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Sweet Alabama Pecan Bread

Sweet Alabama pecan bread is a tender Southern loaf baked until golden with a crackly brown sugar-pecan topping. The buttery crumb stays moist thanks to buttermilk and toasted pecans throughout.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 15 minutes
Servings: 10 servings
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: Southern American
Calories: 430
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Dry ingredients
  • 2 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • 0.5 tsp baking soda
  • 0.5 tsp salt
  • 0.5 tsp ground cinnamon
Wet ingredients and flavor
  • 0.5 cup butter, softened
  • 1 cup brown sugar, packed
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 cup buttermilk
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
Pecan topping
  • 1.25 cups pecans, toasted and chopped, divided
  • 2 tbsp brown sugar for topping

Equipment

  • 1 sheet pan
  • 1 loaf pan

Method
 

Preheat and prepare the pan
  1. Preheat the oven to 350F, then grease and line a 9x5-inch loaf pan.
Mix the dry ingredients
  1. Whisk together all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and ground cinnamon in a bowl.
Cream the butter and sugar
  1. Beat the softened butter and packed brown sugar until fluffy, then beat in the eggs one at a time and the vanilla extract.
Combine wet and dry
  1. Add the dry ingredients alternately with the buttermilk and mix just until combined.
Add pecans and shape
  1. Fold in 1 cup of the pecans, then pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan.
Top and bake
  1. Top with the remaining pecans and 2 tablespoons brown sugar for topping.
Bake until set
  1. Bake for 55-60 minutes at 350F, until a toothpick comes out clean.
Cool before slicing
  1. Cool in the pan for 15 minutes, then slice.

Notes

Pro tip: toast and chop the pecans for deeper flavor and better texture, and mix the batter just until combined to keep the crumb tender. Store the loaf in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerate up to 5 days. Freeze slices in a freezer bag for up to 2 months. For a lighter option, use reduced-fat butter (texture remains best when you don’t overmix).