This Easy Southern Peach Bread is a sweet, fruity delight packed with juicy peaches. It’s perfect for breakfast or a tasty snack!
Every bite is like a warm hug from summer. I find myself sneaking extra slices after dinner. You will too once you smell it baking! 🍑
What I love is how simple it is—just mix, pour, and bake! It fills the house with a lovely peachy scent that’s hard to resist. Enjoy it warm with butter for a treat!
Key Ingredients & Substitutions
All-purpose flour: This is the base of the bread. If you need a gluten-free option, try using a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend. Just make sure it contains xanthan gum for the right texture.
Fresh peaches: While fresh peaches are ideal for flavor, you can use frozen peaches if that’s what you have. Just make sure to thaw and drain any excess moisture before adding them to the batter.
Sugar: Granulated sugar adds sweetness, but you could substitute brown sugar for a deeper flavor. You can also use coconut sugar or a sugar substitute if you’re watching your sugar intake.
Butter: Unsalted butter is best for precise control over the salt level in the recipe. If you need a dairy-free option, coconut oil or a vegan butter can work well here.
How Do You Make Sure Your Bread Turns Out Moist and Delicious?
To keep your peach bread nice and moist, focus on your mixing technique and baking time. Over-mixing can make bread tough, so mix until just combined. Also, watch the baking time closely as oven temperatures vary.
- Using room temperature ingredients (like butter and eggs) helps with even mixing.
- Check doneness a few minutes early. If a toothpick inserted still has moist crumbs but isn’t wet, it’s perfect!
- Let the bread cool in the pan first. This helps it set up and keeps it from falling apart when you transfer it to a rack.
How to Make Easy Southern Peach Bread
Ingredients You’ll Need:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup fresh peaches, peeled, pitted, and finely chopped
- 1/4 cup chopped nuts (optional, such as pecans or walnuts)
- 1/4 cup milk or buttermilk
How Much Time Will You Need?
This Easy Southern Peach Bread will take about 15 minutes to prepare and around 50-60 minutes to bake. Make sure to set aside additional time for cooling—around 10 minutes in the pan, then let it cool completely on a wire rack.
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Preheat the Oven:
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). While it’s heating up, grease and flour a 9×5 inch loaf pan or you can line it with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
2. Mix the Dry Ingredients:
In a medium bowl, combine the flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Whisk them together until they are well mixed, and then set aside the bowl for later.
3. Cream Butter and Sugar:
In a large bowl, use a mixer to cream the softened butter and granulated sugar together until the mixture is light and fluffy. This usually takes about 2-3 minutes.
4. Add the Eggs and Vanilla:
Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Then, stir in the vanilla extract until everything is blended smoothly.
5. Combine the Mixtures:
Now, it’s time to add in the dry mixture! Gradually add the flour mix to the butter mixture, alternating with the milk. Start and end with the flour mixture, mixing until just combined. Be careful not to over-mix!
6. Fold in Peaches and Nuts:
Gently fold in the chopped peaches and any nuts you’re using. This is where the magic happens—your batter should be smelling amazing!
7. Pour into the Pan:
Pour the batter into your prepared loaf pan, smoothing the top with a spatula for an even bake.
8. Bake:
Bake your peach bread in the preheated oven for 50-60 minutes. To check for doneness, insert a toothpick in the center—if it comes out clean, your bread is ready!
9. Cool and Transfer:
Once baked, remove the bread from the oven and let it cool in the pan for about 10 minutes. Then, carefully transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely.
10. Slice and Serve:
After the bread has cooled down, slice it into pieces. You can enjoy it plain or slather it with butter or cream cheese for an extra tasty treat!
This moist and warmly spiced Southern peach bread is perfect for breakfast, as a snack, or even as dessert. Enjoy every delicious bite of summer goodness!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Can I Use Canned Peaches Instead of Fresh Peaches?
Yes, you can use canned peaches if fresh ones are not available. Just make sure to drain them well and chop them into smaller pieces to avoid excess moisture in the batter.
How Do I Store Leftover Peach Bread?
Store any leftover peach bread in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. For longer storage, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate for up to a week or freeze it for up to 3 months.
Can I Add Other Fruits or Flavors?
Absolutely! Feel free to mix in other fruits like blueberries, raspberries, or even apples. You can also add nuts, chocolate chips, or spices like ginger to customize your bread to your taste.
Can I Make This Recipe in Mini Loaf Pans?
Yes, you can! Divide the batter evenly among mini loaf pans and adjust the baking time to about 30-40 minutes. Just keep an eye on them, and check for doneness with a toothpick.
