Sweet Alabama pecan bread isn’t bread. Let’s get that out of the way. It’s dessert. It’s closer to cake than anything you’d slice for a sandwich. It’s sweet, nutty, ridiculously moist, and exactly what you want cooling on your counter when the holidays roll around—or when you just want to feel a little Southern comfort without pulling out the cast iron.
This recipe is old-school. It comes from church cookbooks, passed down in spiral-bound collections with faded covers and splatters of vanilla extract. It’s the kind of dessert that shows up at every potluck and disappears before the banana pudding gets a second look. And the best part? It takes almost no effort.
You don’t need a mixer. You don’t need three kinds of flour or some hard-to-pronounce spice. You need eggs, sugar, butter, pecans, and about 45 minutes. What comes out of the oven is a golden, dense, sweet loaf that’s good warm, better cooled, and absolutely dangerous when slathered with a little extra butter.
If you’ve never had it, think of it like a blondie bar and banana bread had a baby—but with no banana and a hell of a lot of pecans.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Deep Southern flavor in every bite
- Loaded with toasted pecans for maximum crunch
- Super moist and stays fresh for days
- No mixer, no fuss—just stir, pour, and bake
- Perfect for holidays, gifts, or afternoon coffee breaks
Ingredients
- 1 cup packed brown sugar
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 4 large eggs
- 1 cup vegetable oil (or melted butter for richer flavor)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 1/2 cups chopped pecans, toasted
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 325°F (163°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish or two 9×5 loaf pans.
- In a large bowl, whisk together brown sugar, granulated sugar, eggs, oil, and vanilla until smooth.
- In another bowl, mix flour, baking powder, and salt.
- Add dry ingredients to wet and stir until just combined.
- Fold in chopped, toasted pecans.
- Pour batter into prepared pan(s) and smooth the top.
- Bake for 40–45 minutes (9×13 pan) or 50–55 minutes (loaf pans), or until golden and a toothpick comes out clean.
- Cool slightly before slicing. Serve warm, room temp, or cold—it’s good any way you cut it.
Tips & Variations
- Toast your pecans—this is non-negotiable for full flavor
- Swap oil for melted butter if you want a richer, more cake-like loaf
- Add a splash of bourbon for depth
- Top with a brown sugar glaze or drizzle of maple syrup
- Fold in white chocolate chips for a modern twist
SEE TOO NEXT PAGE….
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