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.
Ingredients
Scale
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
Instructions
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Delicately fold chopped pecans throughout the batter, distributing them gently to prevent overmixing and preserve the bread’s delicate structure.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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