it before, or you're looking for something a bit different, I nearly always recommend soda bread, like this fruit loaf.
It's super easy to make and very quick as there's no proving or kneading.
For this recipe I've replaced the more traditional buttermilk with Onken Plain Grain, a slightly sweetened plain yogurt made extra delicious with addition of 5 grains - Barley, Oats, Rye, Wheat and Rice. I've also added some fruit and nuts to make this loaf extra special.
And let me tell you, the crumb turned out even better than I hoped it would! The yogurt made the whole thing just that little bit extra chewy and the fruit loaf was sublime when served sliced and toasted, topped with sliced banana, honey and a drizzle of Onken Plain Grain for the perfect Summer treat.
So, on with the cooking! Here’s how to make this fab recipe for a healthy summer breakfast, which makes one large loaf.
Ingredients
For the loaf
- 250 g (8.82 oz) wholemeal self-raising flour (self rising flour) (plus up to 50g when shaping)
- 1 tsp bicarbonate of soda (baking soda)
- 450 g 1 pot Onken Plain Grain
- 1 medium free range eggs
- 30 g (1.06 oz) sunflower seeds
- 20 g (0.71 oz) raisins
- 20 g (0.71 oz) dried apricots chopped
- 15 g (0.53 oz) pumpkin seeds
- 15 g (0.53 oz) dried cranberries
- 2 tbsp rolled oats
To top the toast for two
- 2 bananas sliced
- 2 tbsp honey
- 1 tbsp rolled oats
- 4 tbsp Onken Plain Grain
Equipment
Instructions
To make the loaf
Pre-heat the oven to 200C/390F fan (220C/430F). Mix the flour, bicarb and salt in a large bowl.
Add the Onken Plain Grain and mix well.
Add the egg and mix well.
Add the fruit and nuts and mix well.
Tip the dough onto a well floured surface. Knead very briefly to form into a round. If it's too sticky, keep adding flour to your board and kneading through.
Lift the dough onto a tray lined with baking paper. Sprinkle with the oats, then score some 1cm deep lines in the top of the loaf with a sharp knife.
Bake for 20-25 minutes. To test if the loaf is baked through, turn the loaf over and tap on the bottom to see if it sounds hollow.
Leave the loaf to cool on a wire rack.
Allow to cool completely before eating. Store in an airtight container until ready to eat.
To make the topped toast
Once cool, cut the loaf into 1cm slices.
Toast 3 slices per person, then top with sliced banana, a squirt of honey, a scattering of oats and side of Onken Plain Grain.
Enjoy!
Which fruits would you add to make the perfect fruit loaf?
Looking for more delicious recipes featuring summer fruits? These yogurty breakfast muffins are a popular breakfast treat!
Print this fruity soda bread loaf recipe
Homemade Fruit Loaf Recipe with Summer Berries
Ingredients
For the loaf
- 250 g (8.82 oz) wholemeal self-raising flour (self rising flour) (plus up to 50g when shaping)
- 1 tsp bicarbonate of soda (baking soda)
- 450 g 1 pot Onken Plain Grain
- 1 medium free range eggs
- 30 g (1.06 oz) sunflower seeds
- 20 g (0.71 oz) raisins
- 20 g (0.71 oz) dried apricots chopped
- 15 g (0.53 oz) pumpkin seeds
- 15 g (0.53 oz) dried cranberries
- 2 tbsp rolled oats
To top the toast for two
- 2 bananas sliced
- 2 tbsp honey
- 1 tbsp rolled oats
- 4 tbsp Onken Plain Grain
Instructions
To make the loaf
- Pre-heat the oven to 200C/390F fan (220C/430F). Mix the flour, bicarb and salt in a large bowl.
- Add the Onken Plain Grain and mix well.
- Add the egg and mix well.
- Add the fruit and nuts and mix well.
- Tip the dough onto a well floured surface. Knead very briefly to form into a round. If it's too sticky, keep adding flour to your board and kneading through.
- Lift the dough onto a tray lined with baking paper. Sprinkle with the oats, then score some 1cm deep lines in the top of the loaf with a sharp knife.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes. To test if the loaf is baked through, turn the loaf over and tap on the bottom to see if it sounds hollow.
- Leave the loaf to cool on a wire rack.
To make the topped toast
- Once cool, cut the loaf into 1cm slices.
- Toast 3 slices per person, then top with sliced banana, a squirt of honey, a scattering of oats and side of Onken Plain Grain.
Video
Nutrition
This is a commissioned post for Onken.
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Dannii says
This is such a great breakfast idea and a great way to eat more fruit.
Charlotte says
This sounds amazing, I've always wanted to make bread and the idea of a sweet one for breakfast is perfect, great pictures too! Xx
melissa major says
This looks like a very nice fruit loaf, I haven't made one before but tempted to make this one
MELANIE EDJOURIAN says
What a lovely idea. I've never made a fruit loaf before. I must try this and hopefully the kids will enjoy it too although it's like a cake so I guess they will!!!!
Jemma @ Celery and Cupcakes says
Oh what a great recipe, a fruit loaf is a perfect summer breakfast idea :) Sounds delicious topped with banana!
Nayna Kanabar says
I love fruit loaves and this one looks so delicious with all the fruit and seeds, the yoghurt must have made it really soft.
Lottie says
This looks really yummy! I'm in the look out for some new breakfast ideas so I can't wait to try this.
Mayuri Patel says
I've yet to try baking a soda bread and this one is so so tempting, full of fruits and seeds.