Pecan Bread Recipe: Tips for Making Pecan Bread
Written by MasterClass
Last updated: Apr 12, 2024 • 2 min read
For a last-minute potluck or bake sale addition, try this simple, satisfying pecan bread. Learn how to make the sweet bread at home.
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What Is Pecan Bread?
Pecan bread is a baked sweet bread consisting of brown sugar, flour, butter, vanilla extract, cinnamon, chopped pecans, and other pantry staples. Home cooks can have this sweet, buttery quick bread ready in just 40 minutes, making it an excellent last-minute addition to any breakfast, brunch, or dessert spread.
3 Tips for Making Pecan Bread
Follow these tips to craft a pan of pecan bread:
- 1. Experiment with additions. Incorporate your favorite fillings and toppings into any simple pecan bread recipe. Add additional warm spices and extracts like nutmeg, pumpkin pie spice, and almond extract to the batter. Fold in dark chocolate chips or dried fruits (like raisins and dried cranberries) for flavor and textural variation. Top your pecan bread with a simple sugary glaze or cream cheese frosting to make it more dessert-friendly.
- 2. Use an alternative flour. Swap the flour and baking powder for self-rising flour in this recipe, or sub in whole-wheat flour for a more nutritious dish. To make gluten-free pecan bread, swap wheat flour for an all-purpose gluten-free flour blend.
- 3. Store properly. Leftover pecan bread will keep well in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. For long-term storage, wrap the bread in plastic wrap and store it in an airtight bag in the freezer. Let the bread cool fully before storing it.
Homemade Pecan Bread Recipe
makes
1 9x13-inch loafprep time
10 mintotal time
40 mincook time
30 minIngredients
Note: The total time does not include 15 minutes of inactive time.
- 1
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and line a 9x13-inch loaf pan with parchment paper. Grease the pan and parchment paper with nonstick spray.
- 2
In a large bowl, stir together the brown sugar, granulated sugar, melted butter, vegetable oil, eggs, and vanilla extract.
- 3
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt.
- 4
Sift the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients and stir well until a smooth batter forms.
- 5
Fold the chopped pecans into the batter. Pour the batter into the prepared pan.
- 6
Transfer the baking dish with the pecan bread to the oven. Bake until the loaf is golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, about 30–35 minutes.
- 7
Let the bread cool at room temperature for 15 minutes before slicing and serving.
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