Description
Sweet Alabama Pecan Bread brings Southern comfort straight to your kitchen table. Packed with rich pecans and a tender crumb, this simple quick bread delivers warm, nutty flavors that remind me of lazy weekend mornings at my grandmother’s house.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 4 large eggs
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup vegetable oil or melted butter
- 1 ½ cups self-rising flour
Supporting Ingredients:
- 1 cup chopped pecans
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Optional Ingredients:
- 4 ounces (113 grams) softened cream cheese
- 1 lemon zest or 1 tablespoon lemon cream cheese
Instructions
- Heat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Thoroughly coat a 9×13-inch baking dish or two standard loaf pans with butter or cooking spray.
- Whisk 4 large eggs, 1 cup brown sugar, 1 cup granulated sugar, and 1 cup vegetable oil in a large bowl until the mixture becomes smooth and pale.
- If using cream cheese, incorporate 4 oz softened cream cheese into the egg mixture until completely blended.
- Gently fold 1½ cups self-rising flour and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract into the wet ingredients. Mix until just combined, avoiding overmixing.
- Add 1 cup chopped pecans and optional lemon zest to the batter. Stir until ingredients are evenly distributed.
- Transfer the batter to the prepared pan, using a spatula to spread it into an even layer.
- Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for 30-35 minutes. Check doneness by inserting a toothpick into the center – it should come out clean.
- Remove the bread from the oven when the edges turn golden brown and slightly crisp. Allow the bread to cool completely before slicing.
Notes
- Always toast pecans before adding them to the batter to enhance their rich, nutty flavor and prevent them from sinking during baking.
- Use room temperature eggs and cream cheese for smoother mixing and better incorporation into the batter.
- Check the bread’s doneness early and frequently, as ovens can vary; start testing at 25 minutes to avoid dry edges.
- For a gluten-free version, swap wheat flour with a 1:1 gluten-free baking blend, which maintains the bread’s tender texture.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30-35 minutes
- Category: Breads
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Southern American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
- Calories: 496 kcal
- Sugar: 34 g
- Sodium: 220 mg
- Fat: 26 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 20 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 58 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 6 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg