Ingredients
For the Bread Batter:
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup light brown sugar, packed
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 3 large eggs, room temperature
- 1 cup vegetable oil
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 2 cups chopped pecans, divided
- 1/2 cup butter, melted
For the Sweet Pecan Topping:
- 1/2 cup butter, melted
- 1/2 cup light brown sugar
- 1 cup chopped pecans
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Instructions
Prepare the Pan
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C)
- Grease and flour a 9×13 inch baking pan
- Line with parchment paper for easy removal
Make the Batter
- In a large bowl, whisk together:
- Flour
- Both sugars
- Baking soda
- Salt
- Cinnamon
- Nutmeg
- In another bowl, combine:
- Eggs
- Vegetable oil
- Vanilla extract
- Buttermilk
- Melted butter
- Mix wet ingredients into dry ingredients until just combined
- Fold in 1 1/2 cups chopped pecans
Prepare the Topping
- Mix together:
- Melted butter
- Brown sugar
- Remaining pecans
- Cinnamon
- Salt
Assembly and Baking
- Pour batter into prepared pan
- Spread evenly
- Sprinkle pecan topping mixture over batter
- Bake for 45-50 minutes until toothpick comes out clean
Pro Tips
- Use room temperature ingredients
- Don’t overmix the batter
- Toast pecans before using for enhanced flavor
- Check bread at 40 minutes to prevent overbaking
- Cool in pan for 15 minutes before removing
Storage Instructions
- Keep at room temperature up to 4 days
- Refrigerate for up to a week
- Can be frozen for up to 3 months
- Wrap well in plastic wrap and foil for freezing
Serving Suggestions
- Serve warm or at room temperature
- Perfect with coffee or tea
- Add a dollop of whipped cream
- Drizzle with honey
- Pair with vanilla ice cream
Variations
- Add dried cranberries or raisins
- Include diced apples
- Use maple syrup in topping
- Add bourbon to the batter
- Include chocolate chips
This Sweet Alabama Pecan Bread combines the rich, buttery flavor of pecans with warm spices and a sweet, crunchy topping. It’s perfect for breakfast, brunch, or dessert, and makes a wonderful gift during the holiday season. The key to its success lies in using quality pecans and not overbaking to maintain the bread’s moisture.
The recipe yields a tender, moist bread with a delightful contrast between the soft interior and the crispy, sweet pecan topping. It’s a true taste of Southern hospitality that’s sure to become a family favorite.
Remember that the quality of your pecans will greatly impact the final result, so use fresh, high-quality nuts for the best flavor. You can test the freshness of pecans by checking that they’re not rancid – they should smell sweet and nutty, not bitter or off.