Sweet Alabama Pecan Bread
Sweet Alabama Pecan Bread is a moist and tender Southern classic that combines toasted pecans with a sweet, buttery crumb. Perfect for breakfast, dessert, or a comforting snack, this bread offers a rich, nutty flavor and simple ingredients, making it easy to prepare and enjoy any time.
- Author: Barbara
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 50-60 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 10-15 minutes
- Yield: 1 standard loaf (about 10-12 slices) 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Southern
- Diet: Can be gluten-free with substitution
Dry Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
Wet Ingredients
- 2 large eggs
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted
- 3/4 cup buttermilk
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Additional Ingredients
- Prepare Your Pan and Ingredients: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a standard loaf pan with butter or line it with parchment paper. Measure out all your ingredients to keep the process smooth.
- Toast the Pecans: Place chopped pecans in a dry skillet over medium heat. Toast them, stirring frequently, until fragrant and lightly browned, about 3-5 minutes. This step unlocks their full flavor.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, salt, granulated sugar, and brown sugar to ensure even distribution throughout the bread.
- Combine Wet Ingredients: In another bowl, beat the eggs lightly. Stir in melted butter, buttermilk, and vanilla extract until fully integrated.
- Blend Wet and Dry Mixtures: Make a well in the dry ingredients and pour in the wet mixture. Stir gently with a spatula until just combined, avoiding over-mixing to keep the bread tender.
- Fold in Pecans: Carefully fold the toasted pecans into the batter, distributing them evenly without deflating the mixture.
- Bake the Bread: Pour the batter into your prepared pan and bake for 50 to 60 minutes. Check doneness by inserting a toothpick in the center; it should come out clean or with a few moist crumbs.
- Cool and Serve: Allow the bread to cool in the pan for about 15 minutes before transferring it to a wire rack. This helps maintain moisture and prevents sogginess on the bottom.
Notes
- Toast Pecans Properly: Never skip toasting as it intensifies the nutty flavor and adds crunch.
- Avoid Overmixing: Stir until ingredients are just combined to keep the crumb light and tender.
- Use Fresh Ingredients: Fresh buttermilk and quality butter elevate the flavor remarkably.
- Room Temperature Ingredients: Allow eggs and butter to come to room temperature for better mixing.
- Check Early for Doneness: Start testing your bread 10 minutes before the minimum baking time to avoid overbaking.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (approximate)
- Calories: 220
- Sugar: 15g
- Sodium: 150mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 25g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 55mg
Keywords: Sweet Alabama Pecan Bread, pecan bread, southern bread, nutty bread, pecan loaf, moist bread, dessert bread