Easy No Knead Spiced Fruit Bread Recipe

My Cozy Kitchen Helper

This spiced fruit bread is my old friend. It never asks for fancy skills. You just mix everything in one bowl.

No kneading is needed. I love recipes like that. They leave you time to watch the birds outside your window. What is your favorite thing to do while waiting for dough to rise?

A Little Story About Patience

I once had a grandchild visit me. He peeked at the rising dough every five minutes. He was so impatient for warm bread.

I told him good things take time. I still laugh at that. Letting the dough rise fully matters. It makes the bread soft and light inside. Rushing it gives you a dense loaf.

The Fun Part: Adding the Fruit

Now we add the fruit and spices. I use cranberries and raisins. You can use any dried fruit you love.

Gently fold them in. Doesn’t that smell amazing? The cinnamon and nutmeg make the whole house feel warm. This is why baking matters. It fills your home with love and good smells.

Time for the Oven

We brush the loaf with a little beaten egg. This gives it a beautiful, shiny top. Then it goes into a hot oven.

Fun fact: The egg wash is like a magic coat for the bread. It makes the crust golden. Do you prefer a soft crust or a crispy one on your bread?

The Hardest Step of All

Taking the bread out of the oven is exciting. It looks and smells so good. But you must let it cool completely.

I know, it is very hard to wait. But this matters most. Slicing it warm makes the inside gummy. Waiting gives you the perfect slice. Trust me on this.

Your Turn to Bake

This recipe is a wonderful start for new bakers. It is simple and kind. It almost always turns out right.

What fruit combination would you try? I once used chopped apricots and it was lovely. Please tell me if you make it. I would love to hear your story.

Ingredients:

Ingredient	Amount	Notes
All-purpose flour	357 g (2 3/4 cups)
Warm water	210 ml (1 cup + 2 tbsp)
Instant yeast	1 tsp	or 1 1/4 tsp active dry yeast
Salt	1 tsp
Butter, melted	42.6 g (3 tbsp)
Sugar	32 g (2 1/2 tbsp)
Cranberries	80-90 g (about 1/2 cup)	Dried
Raisins	80-90 g (about 1/2 cup)	Dried
Currants	60-70 g (about 1/2 cup)	Dried
Dry whole cherries	80-90 g (about 1/2 cup)	Optional
Cinnamon powder	1/2 tsp	Optional
Cardamom powder	1/4 tsp	Optional
Nutmeg powder	1/4 tsp	Optional
Vanilla sugar or vanilla extract	1/2 tsp

My Cozy Spiced Fruit Bread

Hello, my dear! Come sit with me in the kitchen. The smell of baking bread is the coziest smell I know. It always reminds me of my own grandma. She taught me this easy fruit bread recipe. The best part? There is no kneading at all. Your hands stay mostly clean! We just mix and let it rest. It’s like a little nap for the dough. I love how the spices fill the whole house. Doesn’t that smell amazing?

Let’s gather our things. You will need a big bowl and a loaf pan. I like to use my favorite wooden spoon for mixing. It feels just right in my hand. Now, let’s make some magic together.

Step 1: Wake Up the Yeast

First, we wake up the yeast. Put the warm water in your big bowl. It should feel like a warm bath, not too hot. Add the yeast, sugar, and salt. Give it a gentle stir. Then pour in the melted butter. I still laugh at that sizzle sound. Now, slowly add the flour. Mix until you see no more dry spots. The dough will look a little messy and shaggy. That is perfectly fine, I promise!

Step 2: The First Rise

Now, we let our dough take its first nap. Just cover the bowl with a clean cloth. Find a warm spot for it, like on top of the fridge. Let it sit for about an hour. It will get all puffy and almost double in size. (My hard-learned tip: If your kitchen is cool, it might need an extra 30 minutes. Don’t rush it!). Patience makes the fluffiest bread.

Step 3: Add Fruit & Shape

Look at that! Our dough is all grown up. Now for the fun part—the fruit! Gently mix in all your dried fruit and spices. Try not to push out all the air. Then, press the dough into a rectangle on the counter. Roll it up tightly, like a little rug. Tuck it into your greased loaf pan, seam-side down. Cover it and let it rise again. This time for about 90 minutes. Do you like cranberries or raisins more? Share below!

