This Easy Southern Peach Bread is a warm, fruity treat that’s perfect for breakfast or a snack. With sweet peaches mixed into a soft bread, it’s a taste of summer in every slice!
I can’t resist a warm slice with a bit of butter on top. Honestly, it disappears fast at my house! 🥰 Just mix simple ingredients, bake, and enjoy that lovely peachy goodness!
Key Ingredients & Substitutions
All-Purpose Flour: This is the base for the bread. For a gluten-free version, you can use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend.
Peaches: Fresh peaches are ideal, but you can use canned if fresh ones aren’t available. Just make sure to drain them well to avoid excess moisture.
Buttermilk: If you don’t have buttermilk, mixing regular milk with vinegar (as mentioned) works perfectly. This adds a nice tang that helps the bread rise.
Nuts: I love adding pecans for a bit of crunch, but walnuts or skipping them altogether works too. Whichever you prefer!
How Do You Cream Butter and Sugar?
Creaming butter and sugar is an essential step for light and fluffy bread. Here’s how you can get it just right:
- Make sure your butter is at room temperature; it should be soft but not melted.
- Using a hand mixer or stand mixer, beat the butter and sugar together on medium speed for about 3-5 minutes until it’s pale and fluffy.
- Don’t rush it! This step helps incorporate air, giving your bread a nice rise.
How Can You Tell When the Bread is Done Baking?
To check if your bread is baked properly, use the toothpick test:
- Insert a toothpick into the center of the bread. If it comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs, it’s done!
- If it comes out wet with batter, give it more time in the oven, checking every few minutes.
Feel free to ask if you have any other questions or need more tips! Enjoy baking!
Easy Southern Peach Bread Recipe
Ingredients You’ll Need:
Base Ingredients:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup buttermilk (or regular milk with 1/2 tablespoon vinegar)
Fruit and Optional Add-ins:
- 2 cups fresh peaches, peeled and diced (or canned peaches, drained)
- Optional: 1/2 cup chopped pecans or walnuts
How Much Time Will You Need?
This delicious peach bread will take approximately 15-20 minutes of prep time, plus around 60-70 minutes for baking. Don’t forget to let it cool for about 15 minutes after baking. In total, you’re looking at a little over an hour and a half.
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Preheat and Prepare:
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). While that heats up, grease a 9×5 inch loaf pan or line it with parchment paper to make releasing the bread easier later on.
2. Mix the Dry Ingredients:
In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, salt, and ground cinnamon. This mix will give your bread a nice flavor and structure. Set this bowl aside for now.
3. Creaming the Butter and Sugar:
In a large bowl, take your softened butter and granulated sugar, using a hand mixer or a stand mixer. Beat these together until the mixture is light and fluffy—this usually takes about 3-5 minutes. It helps to incorporate air, making your bread lighter!
4. Adding in Eggs and Vanilla:
Next, add the eggs one at a time to your butter and sugar mixture, mixing well after each addition. Then, stir in the vanilla extract until everything is well combined.
5. Combine Dry and Wet Ingredients:
Now it’s time to bring it all together! Alternately add the flour mixture and buttermilk to the creamed butter mix, starting with the flour and ending with the flour. Stir gently until just combined—don’t overmix!
6. Folding in the Peaches:
Carefully fold in your diced peaches and chopped nuts if you decided to include those. Be gentle to maintain the fluffy texture of the batter.
7. Bake the Bread:
Pour your batter into the prepared loaf pan and spread it evenly. Place it in your preheated oven and bake for 60-70 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. The kitchen will smell amazing during this time!
8. Cool and Enjoy:
Once baked, remove the bread from the oven and let it cool in the pan for about 15 minutes. Then transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely. Slice it up warm or at room temperature, and serve plain or with a spread of butter. Enjoy every bite!
This bread keeps well for a couple of days in an airtight container or can be frozen for later enjoyment. Happy baking!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Can I Use Other Fruits Instead of Peaches?
Absolutely! This bread works well with other fruits like blueberries, raspberries, or even chopped apples. Just keep in mind that the cooking time may vary slightly depending on the moisture content of the fruit you choose.
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 or foil and freeze for up to 3 months. Just make sure to thaw it overnight in the fridge before enjoying!
Can I Make This Bread Gluten-Free?
Yes! You can substitute the all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend. The texture may differ slightly, but it should still turn out delicious!
What Should I Do if My Bread is Too Dense?
If your bread comes out dense, it might be because it was overmixed or the flour was over-measured. Be sure to gently mix the ingredients and use the scoop-and-level method when measuring flour for better results.
