Velvety Alabama Pecan Pound Bread Recipe: A Sweet Southern Treat

Warm, golden pecan pound bread with Alabama roots brings comfort straight to your kitchen table.

Southern baking traditions shine through every slice of this buttery delight.

Generations of home cooks have perfected this classic recipe passed down through cherished family cookbooks.

Pecans add a delightful crunch and nutty depth to the tender, moist bread.

The aroma of freshly baked bread will draw everyone to the kitchen with eager anticipation.

Each bite promises a rich, indulgent experience that captures the essence of Southern hospitality.

You’ll want to slice into this irresistible bread and savor every delectable moment.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 1 hour 10 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour 25 minutes

Calories: 508 kcal

Servings: 12

Sweet Alabama Pecan Pound Bread Ingredient List

• Butter: Creamy base that adds richness and helps create a tender crumb, select high-quality unsalted butter for best flavor.
• Granulated Sugar: Sweetens and provides structure, look for fine, pure cane sugar for smooth blending.
• Eggs: Bind ingredients and add moisture, choose fresh, room-temperature eggs for even mixing.
• Sour Cream: Adds tanginess and incredible softness, opt for full-fat version for maximum richness.
• Vanilla Extract: Enhances overall flavor depth, choose pure extract over artificial for authentic taste.
• Almond Extract: Optional flavor booster that brings subtle nutty complexity, use sparingly.

• All-Purpose Flour: Creates bread's fundamental structure, sift to remove lumps and ensure smooth texture.
• Baking Powder: Provides lift and lightness, check expiration date for maximum rising power.
• Salt: Balances sweetness and intensifies other flavors, use fine-grain table salt.

• Pecans: Adds delightful crunch and nutty richness, toast lightly before chopping for enhanced flavor.
• Powdered Sugar: Creates smooth, sweet glaze, sift to prevent lumps.
• Milk: Thins glaze to perfect drizzling consistency, whole milk recommended.

Tools to Bake the Perfect Pecan Pound Bread

• Mixing bowl: Large bowl for combining wet ingredients smoothly.
• Electric mixer: Essential for creaming butter and sugar to fluffy perfection.
• Whisk: Perfect for blending dry ingredients without lumps.
• Spatula: Great for gently folding pecans into the batter.
• Loaf pan (9×5-inch): Key for shaping and baking the bread.
• Measuring cups and spoons: Crucial for accurate ingredient quantities.
• Wire cooling rack: Helps bread cool evenly without getting soggy.
• Toothpick: Helps check bread doneness by testing center.
• Small bowl: Used for making optional glaze.

Make Sweet Alabama Pound Bread That’s Dense and Moist

• Fire Up the Oven

Crank the heat to 325F and prep your baking vessel by greasing it or lining with parchment paper.

• Whip Butter and Sugar

Grab a mixer and beat butter and sugar until they transform into a fluffy cloud of deliciousness.

• Incorporate Wet Ingredients

Drop in eggs one by one, blending smoothly. Stir in sour cream and vanilla for extra richness.

• Marry Dry and Wet Mixtures

Gently fold flour mixture into the creamy base, stirring just until everything comes together.

• Sprinkle Nutty Goodness

Tenderly mix in chopped pecans, distributing them evenly throughout the batter.

• Bake to Perfection

Pour batter into prepared pan and slide into the oven. Bake for roughly one hour, checking with a toothpick for doneness.

• Cool and Rest

Let the bread relax in the pan for ten minutes, then transfer to a cooling rack.

• Optional Glaze

Whisk powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla into a silky drizzle. Pour over cooled bread and scatter extra pecans on top for a gorgeous finish.

Flavor Tips for This Southern-Inspired Loaf

• Ensure butter and eggs are at room temperature for smoother, more evenly mixed batter.
• This bread freezes beautifully – wrap tightly in plastic wrap and store for up to 3 months, preserving its delicious flavor.
• Swap regular flour with a 1: 1 gluten-free baking blend to make this recipe celiac-friendly without compromising texture.
• Replace half the sugar with monk fruit sweetener or reduce sugar by 25% for a less sweet, more nutty profile that health-conscious bakers will love.
• Use coconut cream instead of sour cream and plant-based butter for a delightful vegan version that maintains the bread's rich, moist consistency.

