Apple Pecan Bread

Apple Pecan Bread is super moist and so full of flavor, it's a must-try. Use your favorite apples, pecans, or walnuts, and this pecan apple bread will never disappoint! This apple pecan bread recipe is a definite keeper.

It's the small things in life that give us comfort, and food is one of them. Apple pecan bread makes you feel good inside. 

My wonderful friend, Marcel, who sadly passed away earlier this year, surprised me once with this apple pecan bread recipe. Being totally geared up for banana bread, I was completely blindsided by the taste of this apple pecan bread. I was so impressed with this apple pecan loaf, I've been making it ever since. 

Marcel knew a thing or two about baking, and I proudly serve this apple pecan loaf in her honor. Family and friends appreciate this pecan apple loaf as much as I do, and so I make it often. 

This apple pecan walnut loaf was one of my son's all-time favorites and still is to this day. He's eaten it for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Perhaps not the wisest thing to do, but I understand the temptation to finish it all in one day. Seeing apple pecan loaf sitting on the counter can be very tempting. It beckons you and resistance may be futile.

This apple pecan bread recipe has stood the test of time. It seems like I've been baking this pecan apple loaf forever! And that's a good thing, because if my family and friends weren't eating it, there wouldn't be a reason to make it.  Make sense?

Pecan Apple Bread

This apple pecan bread is so moist and tender. Filled with apples and pecans, it's absolutely filled to bursting with the delicious, sweet flavors of fall. 

Biting into a slice of this bread is like biting into everything we love about autumn, especially when it's nice and warm and slathered with butter! It's a delicious bread that's perfect for afternoon snacks or even sweet breakfasts. Served with coffee or milk, it always satisfies everyone as soon as they take a bit of that first slice. 

Why You'll Love this Apple Pecan Bread

• Super moist texture full of flavor
• So easy to prepare using common ingredients
• Perfect for breakfast, brunch or dessert
• Fills the kitchen with a delicious aroma while baking
• Perfect balance of crunchy pecans, juicy apples, and light, fluffy bread

Ingredients for Apple Pecan Bread Recipe

If you're not normally a sweet eater, perhaps you should consider giving this apple pecan loaf a try. Sure, this apple pecan loaf recipe calls for sugar, but it isn't overly sweet.  It also isn't overly complicated. It's a fairly straightforward recipe that only takes a few standard baking ingredients to me. 

The ingredients for pecan apple bread are pure and simple. 

• butter
• sugar
• eggs
• milk
• vanilla
• apples
• flour
• baking powder
• baking soda
• salt
• pecans or walnuts

Put these items on your grocery list and you won't be sorry when you put them all together. The results will not disappoint.

Substitutions and Variations

Don't have the correct ingredients on hand? Or want to change something up? Here are some helpful tips for you to change this apple pecan loaf.

• Vanilla extract - Vanilla is a universal crowd-pleaser, but feel free add a half a teaspoon of your desired extract flavor to your egg mixture like almond, coconut, peppermint, lemon, banana, maple, orange, or rum extract instead prior to dipping your English muffins into it.
• Toast the nuts - Toast nuts in oven prior to baking to alter flavor and texture somewhat.
• Apples - Have a look at our list of the best apples for baking to make sure your favorite variety will work and work well in this recipe.
• Pecans - Use walnuts, almonds or your favorite nut instead.
• Add a Glaze - To give your loaf an extra touch of sweetness you can add a simple glaze made with powdered sugar, milk and vanilla extract. Simply whisk together all three ingredients in a bowl until smooth then spread over the cooled loaf before slicing and serving.
• Add Spice - Add a teaspoon of cinnamon, nutmeg or cloves to enhance the flavor of this bread.

How to make Pecan Apple Bread

This is an incredibly easy pecan apple bread recipe, as most quick breads are. It doesn't take much effort to pull everything together for this recipe, and when you're done, you'll have a sweet, apple-filled treat that you'll find hard to put down.

You'll find the complete recipe with times and amounts in the recipe card below. In the meantime, take a look at this quick overview so you'll know what to expect. 

Using a handheld or stand mixer, in a large bowl, combine the butter and sugar and mix until smooth.

Add eggs, milk, vanilla, grated apple and stir.

Mix in the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, pecans or walnuts until completely incorporated.

Pour batter into loaf pan and spread evenly. Bake for 60 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

Leave in the pan for 10 minutes, then place it on a wire rack to finish cooling.

Slice, serve and enjoy every bite!

