1️⃣ Prep the Pans & Pecans
Preheat your oven to 325°F (163°C). Grease and flour two 9×5-inch loaf pans or one bundt pan.
Toast your chopped pecans in a dry skillet for 3–5 minutes until fragrant. This step is key—it unlocks that nutty aroma and deepens their flavor. Set aside to cool.
Pro tip: Watch them closely! Pecans go from toasty to burnt in seconds.
2️⃣ Cream the Batter
In a large mixing bowl, cream together butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy—about 4 to 5 minutes. This step introduces air into the batter, giving the bread its delicate crumb.
Next, add eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Stir in vanilla extract.
Already, the mixture should look silky and smell incredible—like cookie dough meets autumn spice heaven.
3️⃣ Combine the Dry Ingredients
In another bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon.
Gradually add this dry mixture to the wet ingredients, alternating with the milk. Begin and end with flour.
Mix on low speed until just combined—overmixing can make the bread dense.
Fold in those beautifully toasted pecans. The batter will be thick, rich, and speckled with tiny golden flecks of cinnamon and nuts.
4️⃣ Add the Optional Sweet Topping (if desired)
If you want extra crunch and caramel flavor (and who wouldn’t?), mix brown sugar, cinnamon, and pecans together. Sprinkle over the top of your batter before baking.
This creates a crisp, sweet crust that makes every slice even more heavenly.
5️⃣ Bake to Perfection
Pour the batter into your prepared pans. Bake for 60–70 minutes for loaves or 70–80 minutes for a bundt cake.
Your kitchen will fill with that unbeatable smell—like cinnamon rolls, pecan pie, and buttered toast all rolled into one.
Check for doneness by inserting a toothpick into the center. When it comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs, you’re golden.
6️⃣ Cool & Serve
Let the bread rest in the pan for 10–15 minutes before turning it out onto a wire rack. Allow it to cool completely… if you can wait that long!
It’s almost impossible to resist cutting a warm slice—soft, fragrant, buttery, with that light crunch of cinnamon sugar on top.
☕ How to Serve This Southern Classic
This bread is so versatile it practically invites creativity. Here are some of the best ways to enjoy it:
- Warm with Butter: The butter melts into the crumb, making it extra indulgent.
- Drizzled with Honey or Maple Syrup: Adds a beautiful sheen and extra sweetness.
- Toasted with Cream Cheese: A breakfast favorite that feels fancy but takes seconds.
- A La Mode: Add a scoop of vanilla or butter pecan ice cream for dessert.
- Holiday Twist: Serve it with caramel sauce or bourbon glaze at Thanksgiving.
And if you’re gifting a loaf? Wrap it in parchment and twine—it’s homemade charm in edible form.
💚 Healthy Notes: A Balanced Indulgence
Let’s be honest—this isn’t a “diet” recipe. But it is full of ingredients that, when enjoyed in moderation, offer comfort and even a few nutritional perks.
🌰 Pecans: The Southern Supernut
Pecans are rich in healthy fats, antioxidants, and vitamin E. They can help support heart health and provide a satisfying crunch that keeps you from overeating sugary snacks.
🌾 Cinnamon: More Than Just Flavor
Cinnamon helps regulate blood sugar levels and is naturally anti-inflammatory. It’s warmth and aroma are known to reduce stress and boost mood—baking therapy is real!
🧈 Butter and Eggs: Wholesome Classics
They provide protein, fat-soluble vitamins, and that unmistakable homemade texture that only real ingredients can deliver.
So yes—it’s indulgent, but it’s made from real food, real flavors, and a whole lot of love.
Cinnamon Sweet Alabama Pecan Bread
Equipment
- Loaf Pan
- Mixing Bowls
- Electric Mixer
- Wire Rack
Ingredients
For the Bread
- 1 cup unsalted butter softened
- 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
- 1 cup light brown sugar packed
- 4 large eggs
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 tbsp ground cinnamon
- 1 cup whole milk or buttermilk for extra richness
- 1 1/2 cups chopped pecans toasted
Optional Sweet Topping
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 1/2 cup chopped pecans
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 325°F (163°C). Grease and flour two 9×5-inch loaf pans or one bundt pan. Toast chopped pecans in a skillet over medium heat for 3–5 minutes until fragrant. Set aside to cool.
- In a mixing bowl, cream butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy, about 4–5 minutes. Add eggs one at a time, mixing well after each, then stir in vanilla extract.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon. Gradually add the dry mixture to the wet ingredients, alternating with milk. Begin and end with flour mixture. Fold in toasted pecans.
- If using, mix brown sugar, cinnamon, and chopped pecans for the topping. Sprinkle over the top of the batter for added crunch and sweetness.
- Pour batter evenly into prepared pan(s). Bake for 60–70 minutes for loaves, or 70–80 minutes for a bundt, until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Let the bread rest in the pan for 10–15 minutes, then turn out onto a wire rack to cool completely. Enjoy warm or at room temperature.
Notes
Storage & Freezing Tips
This bread stores beautifully, making it great for meal prep or gifting.
- Room Temperature: Keeps fresh for 3 days wrapped tightly in plastic wrap or foil.
- Refrigerator: Lasts up to 7 days; just bring to room temp before serving.
- Freezer: Wrap slices individually and freeze for up to 3 months. To serve, thaw overnight or reheat gently in the microwave.
It’s just as good (if not better) the next day, when the flavors deepen and the crumb becomes even more tender.
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Fun Variations to Try
🎃 Cinnamon Pecan Pumpkin Bread: Add ½ cup pumpkin purée and a dash of nutmeg for a fall twist.
🍎 Apple Cinnamon Pecan Bread: Fold in 1 cup finely chopped apples for extra moisture and sweetness.
🥥 Coconut Pecan Bread: Mix shredded coconut into the batter for a tropical note.
🍫 Chocolate Swirl Version: Swirl melted chocolate or Nutella through the batter before baking.
Each variation keeps that comforting cinnamon-pecan heart while giving your bread a new personality.
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The Heart of Southern Baking
What makes Southern baking so special isn’t just the recipes—it’s the stories.
It’s the grandmother who wrote this recipe on a yellowed index card decades ago. The daughter who baked it for her neighbors one Christmas. The child who licked the spoon, wide-eyed with delight.
That’s what Cinnamon Sweet Alabama Pecan Bread captures—a sense of togetherness, of slowing down, of savoring life’s small joys.
Every bite tells a story of warmth, love, and home.
Final Thoughts: Bake, Share, and Savor
This isn’t just bread—it’s a celebration of cozy mornings, family gatherings, and Southern charm.
The Cinnamon Sweet Alabama Pecan Bread invites you to slow down, breathe in the aroma, and savor the sweetness of the moment. Whether you bake it for yourself or share it with someone you love, it’s guaranteed to bring smiles (and maybe a little nostalgia).
So go ahead—preheat that oven, toast those pecans, and make your kitchen smell like pure happiness. 💛
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