A warm, comforting loaf filled with toasted Alabama pecans, sweet honey, and rich butter. Perfect for breakfast, brunch, or a sweet afternoon treat.
Ingredients:
- For the Bread:
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup honey
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 1 cup toasted chopped Alabama pecans.
- For the Honey Butter Topping:
- 1/4 cup (1/2 stick) unsalted butter, melted
- 2 tablespoons honey
- pinch of salt.
Instructions:
- Prepare the Pecans:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Spread the chopped pecans on a baking sheet and toast for 5-7 minutes, or until fragrant and lightly golden. Let them cool.
- Combine Dry Ingredients:
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
- Cream Butter and Sugar:
- In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy.
- Add the honey and mix until well blended.
- Add Eggs and Vanilla:
- Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in the vanilla extract.
- Alternate Dry and Wet Ingredients:
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, alternating with the buttermilk, beginning and ending with the dry ingredients. Mix until just combined. Do not overmix.
- Fold in Pecans:
- Fold in the toasted chopped pecans.
- Prepare the Pan:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9×5 inch loaf pan.
- Bake the Bread:
- Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan.
- Bake for 50-60 minutes, or until a wooden skewer inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Prepare Honey Butter Topping:
- While the bread cools slightly, in a small bowl combine the melted butter, honey, and a pinch of salt.
- Glaze the Bread:
- Once the bread has cooled slightly, drizzle the honey butter topping over the top of the bread.
- Cool and Serve:
- Let the bread cool completely in the pan before slicing and serving.
Tips and Variations:
- For extra flavor, you can add a pinch of cinnamon or nutmeg to the dry ingredients.
- If you don’t have buttermilk, you can make a substitute by adding 1 tablespoon of lemon juice or white vinegar to 1 cup of milk and letting it sit for 5 minutes.
- Add a streusel topping before baking for added sweetness and texture.
- Serve with extra honey butter on the side.
- Store any leftover bread in an airtight container at room temperature.
Enjoy your Honey Butter Sweet Alabama Pecan Bread!