Step 4: Bake to Perfection

Time to bake! Preheat your oven. Right before baking, we give our loaf a shiny coat. Just brush the top with a beaten egg. This makes the crust so pretty and golden. Bake it, then turn the heat down a bit. If the top gets too dark, just lay a piece of foil over it loosely. You will know it’s done when a knife poked in the middle comes out clean.

Step 5: Cool Completely

The hardest part is next. As soon as it’s out of the oven, take the bread from the pan. Put it on a cooling rack. I know you want to slice it right away. The smell is so tempting! But you must let it cool completely. This keeps the inside soft and perfect. Waiting is worth it, I promise.

Cook Time: 30–35 minutes
Total Time: About 3 hours 30 minutes
Yield: 1 lovely loaf
Category: Baking, Bread

Three Fun Twists to Try

This recipe is like a good friend—it’s happy to change things up! Here are some of my favorite ways to make it new. You can mix and match any of these ideas. Cooking should always be fun.

Orange Zest & Almond

Add the zest of one orange to the dough. Mix in a handful of sliced almonds with the fruit. It tastes so sunny and bright.

Chocolate Chip Surprise

Swap the dried fruit for chocolate chips. Add a teaspoon of cinnamon. It turns into a sweet, dessert-like treat.

Apple Pie Bread

Use chopped dried apples instead of the fruit mix. Add a extra teaspoon of cinnamon and a pinch of nutmeg. It’s like eating apple pie in a slice of bread!

Which one would you try first? Comment below!

How to Serve Your Beautiful Bread

A warm slice of this bread is a hug from the inside. For a simple breakfast, just spread a little butter on it. The butter will melt right in. For an afternoon treat, toast a slice and add a drizzle of honey. It’s pure happiness. You could even serve it with a sharp cheddar cheese. The sweet and salty mix is wonderful.

What should we drink with it? A cold glass of milk is my top choice. It’s the perfect partner. For the grown-ups, a cup of hot tea with a splash of milk is just right. It’s so cozy for a quiet moment. Which would you choose tonight?

Keeping Your Spiced Fruit Bread Fresh

Fresh bread is a special treat. Let’s make sure it stays that way. Once your loaf is completely cool, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap. It will stay soft on the counter for about three days.

For longer storage, slice it first. Then you can freeze the slices in a bag. I remember my first loaf disappearing too fast. Now I always freeze half for a happy surprise later.

To reheat, just pop a frozen slice in the toaster. It will taste warm and fresh. Batch cooking like this saves time and reduces waste. It means you always have a little something sweet to share. Have you ever tried storing it this way? Share below!

Simple Fixes for Common Bread Problems

Sometimes our baking doesn’t go as planned. That is perfectly okay. Here are some easy fixes for common troubles.

If your dough didn’t rise, your yeast might be old. I once used yeast from the back of my cupboard. The bread was very flat. Test yeast in warm water with a pinch of sugar first. It should get foamy. This matters because good yeast makes your bread light and airy.

Is your bread too dense? You might have added too much flour. Spoon your flour into the cup. Then level it off with a knife. A lighter hand with flour gives you a softer loaf. This improves the texture and makes it more enjoyable to eat. Which of these problems have you run into before?

Your Quick Bread Questions Answered

Q: Can I make this gluten-free?

A: Yes. Use a good gluten-free flour blend made for bread.

Q: Can I make the dough ahead?

A: You can. Let it do its first rise in the fridge overnight.

Q: What other fruits can I use?

A: Any dried fruit works. Try chopped apricots or dates for a change.

Q: Can I make a bigger batch?

A: You can double the recipe. Just use two loaf pans.

Q: Is the egg wash necessary?

A: No, but it gives the crust a lovely golden color. Which tip will you try first?

Bake, Share, and Enjoy

I hope you love making this spiced fruit bread. The smell filling your kitchen is the best part. It reminds me of my own grandmother’s house.

Fun fact: The smell of baking bread makes people feel happier. I would love to see your beautiful creations. Sharing food is a way to share love. Have you tried this recipe? Tag us on Pinterest!

Happy cooking!

—Olivia Hartwell.