Imagine the heavenly aroma of warm apples and cinnamon mingling with toasted pecans, wafting through your kitchen and drawing everyone in for a taste. That’s exactly what you’ll get with this Apple Cinnamon Pecan Bread. It’s the perfect blend of cozy fall flavors, tender apples, and crunchy nuts—all wrapped up in a soft, buttery loaf that makes breakfast or snack time feel like a special occasion. Whether you serve it fresh from the oven with a pat of butter or tuck away a few slices for later, this is a bake you’ll crave all year long.

Apple Cinnamon Pecan Bread Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

The ingredient list for Apple Cinnamon Pecan Bread is delightfully straightforward, but every component is essential to creating a loaf with just the right balance of sweetness, texture, and spice. Each one plays its part to give you that irresistible homemade flavor.

All-purpose flour: The sturdy backbone for the bread, providing perfect structure and a soft crumb.
Baking soda: Gives your loaf that beautiful lift and a light, airy texture.
Salt: Enhances all the other flavors and keeps the sweetness in check.
Ground cinnamon: The star spice, lending big, warm flavor and that classic comfort-bread aroma.
Ground nutmeg: A pinch goes a long way to deepen the spice profile and bring out the apple’s natural sweetness.
Unsalted butter (softened): Adds richness and a tender bite—make sure it’s softened for easier blending.
Granulated sugar: For just the right amount of sweetness and a subtle crisp exterior.
Brown sugar (packed): Brings moisture and a hint of molasses that pairs beautifully with apples.
Large eggs: Essential for binding and giving structure to your bread.
Sour cream: Adds moisture and a gentle tang, creating a gloriously soft loaf.
Vanilla extract: Rounds out all the flavors with its warm, fragrant undertone.
Peeled and finely chopped apples: Choose Honeycrisp or Granny Smith for the perfect balance of tart and sweet, plus a juicy bite.
Chopped pecans: These toasted nuts bring a delectable crunch and nutty richness throughout each slice.

How to Make Apple Cinnamon Pecan Bread

Step 1: Prep Your Oven and Loaf Pan

First up, set yourself up for baking success by preheating your oven to 350°F. While it’s warming up, grease a standard 9×5-inch loaf pan. This tiny bit of effort ensures the Apple Cinnamon Pecan Bread releases easily and bakes up golden with nice, crisp edges.

Step 2: Whisk the Dry Ingredients

Grab a medium bowl and whisk together your flour, baking soda, salt, ground cinnamon, and nutmeg. Blending these dry ingredients before they’re added to the batter helps guarantee even distribution of the leaveners and spices. You’ll get a perfectly risen loaf with warm spice in every bite.

Step 3: Cream Butter and Sugars

In a large bowl, beat the softened butter with both the granulated and brown sugars until the mixture is light and fluffy. This step is key for a tender, almost cake-like texture—the creamed butter traps little air bubbles, helping your bread rise beautifully.

Step 4: Add Eggs, Sour Cream, and Vanilla

Beat the eggs in, one at a time, ensuring each is fully mixed before adding the next. Then stir in the sour cream and vanilla extract. The sour cream gives a moist, richly flavored crumb, and vanilla brings all the flavors together harmoniously.

Step 5: Combine Wet and Dry Mixtures

Now, gently fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, stirring just until everything is combined. Overmixing is the enemy here—stop as soon as the last streak of flour disappears for the softest Apple Cinnamon Pecan Bread.

Step 6: Add Apples and Pecans

Fold in the chopped apples and pecans. The apples should be finely chopped so they meld seamlessly into the loaf, while the pecans add irresistible crunch and toasty depth in every bite. Your batter will look hearty and packed with goodness—exactly what you want!

Step 7: Fill the Pan and Bake

Pour the batter into your greased loaf pan and smooth the top. For a little extra flair, sprinkle cinnamon sugar or more chopped pecans on top. Bake for 55 to 65 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Let the bread cool in the pan for 10 minutes before carefully transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely. This resting time helps set the crumb and makes slicing a breeze.

How to Serve Apple Cinnamon Pecan Bread

Garnishes

For an inviting finish, dust your loaf with powdered sugar, drizzle a light vanilla glaze, or crown it with a few extra toasted pecan halves. These garnishes not only add visual flair but invite a little more festivity (and who can say no to that?).