Best Apples for making Pecan Apple Bread

Because of their tartness, Granny Smith apples are my apples of choice when making this apple pecan bread. Sugar and cinnamon balance out perfectly with that tart taste. For this reason, granny smiths are also my go-to in many apple other recipes.

But when it comes to baking this apple pecan bread, any kind of apple will work well. So feel free to use your favorites.  We created a resource for you if interested in the best apples for baking. Some apples definitely work better than others and you might want to take a look.

There are lots of apples to consider, so whichever apples you decide to use, your apple pecan bread will turn out beautifully every time.

Apple Pecan Loaf

I'm always game for making different kinds of loaves, but like my son, I'm a sucker for this apple pecan loaf. And my husband always puts on a happy face when I make it. Place a slice of apple pecan bread in front of them, and it can be a bit of a feeding frenzy!

Whether it's called apple pecan loaf or apple pecan bread, the results are always the same - AMAZING!

For added flavor, spread a little butter over a slice. I wouldn't turn down a dollop of whipped cream on top of a slice either.

But this apple pecan loaf is exceptional without adding a thing. It's the kind of loaf that grabs a hold of you and won't let go. I'm up for that! 

Apple Walnut Loaf

Saying that I love apples and pecans would be an understatement. And I wouldn't say no to walnuts either. They're a great alternative to pecans. 

Walnuts are a protein source that has many benefits. Rich in antioxidants and omega-3's, studies have shown this high-fiber nut helps fight against depression and may assist in warding off Alzheimer's disease. It also plays a role in memory improvement and in cognitive development. Nutritional and tasty? Bonus!  

My friend, Gayle, has grandkids who come to visit occasionally. She will often make them walnut apple loaf because it seems to be a huge hit.

The first time Gayle made it for them, she announced she was making an apple walnut loaf. They gave her that ho-hum look. When she told them it was actually an apple cake, their eyes and ears perked up! Cake was the operative word. 

Like Gayle's grandkids, if you'd prefer to think of it as an apple walnut cake, that's perfectly fine. No matter what you call it, it's going to be a delight.

Gayle always adds extra walnuts for the nutritional factor, but she doesn't tell the grandkids that. They gobble this apple walnut loaf  like there's no tomorrow!

And Gayle's daughter always asks her to make an extra one for her to take home. Even though Gayle would rather they have it only at her place, she can't say no. Everyone leaves happy, and that's what really counts.

Apple Nut Loaf 

Come to think of it, there's nothing stopping you from chopping up a blend of pecans and walnuts. Although I've never tried it, finely chopped almonds would work wonders in this apple nut loaf. Apples and almonds make a fine pair.  

My newly-found always upbeat friend, Enzo might be up for it. Since his wife passed away, he's always on the look-out for something new to try, and this apple nut loaf may be just the ticket! 

Storage

Once cooled, store it in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.

To freeze, store in an airtight container or with slices individually wrapped in plastic wrap, inside a freezer bag or resealable container, for up to 2 months.

What to Serve with Apple Pecan Loaf

Serve warm or room temperature.

Topping this pecan apple loaf with a dusting of confectioners sugar or a cinnamon-sugar mixture is something you may want to consider.

A scoop of ice cream over a slice of this apple pecan loaf could be heaven on earth!

Serving it with a side of fruit would be nice also.

And its undeniably good with coffee, tea or milk. 

Enjoy this pecan apple bread any time of day. The best time to eat it is when you feel like it. This pecan apple loaf gets a lot of traction in my house and always will.

Tips

• Use fresh apples for the best flavor and texture
• Make sure all your ingredients are at room temperature before you begin baking to ensure a creamy batter with consistent texture
• Mix gently until just combined to avoid overmixing, which can result in a denser loaf when baked
• Grease your loaf pan generously so that it releases easily without tearing or sticking when ready to cool on a wire rack
• Test for doneness by inserting a toothpick into the center. If it comes out clean, then bread's done. If there is batter still on the toothpick, bake 5 minutes more and check again until cooked
• Cool completely before serving to help maintain its shape and make slicing easier too
• Wait at least 10 minutes before transferring onto wire rack so that it can cool evenly without falling apart during transfer process

FAQ

Video

Other Delicious Apple Recipes to Try

Since I've been babbling on about this pecan apple bread recipe, now's the time to give it a try. It never ceases to amaze me what you can do with apples.

From one apple lover to another, here are some other apple recipes you might be interested in.

Again, your thoughts matter to me, so don't hesitate to leave me your comments. Thanks for visiting. We'll see you next time!

Pecan Apple Bread

Ready to get cooking? Remember that you can print this recipe if you would like.