Sweet Alabama Pecan Bread

Sweet Alabama Pecan Bread is a rich, moist, and buttery dessert bread loaded with crunchy pecans. It has a soft, almost cake-like texture and a delicious caramelized sweetness that makes it perfect with coffee or tea.

🍞 Ingredients

• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 cup light brown sugar, packed
• 1 cup vegetable oil
• 4 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1½ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 2 cups chopped pecans
• 1 cup finely chopped apples, optional
• ½ cup shredded coconut, optional

👩‍🍳 Instructions

1. Prepare the Oven

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).

Grease and lightly flour a 9×13-inch baking dish or line it with parchment paper.

2. Mix the Wet Ingredients

In a large bowl, whisk together the granulated sugar, brown sugar, and vegetable oil.

Add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition.

Stir in the vanilla extract.

3. Add the Dry Ingredients

In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.

Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture.

Stir just until combined. Avoid overmixing.

4. Add the Pecans

Fold in the chopped pecans.

If using apples or coconut, gently fold them in as well.

The batter will be thick.

5. Bake

Pour the batter into the prepared baking dish and spread it evenly.

Bake for approximately 35–45 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with a few moist crumbs.

Don’t overbake—the bread should remain soft and moist in the center.

6. Cool

Remove from the oven and allow the pecan bread to cool in the pan for at least 20–30 minutes.

Slice into squares or bars and serve warm or at room temperature.

⭐ Tips for the Best Pecan Bread

• Toast the pecans for 5–7 minutes at 350°F before adding them for an even deeper nutty flavor.
• Use lightly packed brown sugar for the best balance of sweetness.
• Don’t overmix the batter after adding the flour.
• Let the bread cool before cutting for cleaner slices.
• For extra richness, serve warm with a small pat of butter or a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

🍯 Optional Glaze

For an extra sweet finish, combine:

• ½ cup powdered sugar
• 1–2 tablespoons milk
• ½ teaspoon vanilla extract

Whisk until smooth and drizzle over the cooled pecan bread.

⏱️ Recipe Details

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Bake Time: 35–45 minutes
Cooling Time: 20–30 minutes
Total Time: About 1 hour 15 minutes
Servings: 12–16 squares
Method: Oven-baked