There’s something irresistibly cozy about the aroma of fresh-baked bread infused with warm spices and sweet fruit. Our Apple Cinnamon Pecan Bread recipe captures that comforting feeling perfectly, making it an ideal treat for chilly mornings, afternoon tea, or a delightful dessert.
This bread combines the natural sweetness of crisp apples with the spicy warmth of cinnamon and the satisfying crunch of toasted pecans. Whether you’re a seasoned baker or just starting out, this recipe is straightforward and rewarding, delivering a moist, flavorful loaf every time.
Beyond its delicious taste, this bread fills your home with a wonderful scent that instantly makes any space feel welcoming. Plus, it’s versatile enough to enjoy plain, with a smear of butter, or even topped with cream cheese for an indulgent twist.
If you love baking with seasonal fruits and warming spices, this bread is a must-try that will quickly become a favorite in your kitchen.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
This Apple Cinnamon Pecan Bread is more than just a simple loaf; it’s a celebration of flavors and textures that come together beautifully. Here’s why it stands out:
- Moist and tender crumb: Thanks to the grated apples and a touch of oil, the bread stays wonderfully moist without being dense.
- Natural sweetness: The apples add a subtle sweetness that pairs perfectly with the warming cinnamon and crunchy pecans.
- Easy to make: With simple ingredients and straightforward steps, this recipe is beginner-friendly yet impressive.
- Perfect for any occasion: Great for breakfast, snack time, or a cozy dessert, and also makes a thoughtful homemade gift.
- Customizable: You can swap pecans for walnuts or add raisins for extra texture and flavor.
Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
- 2 large eggs
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil or melted butter
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 1/2 cups peeled and grated apples (about 2 medium apples)
- 1 cup chopped pecans, toasted
- Optional: 1/2 cup raisins or dried cranberries
Equipment
- Mixing bowls (one large, one medium)
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Box grater (for apples)
- Whisk or electric mixer
- Rubber spatula or wooden spoon
- 9×5 inch loaf pan
- Parchment paper or non-stick spray
- Cooling rack
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease your loaf pan with butter or non-stick spray. Line it with parchment paper for easy removal if desired.
- Toast the pecans: In a dry skillet over medium heat, toast the chopped pecans until fragrant and lightly browned, about 3-4 minutes. Stir frequently to avoid burning. Set aside to cool.
- Mix dry ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, and ground cinnamon until evenly combined.
- Combine sugars and wet ingredients: In a separate medium bowl, beat the eggs with both sugars until smooth. Add the oil (or melted butter) and vanilla extract, mixing until well incorporated.
- Grate the apples: Peel and grate the apples using a box grater. Squeeze out any excess juice gently with your hands or a paper towel to avoid soggy batter.
- Combine all ingredients: Add the wet mixture to the dry ingredients and stir gently until just combined. Avoid overmixing to keep the bread tender.
- Fold in the grated apples, toasted pecans, and optional raisins or dried cranberries until evenly distributed.
- Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan and smooth the top with a spatula.
- Bake for 55-65 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. If the bread browns too quickly, tent it loosely with aluminum foil halfway through baking.
- Cool the bread in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely before slicing.
Tips & Variations
For extra moist bread, choose sweeter, juicier apple varieties like Fuji or Honeycrisp.
Replace pecans with walnuts or almonds for a different nutty flavor.
Add a streusel topping made of brown sugar, flour, butter, and cinnamon for a crunchy finish.
Try folding in 1/2 cup of shredded coconut or chocolate chips for added texture and flavor.
Use whole wheat flour for a healthier twist, but reduce to 1 3/4 cups and add 1/4 cup all-purpose flour to maintain texture.
