Description
This Apple Cinnamon Pecan Bread is a moist, flavorful quick bread perfect for breakfast or a snack. Infused with warm spices, tender chopped apples, and crunchy pecans, it’s a delightful treat that blends sweet and tart flavors in every bite.
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
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- ¼ cup brown sugar, packed
- 2 large eggs
- ½ cup plain Greek yogurt or sour cream
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Additional Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups peeled and finely chopped apples (about 2 medium apples)
- ¾ cup chopped pecans
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Pan: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9×5-inch loaf pan to ensure the bread does not stick.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, salt, ground cinnamon, and ground nutmeg to evenly distribute the spices and leavening agents.
- Cream Butter and Sugars: In a large bowl, use a mixer to cream the softened unsalted butter with granulated sugar and brown sugar until the mixture becomes light and fluffy, which incorporates air for a tender crumb.
- Add Eggs and Wet Flavorings: Beat in the eggs one at a time ensuring each is fully mixed before adding the next. Then mix in the plain Greek yogurt (or sour cream) and vanilla extract until smooth and well combined.
- Combine Wet and Dry: Gradually stir the dry ingredient mixture into the wet ingredients until just combined. Avoid overmixing to keep the bread tender.
- Fold in Apples and Pecans: Gently fold the finely chopped peeled apples and chopped pecans into the batter, distributing them evenly without deflating the batter.
- Pour and Bake: Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan and spread it evenly. Bake in the preheated oven for 55 to 65 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Cool the Bread: Let the bread cool in the pan for 10 minutes before transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely, which helps it set and makes slicing easier.
Notes
- Use a mix of sweet and tart apples like Honeycrisp and Granny Smith for balanced flavor.
- To enhance the spice, add a pinch of ground cloves or allspice.
- This bread freezes well—wrap tightly and freeze for up to 2 months for convenient future snacking.
