Sweet Alabama Pecan Pound Bread Recipe: A Southern Delight

Swirling aromas of buttery sweet alabama pecan pound bread drift through kitchens like whispered promises of comfort.

Nutty pecans dance among soft, golden crumbs waiting to delight your senses.

Southern baking traditions shine brightly in this delectable creation.

Rich layers promise indulgence with every delicate slice.

Warm memories emerge from classic ingredients blended with care and precision.

Bakers of all skill levels can craft this delightful treat effortlessly.

You’ll fall in love with how simple yet spectacular this bread becomes.

Let’s embark on a delicious journey that celebrates southern sweetness and culinary magic.

Sweet Alabama Pound Bread That Feels Homemade

• A Delightful Pecan Pound Bread Adventure
• Whip up this delectable bread in under 15 minutes with basic pantry ingredients, making it perfect for spontaneous baking moments.
• Ideal for breakfast, afternoon tea, potlucks, or family gatherings, this Southern-style bread delivers rich, nutty flavors that everyone will adore.
• Beginner-friendly recipe with simple steps, requiring only basic mixing techniques and standard kitchen tools- no fancy equipment needed.
• Stays moist for several days when stored properly, allowing you to bake ahead and enjoy convenient, delicious slices throughout the week.

What to Grab for Alabama Pecan Pound Bread

Main Ingredients:

• Butter: Rich foundation that creates tender, moist texture with deep flavor complexity.
• Granulated Sugar: Sweetens and helps create golden brown crust with soft crumb.
• Eggs: Provide structure, moisture, and binding for the pound bread.
• Sour Cream: Adds tangy moisture and helps create incredibly soft crumb.

• All-Purpose Flour: Primary structural ingredient for smooth, consistent bread texture.
• Baking Powder: Provides essential rising and lightness to the dense pound cake.
• Salt: Enhances overall flavor and balances sweetness.

• Pecans: Adds nutty crunch and signature Alabama-style richness.
• Vanilla Extract: Provides warm, classic background flavor.
• Almond Extract: Optional ingredient for deeper aromatic complexity.

• Powdered Sugar: Creates smooth, sweet drizzle topping.
• Milk: Thins and helps blend glaze ingredients.

How to Bake Sweet Alabama Pound Bread

Step 1: Prepare Baking Station

Grab your loaf pan and coat it thoroughly with butter or cooking spray. Dust with flour or line with parchment paper. Set your oven to 325F (165C) and let it warm up.

Step 2: Whip Butter and Sugar

In a spacious mixing bowl, combine softened butter and sugar. Use an electric mixer to blend until the mixture becomes airy and pale, continuing for about 3-4 minutes.

Step 3: Introduce Wet Ingredients

• Sour cream
• Vanilla extract
• Almond extract

Blend until everything looks smooth and integrated.

Step 4: Mix Dry Components

• All-purpose flour
• Baking powder
• Salt

Gently fold dry ingredients into wet mixture, stirring until just combined. Avoid overmixing.

Step 5: Add Nutty Goodness

Sprinkle chopped pecans into the batter. Use a spatula to distribute evenly throughout.

Step 6: Bake to Perfection

Transfer batter into prepared pan. Spread evenly and slide into preheated oven. Bake for 60-70 minutes until a toothpick comes out clean when inserted.

Step 7: Cool and Release

Let bread rest in pan for 10 minutes. Carefully transfer to wire rack and allow complete cooling.

Step 8: Drizzle Glaze

• Powdered sugar
• Milk
• Vanilla extract

Pour glaze over cooled bread. Sprinkle additional chopped pecans on top for extra crunch.

Tips That Make This Bread Rich and Buttery

• Soften Butter Perfectly: Let butter sit at room temperature for 30-45 minutes before creaming to achieve a light, airy texture that ensures smooth mixing.
• Prevent Pecan Sinking: Lightly coat chopped pecans in a tablespoon of flour before folding into batter to prevent them from dropping to the bottom during baking.
• Check Doneness Accurately: Use a clean toothpick or cake tester inserted near the center; if it comes out with just a few moist crumbs, the bread is perfectly baked.
• Customize Glaze Consistency: Adjust milk quantity to create a thicker or thinner glaze, depending on your preference for coverage and drizzling style.
• Store for Maximum Freshness: Wrap the cooled bread tightly in plastic wrap or store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days to maintain its moisture and flavor.

Best Storage Tips for Pound Bread Freshness

• Store the Sweet Alabama Pecan Pound Bread in an airtight container or wrapped tightly in plastic wrap for up to 5 days in the refrigerator. Keep the bread away from strong-smelling foods to prevent flavor absorption.
• Wrap the bread completely in plastic wrap, then place it in a freezer-safe bag. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before serving.
• Warm individual slices in the microwave for 10-15 seconds or in a preheated oven at 300F (150C) for 5-7 minutes. Add a small pat of butter for extra moisture and flavor when reheating.
• Let the bread sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes before serving to enhance its texture and bring out the full flavor of the pecans.

