Sweet Alabama Pecan Bread Recipe

Name: Sweet Alabama Pecan Bread Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 40 min
Cuisine: Southern
Ingredients: 2 cups chopped pecans, toasted; 1 ½ cups self-rising flour; 1 cup brown sugar, packed; 1 cup white granulated sugar; 1 cup vegetable oil; 4 large eggs; 1 tsp vanilla extract; ¼ tsp salt

November 2, 2024September 28, 2024 by Hannah

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This Sweet Alabama Pecan Bread is a Southern favorite that’s perfect for any occasion. It’s sweet, nutty, and has the most amazing texture—soft on the inside with a slightly crisp top. I made this for a potluck once, and people were coming back for seconds (and thirds)! Plus, it’s super easy to whip up, so it’s great for when you want something impressive but don’t have a ton of time.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Nutty & Sweet: The combination of pecans and the perfect amount of sugar makes every bite a treat.
Quick & Easy: Simple ingredients and minimal effort, but the results are always impressive.
Crowd Pleaser: This bread is perfect for gatherings, potlucks, or just as a sweet treat at home.

Ingredients

Chopped Pecans: 2 cups, toasted for extra crunch and flavor.
Self-Rising Flour: 1 ½ cups for easy rising without extra baking powder.
Brown Sugar: 1 cup, packed, for rich sweetness.
White Granulated Sugar: 1 cup to balance the flavor.
Vegetable Oil: 1 cup to keep the bread moist.
Eggs: 4 large to bind everything together.
Vanilla Extract: 1 teaspoon for that classic sweet aroma.
Salt: ¼ teaspoon to enhance the flavors.

Variations

Add Chocolate Chips: Mix in a cup of chocolate chips for an even sweeter twist.
Spice It Up: Add a teaspoon of cinnamon or nutmeg to give it a warm, spiced flavor.
Go Nut Crazy: Swap out half of the pecans for walnuts or almonds for more variety.

How to Make the Recipe

1. Preheat the Oven

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish. This ensures your pecan bread doesn’t stick and slides out perfectly after baking.

2. Mix the Wet Ingredients

In a large bowl, combine the brown sugar, white sugar, vegetable oil, and eggs. Mix until the mixture is smooth and creamy. This step gives you that perfect base for a moist and sweet bread.

3. Add the Vanilla

Stir in the vanilla extract for that extra boost of flavor. Vanilla just makes everything taste better, don’t you think?

4. Combine the Dry Ingredients

Now, add the self-rising flour and salt to the wet mixture. Stir until everything is well combined, but don’t overmix—you want to keep that batter nice and light.

5. Fold in the Pecans

Gently fold in the toasted pecans by hand. Make sure they’re evenly spread throughout the batter so every bite has that amazing nutty crunch.

6. Pour and Bake

Pour the batter into your prepared baking dish, spreading it out evenly. Pop it in the oven and bake for 30-35 minutes. You’ll know it’s ready when the top is golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

7. Cool and Serve

Let the pecan bread cool for about 10 minutes in the pan before slicing into squares. It’s delicious served warm, especially with a scoop of vanilla ice cream on top!

How to Serve

With Ice Cream: A warm square of pecan bread with a scoop of vanilla ice cream is a match made in heaven.
For Breakfast: Serve it as a sweet breakfast treat with your morning coffee.
Potluck Star: This bread is perfect for potlucks or gatherings—trust me, it’ll disappear fast!

Make Ahead

Fridge: You can make the batter ahead of time and keep it in the fridge for up to a day before baking.
Freezer: Baked pecan bread freezes well for up to 3 months. Just reheat it in the oven before serving!

FAQs

Can I use all-purpose flour instead of self-rising flour?
Yes, but you’ll need to add 1 ½ teaspoons of baking powder and ½ teaspoon of salt to make up for it.

Do I need to toast the pecans?
Toasting the pecans brings out their flavor, but it’s not mandatory. If you’re in a rush, you can skip this step, but it’s worth the extra few minutes.

How long does this pecan bread last?
Stored in an airtight container, it’ll stay fresh for up to 5 days. But let’s be real, it probably won’t last that long!

Enjoy this Sweet Alabama Pecan Bread with family and friends, or just treat yourself! It’s the perfect sweet snack that’s crunchy, soft, and oh-so-good.