Description
This Apple Cinnamon Pecan Bread is a moist, flavorful quick bread perfect for breakfast or a snack. It combines the sweet and tart notes of chopped apples with warm cinnamon and nutmeg spices, enhanced by crunchy pecans for texture. Baked to golden perfection, this loaf provides a delightful balance of sweetness and spice that is delicious fresh or even better the next day.
Ingredients
Scale
Dry Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking soda
- ½ tsp salt
- 1 ½ tsp ground cinnamon
- ½ tsp ground nutmeg
Wet Ingredients
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup light brown sugar, packed
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- ½ cup sour cream
Add-ins
- 2 cups peeled and finely chopped apples (such as Honeycrisp or Granny Smith)
- ¾ cup chopped pecans
Instructions
- Prepare the Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9×5-inch loaf pan or line it with parchment paper to prevent the bread from sticking.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, salt, ground cinnamon, and ground nutmeg until evenly combined.
- Cream Butter and Sugars: In a large mixing bowl, use a hand or stand mixer to cream the softened unsalted butter with both granulated and light brown sugars until the mixture is light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes.
- Add Eggs and Flavor: Beat in the eggs one at a time, ensuring each is fully incorporated before adding the next. Then mix in the vanilla extract and sour cream until the batter is smooth.
- Combine Ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredient mixture to the wet mixture, folding or mixing gently until just combined; avoid overmixing for a tender crumb.
- Fold in Apples and Pecans: Carefully fold the finely chopped apples and chopped pecans into the batter, distributing them evenly throughout.
- Fill and Bake: Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan and spread it out evenly. Bake in the preheated oven for 55 to 65 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Cool: Allow the bread to cool in the pan for about 10 minutes, then transfer it onto a wire rack to cool completely before slicing.
Notes
- For best flavor, allow the bread to rest overnight as the spices and apples develop deeper flavor.
- Walnuts can be substituted for pecans if desired.
- For extra sweetness, consider adding a simple glaze made of powdered sugar and apple juice or milk.
- If using tart apples like Granny Smith, adjust sugar slightly if a sweeter loaf is preferred.
