Southern Peach Bread Loaf Recipe

There is something really comforting about baking a whole loaf of bread. It fills the entire house with a sweet and fruity smell. One of my favorite recipes is Southern Peach Bread Loaf because it is easy, flavorful, and good for any time: breakfast, dessert, or a snack. The slices are soft and moist, with juicy peaches in every single one, tasting like summer in every single bite.

What is Southern Peach Bread Loaf All About?

Southern Peach Bread Loaf is a type of quick bread, usually made with fresh or canned peaches, that serves as the foundation for creating a tender and buttery batter. It is sweet but not cloyingly so, and offers a wide range of options for when you might want to have a slice: with your morning cup of coffee or as a sweet treat after dinner. The fruits are naturally juicy, making them juicy inside; yet, the warm spices create that southern comfort feel.

Ingredients

Dry Ingredients

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1/4 tsp nutmeg

Wet Ingredients

• 2 large eggs
• 1/2 cup vegetable oil (or melted butter)
• 1/2 cup sour cream (or plain yogurt)
• 1 tsp vanilla extract

Fruit

• 1 1/2 cups chopped peaches (fresh or canned, drained well)

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9×5-inch loaf pan.
2. In a medium bowl, combine flour, sugar, baking soda, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
3. In a large bowl, mix sugar and eggs, oil, sour cream, and vanilla. This is not a difficult method; really, you just have to mix them until they’re really smooth.
4. Gradually add the dry mixture to the wet mixture. Combine mixtures just until blended.
5. Gently fold in chopped peaches; do not overmix.
6. Spread the batter evenly in the prepared loaf pan.
7. Bake for 55–65 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
8. Cool the cake in the pan for 10 minutes before placing it on a wire rack. Slice while warm and enjoy!

Storage Tips

• Extras can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
• To last longer, you can keep it in the refrigerator for up to a week.
• Wrap individual slices in foil and keep them frozen for up to 2 months — just thaw in foil and reheat them!

Serving Suggestions

• Prefer eating it warm with butter or a drizzle of honey.
• Serve it warm with vanilla ice cream to give it a really decadent dessert-like feel.
• Pair it with a hot cup of coffee or sweet iced tea for a Southern snack.

Pro Tips & Variations

• Chopped pecans or walnuts will give increased crunch.
• Brown sugar can replace white sugar for a much deeper flavor.
• Swirl a bit of cream cheese mixture through the batter just before baking to achieve even more richness.
• Make it spicy by adding ground ginger or cardamom.

FAQs

1. May I use frozen peaches?

Yes! Simply thaw and drain them really well before putting them into the batter.

2. Can I make this bread less sweet?

You can omit around 1/4 cup of the sugar and not affect the texture very much.

3. Is this an all-dairy-free recipe?

Yes, replace dairy sour cream with dairy-free yogurt and use oil to substitute for butter.

4. Can I opt for making muffins instead of a loaf?

Definitely! Just divide the batter into a muffin tin and bake it for 20 to 25 minutes.

Try It!

This Southern Peach Bread Loaf is just sweet, moist, and full of fresh fruit flavor; it’s easy to make and beginner-friendly; a recipe that will have you wanting to bake it over and over. Trust me when I say this- once you taste it, you’ll see why it’s such a Southern classic. Give it a try and share it with the family or friends- they’ll love it!