This Fall Fig Bread with Cardamom, Cloves & Maple Syrup captures cozy autumn flavors in every slice. Expect fragrant spices, sweet figs, and a touch of maple—the perfect bread for cool mornings or snack time. You’ll get the story behind this seasonal treat, ingredient guide, step-by-step baking, FAQs, and serving tips.
Table of Contents
Why I Love This Recipe
Inspired by crisp fall mornings
One chilly October morning, I woke craving a warm slice of bread that felt like the season. I had fresh figs, warm spices, and a bottle of maple syrup—classic fall flavors waiting to be combined. I mixed them into a simple quick bread batter, and soon the kitchen smelled like autumn. The result reminded me of the cozy vibe in our Rustic Fresh Fig Cake, but in a portable, sliceable loaf you could enjoy all week.
Why this bread feels special
This bread combines warm spices with juicy fruit and a hint of sweetness. Cardamom and cloves add aromatic depth, while maple syrup lends a natural, rich sweetness. Figs keep the loaf moist and add texture. It’s simple, comforting, and ideal for fall—no frosting needed, just a drizzle of maple or butter.
Ingredients & Prep
Main ingredients you’ll need
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp baking soda
- ½ tsp salt
- 1 tsp ground cardamom
- ½ tsp ground cloves
- 2 large eggs
- ⅓ cup maple syrup
- ⅓ cup olive oil or melted butter
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- ¾ cup milk (dairy or non-dairy)
- 1 cup fresh figs, quartered
- Optional: chopped nuts or seeds for topping
These ingredients share familiar flavors with our Fresh Fig Bars, but the spices and maple give this bread a cozy fall twist.
Prep tips for easy baking
Preheat your oven to 350°F. Line and grease a 9×5-inch loaf pan. Wash and dry figs carefully before cutting. Gather and measure all spices and wet ingredients—this keeps the process smooth. If you like extra texture, toss figs briefly in flour before adding them to the batter to keep them from sinking.
Baking the Bread
Mix dry and wet components
In a bowl, whisk flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cardamom, and cloves. In another bowl, beat eggs, maple syrup, oil or butter, vanilla, and milk until smooth.
Combine and bake
Gently fold the wet mixture into dry ingredients until just combined. Fold in figs, then pour the batter into the prepared pan. Sprinkle chopped nuts or seeds on top if using. Bake for 45–55 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean with a few moist crumbs. If the top starts to brown too fast, loosely cover with foil.
Cool, slice, and serve
Let the bread cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack. Slice and serve warm, maybe with a pat of butter or a drizzle of maple syrup. This loaf captures the cozy spice of fall in every bite—perfect with coffee or tea.
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Fall Fig Bread with Cardamom, Cloves & Maple Syrup
- Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
- Yield: 1 loaf (8–10 slices)
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
A cozy fall quick bread made with fresh figs, warm cardamom, cloves, and naturally sweetened with maple syrup. Perfect for breakfast or an afternoon snack.
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp baking soda
- ½ tsp salt
- 1 tsp ground cardamom
- ½ tsp ground cloves
- 2 large eggs
- ⅓ cup maple syrup
- ⅓ cup olive oil or melted butter
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- ¾ cup milk (any type)
- 1 cup fresh figs, quartered
- Optional: chopped nuts or seeds for topping
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line and grease a 9×5-inch loaf pan.
- In a large bowl, mix flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cardamom, and cloves.
- In another bowl, whisk eggs, maple syrup, oil or butter, vanilla, and milk.
- Pour wet ingredients into dry. Stir until just combined. Fold in figs.
- Pour batter into pan. Top with optional nuts or seeds.
- Bake for 45–55 minutes, until a toothpick comes out clean.
- Cool in pan 10 minutes, then transfer to wire rack to cool completely.
- Slice and serve warm or at room temperature.
Notes
Use soaked dried figs if fresh are unavailable. Add chopped walnuts or pecans for extra texture. Freezes well sliced and wrapped individually.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: Seasonal
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 230
- Sugar: 14g
- Sodium: 160mg
- Fat: 9g
- Saturated Fat: 1.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 32g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 35mg
Keywords: fall fig bread, maple fig bread, cardamom fig loaf, spiced fig bread
FAQ
Can I use dried figs?
Yes—soak in warm water for 10 minutes, drain, and pat dry. They’ll add more sweetness but still work well.
Can I make it gluten-free?
Use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend and add 1/4 tsp xanthan gum. Texture changes slightly but flavor stays rich.
How should I store leftovers?
Wrap the cooled loaf tightly and store at room temperature for up to 3 days, or refrigerate for up to 5 days. To refresh, warm a slice in the toaster or microwave.
Can I freeze this bread?
Absolutely—slice completely, wrap each slice, and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature or reheat directly.
Can I swap spices?
Yes—cinnamon or nutmeg make great alternatives or additions to cardamom and cloves, depending on your preference.
Conclusion
This Fall Fig Bread with Cardamom, Cloves & Maple Syrup brings cozy autumn flavor to your kitchen in a simple loaf. The fragrant spices, sweet figs, and maple syrup combine in a bread everyone can enjoy any time of day—no frosting required. Whether fresh from the oven or toasted later, it pairs beautifully with tea, coffee, or a cozy evening snack.