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Irresistible Honey Butter Alabama Pecan Bread – Sweet, Nutty & Melt-in-Your-Mouth

This Honey Butter Alabama Pecan Bread is everything you want in a cozy homemade treat: soft, buttery bread loaded with crunchy pecans and kissed with sweet honey. It’s moist, tender, and bursting with Southern flavor—perfect for breakfast, brunch, dessert, or gifting. One bite and you’ll see why this old-fashioned favorite is so beloved throughout the South! 🍞✨
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 50 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Servings: 10 slices

Ingredients
  

🍞 For the Pecan Bread
  • cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • ½ cup packed light brown sugar
  • ½ tsp baking powder
  • ½ tsp baking soda
  • ½ tsp salt
  • 1 cup chopped pecans
  • 1 cup buttermilk
  • 2 large eggs
  • ½ cup unsalted butter melted and cooled
  • 2 tbsp honey
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
🍯 Optional Honey Butter Glaze
  • 2 tbsp melted butter
  • 2 tbsp honey
  • Pinch of salt

Equipment

  • Large mixing bowl
  • Whisk or hand mixer
  • 9×5-inch loaf pan
  • Rubber spatula
  • Measuring cups & spoons
  • Cooling rack

Method
 

Step 1: Preheat & Prep
  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
  2. Grease and flour a 9×5-inch loaf pan or line with parchment.
Step 2: Mix Dry Ingredients
  1. In a large bowl, whisk together flour, granulated sugar, brown sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and chopped pecans.
Step 3: Mix Wet Ingredients
  1. In another bowl, whisk together buttermilk, eggs, melted butter, honey, and vanilla until smooth.
Step 4: Combine
  1. Pour wet ingredients into dry ingredients. Stir gently with a spatula until just combined—don’t overmix.
Step 5: Bake
  1. Pour batter into prepared loaf pan.
  2. Bake for 45–55 minutes, until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
Step 6: Add Glaze (Optional)
  1. While bread is still warm, brush with melted butter mixed with honey and a pinch of salt for extra shine and flavor.
Step 7: Cool & Serve
  1. Let bread cool in pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
  2. Slice and enjoy!

Notes

🥄 Variations
Nutty Swap: Use walnuts or almonds instead of pecans.
Extra Sweet: Stir in ½ cup chocolate chips.
Spiced: Add 1 tsp cinnamon or ¼ tsp nutmeg.
Mini Loaves: Divide into smaller pans; reduce bake time to 25–30 minutes.
🧊 Storage & Reheating
Room Temp: Store in an airtight container up to 4 days.
Fridge: Keep up to 7 days.
Freezer: Wrap tightly; freeze up to 3 months. Thaw overnight at room temperature.
❓ 10 FAQs
Can I use regular milk instead of buttermilk?
Yes—add 1 tbsp vinegar or lemon juice to 1 cup milk for a quick buttermilk substitute.
Can I make it dairy-free?
Use plant-based milk + vinegar and vegan butter.
Can I make muffins instead?
Yes—bake in muffin tins for 18–22 minutes.
What if I don’t have honey?
Maple syrup works perfectly!
How do I toast pecans?
Bake pecans at 350°F for 5–7 minutes for extra flavor.
Can I reduce the sugar?
Yes—reduce by up to ¼ cup without affecting texture.
What type of honey works best?
Mild, light honey lets the pecans shine.
Is it sweet?
Yes—this is a dessert-style bread.
Can I double the recipe?
Absolutely—use two loaf pans.
Can kids eat this?
Definitely—it’s mild and kid-friendly.
📝 Conclusion
This Honey Butter Alabama Pecan Bread is rich, sweet, and full of buttery, nutty goodness. It’s a true Southern classic that’s easy to make, perfect for sharing, and sure to become a family favorite!