Serve sweet pecan bread with a cup of coffee, as a delightful dessert, or even as a sweet side dish for BBQ.

Southern Pecan Bread is a nutty, comforting quick bread that brings a taste of Alabama to any table.

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Sweet Alabama pecan bread has a long tradition in Southern kitchens. Passed down through generations, this simple quick bread highlights the rich, buttery flavor of pecans, which are plentiful in the region.

What makes southern pecan bread so special is its straightforward preparation and the warm, nutty crunch pecans add to every bite. It’s an easy recipe that yields a tender, slightly sweet bread perfect for many occasions.

I like to serve this bread warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for dessert. The contrast of warm bread and cold ice cream is irresistible—add a drizzle of caramel and a few extra toasted pecans for a truly indulgent treat.

Beyond dessert, this pecan bread works well with a cup of coffee or tea for breakfast or an afternoon snack. Its versatility even allows it to be served alongside barbecue as a sweet counterpoint to savory flavors.

More Delicious Pecan Recipes:

• Easy Pecan Upside Down Cake
• No Bake Pecan Pie Cheesecake
• Pecan Pickups
• Instant Pot Pecan Pie
• Instant Pot Pecan Cheesecake Bites
• Easy Pecan Cobbler
• Butter Pecan Cake Mix Cookies

Old-Fashioned Pecan Bread

This pecan quick bread is easy to prepare and bakes in an 8×8″ dish rather than a loaf pan, similar to cornbread. Baking in a square dish makes it simple to cut into squares and top with ice cream or a drizzle of caramel.

The bread’s texture and nutty flavor make it a hit at family gatherings, church potlucks, or casual get-togethers. It’s equally at home on a dessert table or served with coffee for a cozy morning treat.

Because the recipe is so adaptable, you can double it for a larger crowd and bake in a 9×13″ pan—just add a few extra minutes to the baking time.

More Southern Desserts:

• Appalachian Fudge Brownie Pie
• Southern Sun Drop Cake
• Old-Fashioned Granny Cake
• Easy Preacher Cake

How to Make Southern Pecan Bread

This recipe is quick and requires only a handful of pantry staples and a cup of chopped pecans.

Ingredients You’ll Need:

• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 1/2 cup vegetable oil (or melted butter)
• 2 eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 3/4 cup self-rising flour
• 1 cup chopped pecans

How to Make It:

(Full printable recipe card is available below)

1. Preheat and prepare. Preheat the oven to 350°F and grease an 8×8″ baking dish.

2. Mix the wet ingredients. In a mixing bowl, beat together the granulated and brown sugars with the vegetable oil. Add the eggs and vanilla, mixing until combined.

3. Add the dry ingredient. Gently stir in the self-rising flour on low speed or fold by hand, mixing just until combined. Overmixing can make the bread dense.

4. Fold in pecans. Stir in the chopped pecans by hand so they are evenly distributed throughout the batter.

5. Bake. Spread the batter into the prepared baking dish and bake for about 26–28 minutes, or until the top is golden and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

6. Cool and serve. Let the bread cool before cutting into squares. Serve warm or at room temperature—top with ice cream, a drizzle of caramel, or enjoy plain with coffee.

Notes and Adaptations:

• If you don’t have vegetable oil, swap in melted butter for a richer flavor.
• To serve more people, double the batter and bake in a 9×13″ pan; increase baking time slightly and test with a toothpick for doneness.

Yield: 12-16 Servings

Southern Pecan Bread

This southern pecan bread is an Alabama favorite—perfect with tea or coffee, or served as a sweet side with BBQ.

Prep Time
10 minutes

Cook Time
27 minutes

Total Time
37 minutes

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 1/2 cup vegetable oil
• 2 eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 3/4 cup self-rising flour
• 1 cup chopped pecans

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F and grease an 8×8″ baking dish.
2. In a mixing bowl, beat together both sugars and vegetable oil. Add eggs and vanilla, mixing until incorporated.
3. Add flour and mix on low speed or fold by hand just until combined.
4. Fold in chopped pecans by hand so they are evenly distributed.
5. Spread batter into the prepared baking dish and bake 26–28 minutes, or until golden and a toothpick comes out clean.
6. Let cool before cutting into squares and serving.

Notes

• Melted butter can replace vegetable oil for a richer flavor.
• Doubling the recipe and using a 9×13″ pan works well; extend baking time slightly and test for doneness.

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

12

Serving Size:

1

Amount Per Serving:
Calories: 245
Total Fat: 16g
Saturated Fat: 2g
Trans Fat: 0g
Unsaturated Fat: 14g
Cholesterol: 31mg
Sodium: 107mg
Carbohydrates: 23g
Fiber: 1g
Sugar: 16g
Protein: 3g

Nutrition information is automatically calculated and is not guaranteed for accuracy.

Be sure to save this recipe to your desserts board on Pinterest!