Serve This Pecan Bread with Coffee or Ice Cream

• Pecan Paradise Platter: Slice the bread into thick, rustic pieces and arrange on a wooden board with a small dish of extra glaze for dipping.
• Southern Breakfast Bliss: Serve warm alongside creamy butter, scrambled eggs, and fresh fruit for a delightful morning meal that celebrates southern comfort.
• Dessert Elegance Upgrade: Transform the bread into an upscale dessert by topping each slice with a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream and a drizzle of caramel sauce.
• Coffee Companion Delight: Pair with a steaming mug of rich coffee or chai tea, creating a perfect afternoon treat that complements the bread's nutty, sweet flavors.

Store Sweet Pound Bread to Keep It Tender

• Store the bread in an airtight container at room temperature for 3-4 days, keeping its soft texture and delicious flavor intact. Wrap tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil to prevent moisture loss.
• Slice the bread before freezing, placing parchment paper between each slice. Wrap securely in freezer-safe plastic wrap and store in a sealed freezer bag for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight at room temperature for best results.
• If the bread seems slightly dry, warm individual slices in the microwave for 10-15 seconds or toast lightly. Brush with a hint of melted butter to restore moisture and enhance its rich flavor.
• Prepare the bread batter a day before baking and refrigerate overnight. This technique allows flavors to develop more deeply, creating an even more delectable pound bread experience. Let the batter sit at room temperature for 30 minutes before baking.

FAQs

• Is this bread suitable for breakfast?

Yes, Sweet Alabama Pecan Pound Bread is a delightful breakfast option. Its rich, buttery flavor and nutty pecan crunch make it perfect with morning coffee or tea.

• Can I use a different type of nut instead of pecans?

Absolutely! Walnuts or almonds work wonderfully as substitutes. They’ll provide a similar texture and nutty flavor to the bread.

• How do I know when the bread is perfectly baked?

Insert a toothpick into the center of the bread. If it comes out clean with no wet batter, your bread is done. The top should also be golden brown and slightly firm to the touch.

• What makes the bread so moist?

The combination of sour cream and butter creates an incredibly tender and moist texture. Sour cream adds richness and helps keep the bread soft and delicious.

Buttery Alabama Pecan Pound Bread Recipe

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4.5 from 29 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 25 minutes
• Yield: 13 1x

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Description

Delightful sweet Alabama pecan pound bread combines Southern charm with rich, buttery flavors. Homemade comfort awaits you in each moist, nutty slice that embodies classic Southern baking traditions.

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Ingredients

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• 2 cups (400 g) granulated sugar
• 1 cup (230 g / 8 oz) unsalted butter, softened
• 4 large eggs
• 1 cup (240 ml / 8 fl oz) sour cream
• 2 cups (250 g) all-purpose flour
• 1 cup (120 g) chopped pecans
• 1 tsp baking powder
• ¼ tsp salt
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 tsp almond extract (optional)
• 1 cup (120 g) powdered sugar
• 2 tbsps milk or cream
• ½ tsp vanilla extract
• Chopped pecans for garnish

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Instructions

1. Preparation: Preheat the oven to 325F (165C) and prepare a 9×5-inch loaf pan with butter, flour, or parchment paper to prevent sticking.
2. Creaming: Use an electric mixer to whip butter and sugar until light, fluffy, and significantly increased in volume, creating a smooth base for the bread.
3. Wet Ingredient Fusion: Gradually incorporate eggs one at a time, then blend in sour cream, vanilla extract, and almond extract until the mixture achieves a uniform consistency.
4. Dry Ingredient Integration: Sift together flour, baking powder, and salt, then gently fold into the wet mixture, stirring minimally to maintain the bread’s delicate texture and prevent toughness.
5. Pecan Incorporation and Baking: Fold chopped pecans into the batter, transfer to the prepared pan, and smooth the surface. Bake for 60-70 minutes, checking doneness with a toothpick that should come out clean when inserted into the center.
6. Cooling and Finishing: Rest the bread in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely. Optional: Create a silky glaze by whisking powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract, drizzling over the cooled bread and garnishing with additional chopped pecans.

Notes

• Prevent Overmixing: Stir dry ingredients into wet mixture minimally to maintain the bread’s tender, soft crumb and avoid developing tough gluten structures.
• Temperature Precision: Ensure butter and eggs are at room temperature for smoother blending and more consistent batter texture, promoting even baking.
• Nut Distribution Technique: Coat pecans lightly in flour before folding into batter to prevent them from sinking to the bottom during baking.
• Moisture Retention Hack: Check bread doneness with a toothpick test and avoid overbaking, which can result in a dry, crumbly texture; remove from oven when just set.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Southern American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 13
• Calories: 399
• Sugar: 31 g
• Sodium: 143 mg
• Fat: 22 g
• Saturated Fat: 13 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 47 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 5 g
• Cholesterol: 86 mg