Nutrition Facts
| Nutrient | Amount per Slice (1/12th of loaf) |
|---|---|
| Calories | 210 |
| Carbohydrates | 28g |
| Protein | 3g |
| Fat | 10g |
| Saturated Fat | 1.5g |
| Fiber | 2g |
| Sugar | 14g |
Serving Suggestions
This Apple Cinnamon Pecan Bread is delicious on its own, but here are some ways to elevate your experience:
- Serve warm with a pat of butter or cream cheese for a comforting breakfast.
- Top with a drizzle of honey or maple syrup for added sweetness.
- Pair with a hot cup of coffee, chai tea, or spiced apple cider for a perfect afternoon snack.
- Make French toast by dipping thick slices in an egg mixture and pan-frying until golden.
- Use as a base for a decadent bread pudding, mixing with custard and baking until set.
Conclusion
Baking this Apple Cinnamon Pecan Bread offers a wonderful way to bring warmth and joy into your kitchen. The blend of tender apples, fragrant cinnamon, and crunchy pecans creates a loaf that’s both flavorful and satisfying.
Whether you’re enjoying it fresh from the oven or as part of a leisurely brunch, this bread is sure to become a beloved staple in your baking repertoire.
Its simplicity and versatility make it a fantastic recipe for bakers of all levels. Plus, you can easily customize it with your favorite add-ins or toppings.
If you’re looking to expand your culinary horizons, check out related recipes like Clean Eating Breakfast Vegetarian Recipes or explore hearty options such as Best Easy Healthy Vegetarian Casserole Recipe Ideas.
For a fresh and vibrant side, try the Baby Spinach Salad Recipe Vegan.
Happy baking, and enjoy every delicious slice!
📖 Recipe Card: Apple Cinnamon Pecan Bread
Description: A moist and flavorful quick bread packed with fresh apples, warm cinnamon, and crunchy pecans. Perfect for breakfast or a cozy snack.
Prep Time: PT15M
Cook Time: PT50M
Total Time: PT65M
Servings: 8 servings
Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 2 medium apples, peeled and diced
- 1 cup chopped pecans
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9×5 inch loaf pan.
- In a bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon.
- In a separate bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
- Add eggs one at a time, then mix in vanilla extract.
- Alternately add flour mixture and sour cream to the wet ingredients, mixing gently.
- Fold in diced apples and chopped pecans.
- Pour batter into prepared loaf pan and smooth the top.
- Bake for 50 minutes or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
- Let the bread cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
Nutrition: Calories: 280 kcal | Protein: 4 g | Fat: 15 g | Carbs: 34 g
{“@context”: “https://schema.org/”, “@type”: “Recipe”, “name”: “Apple Cinnamon Pecan Bread”, “image”: [], “author”: {“@type”: “Organization”, “name”: “GluttonLv”}, “description”: “A moist and flavorful quick bread packed with fresh apples, warm cinnamon, and crunchy pecans. Perfect for breakfast or a cozy snack.”, “prepTime”: “PT15M”, “cookTime”: “PT50M”, “totalTime”: “PT65M”, “recipeYield”: “8 servings”, “recipeIngredient”: [“2 cups all-purpose flour”, “1 teaspoon baking soda”, “1/2 teaspoon salt”, “1 tablespoon ground cinnamon”, “1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened”, “1 cup granulated sugar”, “2 large eggs”, “1 teaspoon vanilla extract”, “1/2 cup sour cream”, “2 medium apples, peeled and diced”, “1 cup chopped pecans”], “recipeInstructions”: [{“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Preheat oven to 350\u00b0F (175\u00b0C) and grease a 9×5 inch loaf pan.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “In a bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “In a separate bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Add eggs one at a time, then mix in vanilla extract.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Alternately add flour mixture and sour cream to the wet ingredients, mixing gently.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Fold in diced apples and chopped pecans.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Pour batter into prepared loaf pan and smooth the top.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Bake for 50 minutes or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Let the bread cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.”}], “nutrition”: {“calories”: “280 kcal”, “proteinContent”: “4 g”, “fatContent”: “15 g”, “carbohydrateContent”: “34 g”}}