French Spiced Bread

Directions

1. 1.

   Preheat oven to 325°F. Grease loaf pans with melted butter.

2. 2.

   Toast almonds on a rimmed baking sheet, tossing once or twice, until golden brown and fragrant, 6–8 minutes. Coarsely chop zest, apricots, plums, and toasted almonds. Transfer to a small bowl.

3. 3.

   Bring honey, milk, salt, cinnamon, and star anise to a boil in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Meanwhile, whisk flour, baking powder, spice mix, and baking soda in a large bowl.

4. 4.

   Strain honey mixture through a fine-mesh sieve into dry ingredients and whisk to combine. Add eggs and whisk until incorporated. Using a spatula, quickly fold in zest mixture.

5. 5.

   Divide dough between prepared pans, filling each about three-quarters full. Bake bread until tops are golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the centers comes out clean, 35–40 minutes.

6. 6.

   Let bread cool 10 minutes in pan, then carefully remove from pan and transfer to a wire rack.

7. 7.

   Bread can be made 5 days ahead. Tightly wrap and store at room temperature, or freeze up to 1 month.