Side Dishes

Apple Cinnamon Pecan Bread pairs perfectly with a cup of freshly brewed coffee or apple cider. For something more filling, serve alongside soft scrambled eggs or a dollop of Greek yogurt with a drizzle of honey. It’s a fantastic star for brunch platters and even better when slightly warmed.

Creative Ways to Present

You can slice and toast leftover bread for a unique breakfast treat, or transform thick slices into French toast for a weekend upgrade. Cut into cubes, it makes a decadent bread pudding, or simply wrap individual slices to tuck into lunchboxes and picnic baskets. However you serve it, this bread always steals the show!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Once cooled, wrap your Apple Cinnamon Pecan Bread tightly in plastic wrap or store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. The flavors actually deepen and meld, making each slice somehow even more irresistible the next day.

Freezing

This is an ideal recipe to bake ahead! Wrap the whole cooled loaf (or individual slices) tightly in plastic wrap and then a layer of foil before freezing. Your Apple Cinnamon Pecan Bread will keep well for up to 2 months—just thaw overnight at room temperature for a treat on demand.

Reheating

To reheat, simply warm slices in the microwave for about 15 seconds or toast lightly for a little crunch. For a bakery-style touch, bake slices in a 300°F oven for 5 minutes—they’ll taste freshly made all over again!

FAQs

Can I use a different type Breakfast, Snack

Absolutely! While Honeycrisp or Granny Smith are classic choices for Apple Cinnamon Pecan Bread thanks to their balance of sweet and tart, you can use Fuji, Gala, or any apple you have on hand. Firmer apples give the best texture and flavor.

What can I substitute for sour cream?

If you don’t have sour cream, Greek yogurt (plain, full-fat) is a great substitute that will still keep your bread moist and tender. In a pinch, buttermilk can work—just reduce the amount slightly and add a bit more flour if needed.

Can I make this bread nut-free?

Definitely! Simply leave out the pecans for a delicious apple-cinnamon loaf on its own, or swap in toasted sunflower or pumpkin seeds for a bit of crunch without the nuts.

How do I prevent my bread from sticking to the pan?

Greasing your loaf pan thoroughly is key, and you can also line the bottom and sides with parchment paper for extra insurance. Let the bread cool in the pan for 10 minutes before turning it out—this helps it set and makes removal smooth.

Is this Apple Cinnamon Pecan Bread very sweet?

It has just the right touch of sweetness to complement the apples and pecans without feeling like dessert. If you prefer a less sweet loaf, you can reduce the sugar by a couple of tablespoons or use a mix of apple varieties for more tartness.

Final Thoughts

If you’re looking for a simple yet show-stopping bake, Apple Cinnamon Pecan Bread is truly the answer. It’s one of those recipes you’ll want to make again and again, whether for gifts, potlucks, or cozy moments at home. Give it a try, and let this irresistible loaf fill your kitchen (and your heart) with joy!

Apple Cinnamon Pecan Bread Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.6 from 30 reviews

Author: admin
Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
Yield: 1 loaf (8–10 slices) 1x
Diet: Vegetarian

Print Recipe

Description

Indulge in the warm flavors of fall with this delicious Apple Cinnamon Pecan Bread. Moist and packed with apples and pecans, it’s perfect for breakfast or as a snack with your favorite hot drink.

Ingredients

Scale

Dry Ingredients:

2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg

Wet Ingredients:

1/2 cup unsalted butter (softened)
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup brown sugar (packed)
2 large eggs
1/4 cup sour cream
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Additional Ingredients:

1 1/2 cups peeled and finely chopped apples (such as Honeycrisp or Granny Smith)
3/4 cup chopped pecans

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

Instructions

Preheat and Prepare: Preheat the oven to 350°F and grease a 9×5-inch loaf pan.
Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
Beat Wet Ingredients: In a large bowl, beat the butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy. Add the eggs, sour cream, and vanilla extract.
Combine and Bake: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, fold in the apples and pecans. Pour the batter into the prepared pan and bake for 55–65 minutes.
Cool and Serve: Let the bread cool in the pan for 10 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.

Notes

For extra crunch and flavor, sprinkle a cinnamon sugar mixture or chopped pecans on top before baking.
This bread freezes well—wrap tightly and freeze for up to 2 months.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 60 minutes
Category: Breakfast, Snack
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American