This Fruit Bread Recipe will help you bake the best fruit loaf—soft, fluffy, golden, and packed with juicy dried fruits and warm spices. It’s a simple, no-knead recipe that anyone can make at home, even without a mixer or special equipment.

Unlike many bread recipes, this one comes together in less than 3 minutes of mixing time. No kneading required! Just stir, let it rise, shape, and bake. The result? A beautifully golden loaf with a soft texture, a fragrant aroma, and bites of sweet fruit in every slice. Perfect for snacking, toasting, or even turning into French toast the next morning.

Why You’ll Love This Easy Fruit Bread

Minimal ingredients – pantry staples and dried fruit.
No kneading, no mixer needed – mix the dough in a bowl in minutes.
Soft and flavorful – tender texture with a hint of spice.
Customizable – use your favorite mix of dried fruits and spices.
Festive aroma – the cinnamon, cardamom, and nutmeg make it smell like Christmas morning.

This bread is delicious on its own, toasted with butter, or made into fruit bread French toast for breakfast.

Ingredients

For the Bread Dough

2 ¾ cups (357 g) all-purpose flour
1 cup – 2 tbsp (210 ml) warm water
1 tsp instant yeast (or 1 ¼ tsp active dry yeast)
1 tsp (5.9 g) salt
3 tbsp (42.6 g) unsalted butter, melted
2 ½ tbsp (32 g) sugar (adjust to taste)

For the Fruit & Spice Mix

½ cup (80–90 g) dried cranberries
½ cup (80–90 g) raisins
½ cup (60–70 g) currants
½ cup (80–90 g, optional) dried whole cherries
½ tsp cinnamon powder (optional)
¼ tsp cardamom powder (optional)
¼ tsp nutmeg powder (optional)
½ tsp vanilla extract or vanilla sugar

Tip: Use 300–340 g of total dried fruit. Feel free to swap in candied fruit for a more festive loaf, similar to panettone.

How to Make No-Knead Fruit Bread

1. Make the Dough

In a large bowl, whisk together warm water, sugar, salt, and yeast. Stir in melted butter. Add the flour and mix until a shaggy dough forms with no dry patches.

2. First Rise

Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and let the dough rise in a warm place for about 1 hour, or until almost doubled. (Cooler rooms may take 1 ½ hours.)

3. Add Fruits & Shape

Gently fold the dried fruit mix into the dough, pressing and folding to evenly distribute without overworking. Shape into a rectangle, roll it up jelly-roll style, and place into a greased 8×4-inch loaf pan. Cover and let rise for 90 minutes.

4. Bake

Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Brush the loaf with egg wash for a glossy top. Bake for 34–35 minutes, then reduce heat to 325°F (160°C) and bake 4–5 minutes more, until golden brown. Tent with foil if the top browns too quickly.

5. Cool & Serve

Let the bread cool in the pan for 2–3 minutes, then transfer to a rack. Cool completely before slicing—this allows the steam to finish cooking the inside.

Tips for the Best Fruit Bread

Cool before slicing – prevents a doughy texture.
Add spices to taste – cinnamon, cardamom, or nutmeg make it extra fragrant.
Use butter on top – brush warm bread with butter for a softer crust.
Perfect for French toast – this spiced bread makes the best next-day breakfast.

Storing & Freezing

Store at room temperature for 3–4 days in a bag or wrapped in foil.
Freeze for up to 3 months in an airtight container or freezer bag.
To reheat, brush slices with water and bake at 350°F (175°C) for 5 minutes to restore freshness.

French Toast with Fruit Bread

This fruit bread makes the best French toast since it’s already flavored with spices and fruit.

French Toast Ingredients:

2 eggs
¼ cup (60 ml) milk
1 tbsp sugar
Pinch of salt

Instructions:
Whisk ingredients together. Dip fruit bread slices, then cook on a buttered skillet until golden on both sides. Serve hot with maple syrup or powdered sugar.

Variations

Swap water for milk in the dough for richer flavor.
Replace some dried fruits with candied fruit for a Christmas-style loaf.
Add nuts (like walnuts or almonds) for extra crunch.

This soft, no-knead fruit bread is a cozy, festive recipe you’ll want to make year-round. Whether enjoyed fresh from the oven, toasted for breakfast, or turned into French toast, it’s sure to be a family favorite.