🍯🌰 Sweet Alabama Pecan Bread
Sweet Alabama Pecan Bread is a rich, moist Southern-style dessert bread packed with buttery pecans and a sweet caramel-like flavor. Despite its name, it’s more like a soft pecan cake or blondie than traditional yeast bread—perfect with coffee, tea, or as an easy holiday dessert.
5
Prep Time
- Prep: 15 minutes
- Bake: 35–45 minutes
- Total: About 1 hour
Servings
12 slices
Ingredients
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup brown sugar, packed
- 1 cup vegetable oil (or melted butter)
- 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 sweetened shredded coconut (optional)
Instructions
1. Prepare the Batter
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Beat sugars, oil, eggs, and vanilla until smooth.
- Add flour, baking powder, and salt. Mix until just combined.
- Fold in chopped pecans (and coconut if using).
2. Bake
- Spread batter evenly into the prepared pan.
- Bake for 35–45 minutes until golden and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Cool before slicing.
Optional Glaze
Brown Sugar Pecan Glaze
- ½ cup brown sugar
- ¼ cup butter
- ¼ cup heavy cream
- ½ cup chopped pecans
- Heat butter, brown sugar, and cream until smooth.
- Stir in pecans.
- Pour over warm bread.
Serving Suggestions
- ☕ Coffee or tea
- 🍦 Vanilla ice cream
- 🍯 Caramel drizzle
- 🥛 Cold milk
Variations
🍫 Chocolate Pecan Bread
Add:
- 1 cup chocolate chips
🍌 Banana Pecan Bread
Add:
- 2 mashed ripe bananas
- Reduce oil slightly
🥥 Coconut Pecan Version
Add:
- Extra coconut flakes
- Coconut extract
Storage
- Room Temperature: Covered for up to 3 days.
- Refrigerator: Up to 1 week.
- Freezer: Freeze slices for up to 3 months.
Tips for the Best Pecan Bread
- Toast pecans before adding for deeper nutty flavor.
- Don’t overmix the batter to keep the texture tender.
- Let it cool fully before slicing for cleaner pieces.
- A pinch of cinnamon adds a warm Southern bakery flavor.