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Chewy, buttery sweet Alabama pecanbread—an easy Southern dessert bar packed with toasted pecans. Perfect for potlucks and holiday baking!
Meet your new potluck hero: Sweet Alabama Pecanbread is that classic Southern dessert bar everyone fights for at the church social. Think chewy pecan bars meets pecan blondies—golden edges, a shiny crackly top, and a toasty pecan crunch in every bite. It’s versatile, wildly easy, and bakes up perfectly in a 9×13 pan with zero fuss. If you’re craving an old-fashioned pecan dessert that feels special but uses pantry staples, this Alabama Pecanbread recipe is your sweet spot. Ready to dive into the best Southern pecan bars with no mixer and big pecan energy? Let’s bake.
What Makes This Sweet Alabama Pecanbread Special?
Here’s the sweet tea on it: These chewy pecan squares deliver that Southern pecan dessert flavor without the pie drama. I dialed in the bake so the center stays fudgy-chewy while the edges caramelize. Expect a simple stir-and-bake method and perfect sliceable bars for holidays, tailgates, and Tuesday cravings.
- No mixer needed: One bowl, a whisk, and you’re done—perfect “easy Alabama Pecanbread recipe” vibes.
- Chewy center, crisp edge: The ideal blondie-like texture with a glossy, crackly top. Snack bar goals.
- Pecan-forward flavor: Toasted pecans bring buttery depth—because the pecans are the star.
- Pantry-staple simple: Eggs, brown sugar, oil, flour, vanilla. That’s it for these Southern pecan bars.
- Dairy-free by default: Made with oil, not butter—hello, dairy-free pecan dessert.
- Make-ahead friendly: Freezes like a dream and stays chewy for days. Great for holiday baking and gift boxes.
- Highly customizable: From bourbon glaze to chocolate chip pecanbread, there’s a variation for every sweet tooth.
Ingredient Notes
Before you preheat: Here’s what makes this Alabama Pecanbread recipe work so well—and how to choose the best ingredients for the richest flavor.
- Pecans: Use fresh, untoasted pecans and toast them yourself for maximum aroma. Chop medium-fine for even distribution and clean slices.
- Brown sugar: Light brown sugar keeps things chewy and caramelly; dark brown adds deeper molasses notes.
- Granulated sugar: Balances sweetness and helps create that shiny, crackly top.
- Neutral oil: Canola, vegetable, or grapeseed oil gives a plush, moist crumb and keeps it dairy-free.
- Eggs: The backbone of structure and chew. Room temperature eggs whisk up glossier batter.
- All-purpose flour: The classic choice for tender bars; measure with the spoon-and-level method for accuracy.
- Vanilla extract: A generous splash rounds out the brown sugar and pecan flavors.
- Salt: Essential to balance sweetness and sharpen caramel notes. Don’t skip it.
- No leavening needed: Traditional Alabama pecanbread relies on eggs for lift, keeping the texture dense-chewy, not cakey.
How To Make Sweet Alabama Pecanbread
Bake like a Southern pro: This is a stir, spread, and bake situation—perfect for last-minute guests or holiday dessert bars you can make ahead.
- Prep the pan: Heat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9×13 metal pan with parchment, leaving overhang for easy lifting. Lightly grease the sides.
- Toast the pecans: Spread pecans on a sheet pan and toast 6–8 minutes until fragrant. Cool, then chop. This step unlocks major flavor.
- Whisk the sugars and oil: In a large bowl, whisk brown and white sugar with oil until glossy and cohesive, about 30 seconds.
- Add eggs and vanilla: Whisk in eggs, one at a time, until the batter is smooth and shiny. Stir in vanilla and a good pinch of salt.
- Fold in flour: Switch to a spatula and fold in flour just until no dry streaks remain. Don’t overmix—chewiness beats toughness.
- Add pecans: Fold in the toasted pecans, reserving a few tablespoons to sprinkle on top for a pretty finish.
- Spread and bake: Smooth batter into the pan, sprinkle reserved pecans, and bake 24–30 minutes. Look for set edges and a glossy top with slight cracks; a tester should come out with moist crumbs.
- Cool and slice: Cool in the pan 20 minutes, lift out, then cool completely. For the cleanest cuts, chill 30 minutes before slicing into squares.
Pro Tips
- Measure smart: Spoon-and-level your flour; too much flour equals cakey, dry bars.
- Metal pan wins: A light-colored metal 9×13 bakes more evenly than glass or ceramic.
- Rotate the pan: If your oven has hot spots, rotate at the 15-minute mark for even browning.
- Shiny top check: The glossy, crackly surface means the sugars and eggs did their magic—pull it then for max chew.
- Troubleshoot grease: Oily top? Your pecans may have been stale or over-oily; use fresh nuts and weigh ingredients if you can.
- Altitude adjust: At 3,000+ ft, reduce sugar by 2 tablespoons and bake a few minutes longer.
- Smaller batch: For an 8×8 pan, make half the recipe and bake 20–24 minutes.
