Pistachio Almond Bread

This pistachio almond loaf makes a delicious holiday quick bread. It is made with spelt flour and sweetened only with maple syrup. With a bit of kefir added to the dough you can be sure this bread is moist and buttery. Most pistachio quick breads are made with cake mix, box pudding and artificial coloring. If you're looking for something healthy to indulge in this holiday season you've come to the right place! I hope you enjoy this fun and unique bread.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup kefir

• 1/2 cup maple syrup

• 1 tsp almond extract

• 2 eggs

• 2 tbsp melted butter

• 1/4 cup orange juice

• 1 cup whole shelled pistachios

• 1 tsp baking powder

• 1/2 tsp baking soda

• 2 cups spelt flour

• For optional glaze

• 1 and 1/2 cups powdered sugar

• 2 tbsp raw milk

• 1/4 tsp almond extract

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 350 F. Butter or oil a standard loaf pan.

2. Put the pistachios in a food processor and pulse until finely ground. Put aside.

3. In a medium size bowl, whisk the kefir, maple syrup, almond extract, eggs, butter and orange juice until combined.

4. In a large bowl, combine the pistachios, baking powder, baking soda and flour. Then fold in the wet ingredients until combined.

5. Pour the batter into your prepared loaf pan. Bake for 55-60 minutes until golden and a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean.

6. Let cool in the pan on a wire rack.

7. For the glaze, whisk all 3 ingredients together until smooth. Drizzle over a completely cooled loaf. Enjoy!