Fall is here, and there's nothing quite like the comforting aroma of freshly baked Spiced Pumpkin Pecan Bread filling your home. This recipe is the perfect blend of warm spices and crunchy pecans, making it a delightful treat for cozy autumn days.
Pumpkin puree gives the bread its moist texture and rich, deep flavor. It's the star of the show, adding a natural sweetness and beautiful color. All-purpose flour forms the foundation of the bread, creating the perfect structure to hold everything together. Using a mix of granulated sugar and brown sugar brings a balanced sweetness, with the brown sugar adding a hint of molasses and depth. Unsalted butter ensures a rich flavor without added saltiness, while eggs provide moisture and help bind the ingredients. Vanilla extract enhances the overall flavor, giving it a warm, inviting aroma. Buttermilk adds a slight tang and creates a tender crumb, while baking soda and baking powder work together to help the bread rise perfectly. A pinch of salt balances the sweetness, and a blend of ground cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves gives it that classic fall spice. Finally, pecans add a delightful crunch and nutty flavor.
This Spiced Pumpkin Pecan Bread is a versatile treat! Enjoy a slice with a smear of cream cheese for breakfast, or pair it with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a decadent dessert. It also makes a lovely gift during the holiday season!
First, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). While that's heating up, grab a 9x5 inch loaf pan and give it a good greasing. This will help your bread slide right out when it's done. Next, take a large bowl and whisk together your dry ingredients: flour, granulated sugar, brown sugar, baking soda, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves. This step is crucial for evenly distributing the spices and rising agents, so don't skip on the whisking!
In another bowl, mix the wet ingredients: pumpkin puree, melted butter, eggs, vanilla extract, and buttermilk. Stir until they're all well combined. Now you’re ready to bring the dry and wet ingredients together. Gradually add the wet mix to the dry, stirring just until everything is combined. Overmixing can lead to a dense loaf, so stop as soon as the flour disappears.
Fold in the chopped pecans gently. You want them evenly distributed but don't want to crush them. Pour your batter into the prepared loaf pan, smoothing the top with a spatula. This helps it bake evenly. Place it in the preheated oven and let it bake for 60 to 70 minutes. You'll know it's done when a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Once baked, allow it to cool in the pan for about 10 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely. This cooling step is crucial for the texture.