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Storage & Reheating
Make it ahead without losing chew: Alabama pecanbread bars keep beautifully and reheat like a dream.
- Room temp: Store in an airtight container up to 3 days.
- Refrigerate: Keep up to 7 days; let come to room temp or warm before serving.
- Freeze: Wrap sliced bars in parchment, then in a zip-top bag for 2–3 months. Thaw at room temp.
- Microwave reheat: 8–12 seconds per square for soft, just-baked vibes.
- Oven refresh: 275°F for 5–8 minutes to revive edges while keeping centers chewy.
- Air fryer crisp: 300°F for 3–4 minutes for warm centers and lightly crisp edges.
Variations & Substitutions
Make it your signature: These easy pecan bars love a twist. Try one of these ideas the next time you bake.
- Chocolate chip pecanbread: Fold in 1/2–3/4 cup mini chocolate chips.
- Maple-pecan: Swap 2–3 tablespoons brown sugar for real maple syrup; add 1/2 teaspoon maple extract.
- Bourbon glaze: Whisk powdered sugar, a splash of bourbon, and milk; drizzle over cooled bars.
- Cinnamon toast: Add 1 teaspoon cinnamon and a light cinnamon-sugar dusting before baking.
- Orange or espresso: Add 1 tablespoon orange zest or 1 teaspoon espresso powder for sophisticated depth.
- Gluten-free Alabama pecanbread: Use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend with xanthan gum; bake to moist-crumb doneness.
- Vegan variation: Use 3 flax “eggs” (1 tbsp ground flax + 3 tbsp water each) and refined coconut oil. Texture is slightly less glossy but still delish.
- Nut swap: Try toasted walnuts or hazelnuts; for nut-free, use toasted pumpkin seeds and extra vanilla.
- Salted finish: A pinch of flaky sea salt on warm bars = bakery-level contrast.
Final bite: If you’re after a reliable, crowd-pleasing Southern dessert that tastes like pecan pie and blondies had a chewy little miracle, Sweet Alabama Pecanbread is it. It’s quick, nostalgic, and endlessly adaptable—from church picnic to Thanksgiving dessert tray. Want more sweet inspiration? Explore more on my site: pecan recipes and dessert bars.
FAQ
Is Alabama pecanbread a bread or a bar?
It’s a chewy pecan dessert bar (think pecan blondies), not a yeast bread. Slice it like brownies and watch it vanish.
Can I make this gluten-free?
Yes—use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend with xanthan gum. Bake until a tester has moist crumbs. It stays chewy and fabulous.
What kind of oil works best?
Neutral oils like canola, vegetable, or grapeseed. Olive oil adds flavor you’ll taste—great if that’s what you want, but neutral keeps it classic Southern pecan bars territory.
How do I know when it’s done?
Edges set, top glossy with thin cracks, and a toothpick comes out with moist crumbs (not wet batter). Pull it then for peak chewiness.
Can I freeze Alabama pecanbread?
Absolutely. Freeze slices wrapped in parchment in a bag for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temp, then warm briefly to refresh.
Why did my pecanbread turn greasy?
Usually stale or over-oily nuts, or mis-measured flour. Toast fresh pecans, spoon-and-level flour, and mix just until combined. A metal pan also helps set the crumb cleanly.
Can I add chocolate or bourbon?
Yes to both. Stir in mini chips or finish with a light bourbon glaze. Both are wildly popular at holiday parties.
How do I get clean slices?
Chill the slab 30 minutes, use a sharp knife, and wipe the blade between cuts. A ruler helps if you’re into bakery-perfect squares.
Sweet Alabama Pecanbread
Chewy, buttery sweet Alabama pecanbread—an easy Southern dessert bar packed with toasted pecans. Perfect for potlucks and holiday baking!
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Servings: 24 bars
Equipment
- 9×13-inch baking pan
- Parchment paper
- Large mixing bowl
- Whisk
- Rubber spatula
Ingredients
Ingredients
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1/4 tsp fine sea salt
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted and slightly cooled
- 2 large eggs at room temperature
- 1 cup light brown sugar, packed
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 cups pecans, chopped lightly toasted for best flavor
Instructions
- Heat oven to 350°F. Grease a 9×13-inch pan and line with parchment, leaving overhang for easy removal.
- In a large bowl, whisk the eggs, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until thick and glossy, about 1 minute.
- Whisk in the melted butter and vanilla until smooth and fully combined.
- In a separate bowl, stir together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Add to the wet mixture and fold just until no dry spots remain.
- Fold in the chopped pecans. Spread the batter evenly into the prepared pan.
- Bake 25–30 minutes, until the top is shiny and crackly and a toothpick inserted near the center comes out with just a few moist crumbs.
- Cool completely in the pan on a rack. Use the parchment to lift out, then cut into bars.
Notes
For deeper flavor, toast pecans on a sheet pan at 350°F for 6–8 minutes and cool before adding. Do not overbake; the bars set as they cool and should stay chewy. Store airtight at room temperature up to 3 days or freeze up to 2 months.
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