The Infamous Nut Loaf

This nut loaf has been in our family for over 40 years when my mum first picked up the recipe while travelling America. Since, it's undergone many adaptations and has been delicious every single time (with only one exception when I first tried my hand at gluten free baking...it may or may not have turned out a bit like a brick). But other than that, I swear it always works like a charm!

One thing I love is that it lends itself to all sorts of flavour variations depending on what you're in the mood for or have in your cupboard. Throw in some banana or berries, add some desiccated coconut, the list goes on! I've put a few variation ideas below the recipe. Enjoy!

The Infamous Nut Loaf

3 cups wholemeal wheat flour *
1/3 cup coconut sugar
4 teaspoons baking powder
1 tablespoon cinnamon
3/4 cup chopped nuts or seeds
1 egg, beaten
2 teaspoons extra virgin olive oil
1 cup milk of choice
Juice of 1 orange, including the pulp (about 1/2 cup)

* For a gluten free version, substitute the flour for a blend of 3 different gluten free flours. I recommend almond meal, oat flour and buckwheat flour.


1. Preheat your oven to 180 degrees Celcius
2. In a large bowl, mix together the dry ingredients
3. In a separate bowl, mix together the wet ingredients
4. Pour the wet mix into the dry mix and stir to combine
5. Transfer to a greased and lined loaf tin (about 28cm x 12cm)
6. Bake for 60 - 75 minutes. It'll be cooked when it's golden on top and a skewer inserted into the middle comes out clean
7. Leave to cool for about 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to finish cooling
8. Enjoy!

Variation ideas

  • Swap 1/2 cup of flour for rolled oats or desiccated coconut

  • Swap the orange juice for a mashed banana or an extra 1/2 cup of milk

  • Add 1/3 cup chopped dates, dried apricots, raisins, goji berries, inca berries, orange rind, cacao nibs or dark chocolate chunks

  • Add 1/2 cup berries or 1 grated apple

  • Add 1 teaspoon ground ginger and/or 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg

  • Swap 1/2 cup of flour for rolled oats or desiccated coconut

  • Swap the orange juice for a mashed banana or an extra 1/2 cup of milk

  • Add 1/3 cup chopped dates, dried apricots, raisins, goji berries, inca berries, orange rind, cacao nibs or dark chocolate chunks

  • Add 1/2 cup berries or 1 grated apple

  • Add 1 teaspoon ground ginger and/or 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg

Nina Kingsford-Smithsweet delights, sides & snacks, dessert, bread, loaf, nut loaf, wholemeal, high fibre, savoury, sweet, nutritionist sydney, nutrition sydney, nuts and seeds, baked goods, baking, wholefood recipe