What Pairs Nicely with Pecan Pound Bread

• Pecan Pound Bread Pairings
• Dark roast or French press coffee cuts through the bread's richness, creating a perfect morning flavor balance with nutty undertones.
• Moscato or late-harvest Riesling complements the dessert's sweetness, highlighting the pecan's warm, caramelized notes without overwhelming the delicate pound cake texture.
• Vanilla bean ice cream or whipped mascarpone provides a cool, silky contrast to the warm, dense bread, elevating each bite with luxurious smoothness.
• Sharp aged cheddar or mild gouda offers a savory counterpoint, transforming the sweet bread into an elegant afternoon snack experience.

Additions to Sweet Alabama Pound Bread

Gluten-Free Pecan Bread: Replace all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend, ensuring equal measurements and adding xanthan gum for better texture.

Vegan Nutty Loaf: Substitute butter with coconut oil, eggs with mashed banana or flax eggs, and sour cream with dairy-free yogurt to create a plant-based version.

Low-Sugar Pecan Bread: Use monk fruit sweetener or stevia instead of granulated sugar, reducing overall sugar content while maintaining sweetness and moistness.

Nut-Alternative Bread: Swap pecans with sunflower seeds or pumpkin seeds for those with nut allergies, maintaining the same crunchy texture and complementary flavor profile.

Sweet Alabama Pecan Pound Bread Recipe

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4.8 from 38 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 25 minutes
• Yield: 12 1x

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Description

Classic Southern sweet alabama pecan pound bread blends rich buttery flavors with crunchy pecans, creating a comforting dessert that whispers stories of homestyle baking. Generous slices promise pure indulgence, inviting you to savor each delectable morsel of this nostalgic Southern treat.

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Ingredients

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Primary Ingredients:

• 2 cups (400 g) granulated sugar
• 1 cup (230 g / 8 ounces) unsalted butter, softened
• 4 large eggs
• 1 cup (240 milliliters / 8 fluid ounces) sour cream
• 1 cup (120 g) chopped pecans

Dry Ingredients:

• 2 cups (250 g) all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• ¼ teaspoon salt

Flavoring Ingredients:

• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon almond extract (optional)

Glaze Ingredients (optional):

• 1 cup (120 g) powdered sugar
• 2 tablespoons milk or cream
• ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
• Chopped pecans for garnish

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Instructions

1. Prepare the baking environment by warming the oven to 325F (165C). Create a non-stick surface in a 9×5-inch loaf pan using butter, flour, or parchment paper.
2. Utilize an electric mixer to transform butter and sugar into a creamy, airy mixture by whipping them together for approximately 3-4 minutes until the texture becomes light and voluminous.
3. Introduce eggs individually into the butter mixture, ensuring complete integration after each addition. Incorporate sour cream, vanilla extract, and optional almond extract, blending until harmonious.
4. Combine flour, baking powder, and salt in a separate container, whisking thoroughly to distribute ingredients evenly. Gradually introduce dry ingredients into the wet mixture, stirring minimally to maintain a tender texture.
5. Delicately fold chopped pecans throughout the batter, distributing them gently to prevent overmixing and preserve the bread’s delicate structure.
6. Transfer the batter into the prepared loaf pan, smoothing the surface to create an even layer. Place in the preheated oven and bake for 60-70 minutes, monitoring until a toothpick emerges clean when inserted into the center.
7. Allow the bread to rest inside the pan for 10 minutes, enabling initial cooling and preventing potential structural collapse. Carefully transfer to a wire rack to complete the cooling process.
8. For an optional luxurious finish, craft a glaze by whisking powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract until silky smooth. Drizzle elegantly over the cooled bread and sprinkle additional chopped pecans for visual and textural appeal.

Notes

• Toast pecans beforehand to enhance their nutty flavor and provide a deeper, more complex taste profile to the bread.
• Substitute sour cream with Greek yogurt for a lighter, tangier version that maintains moisture and reduces overall fat content.
• Adjust baking time if using different pan sizes, checking doneness with a toothpick to prevent overbaking and ensure a moist texture.
• Create a gluten-free version by replacing all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free baking blend, maintaining the same measurements and mixing technique.

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

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 12
• Calories: 508
• Sugar: 34 g
• Sodium: 139 mg
• Fat: 27 g
• Saturated Fat: 17 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 60 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 6 g
• Cholesterol: 92 mg