Orange Pecan Bread

Sep 12, 2026 · By VanillaGoods

Baking Quick breads Vanilla: Extract Easy

A loaf of orange pecan bread on a wooden board, two thick slices cut to show the moist crumb

Moist and tender quick bread with fresh orange zest and juice, toasted pecans, and a bright vanilla note. Perfect for breakfast or an afternoon snack.

Prep 15 min

Cook 60 min

Total 1 hr 15 min

Yield 10 slices

Diet —

Ingredients

Adjust yield

slices

2.0 cups (240.0 g)all-purpose flour
1.0 tsp (4.0 g)baking powder
½ tsp (2.0 g)baking soda
½ tsp (3.0 g)fine sea salt
½ cup (113.0 g)unsalted butter, softened
¾ cup (150.0 g)light brown sugar, packed
2.0 (100.0 g)large eggs
⅓ cup (80.0 ml)fresh orange juice (about 1 large orange)
15.0 ml (6.0 g)orange zest (from about 1 large orange)
½ cup (120.0 ml)plain yogurt or sour cream
5.0 ml (5.0 ml)pure vanilla extract
120.0 g (120.0 g)pecans, toasted and chopped

Make it at home

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Instructions

Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9x5-inch loaf pan, or line it with parchment paper.
In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt until well combined.
In a large bowl, beat the softened butter with the brown sugar until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes.
Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Then mix in the vanilla extract, orange zest, and orange juice.
Stir in the yogurt until smooth and combined.
Gradually fold the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients just until no dry flour remains. Do not overmix.
Gently fold in the toasted chopped pecans.
Spread the batter evenly into the prepared loaf pan and smooth the top with a spatula.
Bake for about 55 to 60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs.
Let the bread cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely before slicing.

Tips

Toast pecans in a dry skillet over medium heat until fragrant to enhance their flavor.
Use fresh orange zest and juice for the best bright citrus flavor and balance with vanilla.

Recipe FAQ

How long does it take to make orange pecan bread?

Plan on 15 minutes of prep and 1 hour of cooking. The recipe makes 1 9x5-inch loaf, about 10 slices.

How should I store orange pecan bread?

Wrap the bread tightly and store at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerated for up to 5 days. Reheat slices briefly in a toaster or oven before serving.

Can I make orange pecan bread ahead?

This bread can be baked a day ahead; wrap and store to maintain freshness.

Can I use a different form of vanilla?

Yes. This recipe uses 5 ml pure vanilla extract. Each teaspoon of pure vanilla extract can be swapped for 1 teaspoon of vanilla bean paste, the seeds of half a vanilla bean, or 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla powder. Paste and seeds add the classic dark specks.

Moist and tender quick bread with fresh orange zest and juice, toasted pecans, and a bright vanilla note. Perfect for breakfast or an afternoon snack.

Estimated · per serving

Nutrition

Per serving = 1 of 10 servings this recipe makes.

335 Calories / serving

19.4g Fat

36.2g Carbs

5.3g Protein

16.5g Sugar

Whole recipe (10 servings): ~3350 cal · 194g fat · 362g carbs · 53g protein · 165g sugar

Estimated values per serving, calculated from standard ingredient data. Not verified Nutrition Facts; actual values vary with brands, measurements, and preparation.

Per serving · 335 calories

What it takes to burn one serving

Brisk walking 63 min·3.7 mi·~7350 steps
Walking uphill or incline treadmill 45 min·2.3 mi·~4500 steps
Moderate cycling 34 min·6.8 mi
Swimming laps 47 min
Jogging 33 min·2.8 mi·~5300 steps
Stair climbing 31 min·~2800 steps
Dancing 54 min
Bodyweight circuit training 34 min
Cleaning, errands, or playing with the dog 78 min

Rough estimates for one serving, based on standard MET values at about 155 lb. Your own burn depends on body size, effort, and fitness. Shown for context only — food is not something you have to earn.

Made with VanillaGoods

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