This Easy Southern Peach Bread is a warm and sweet treat that’s perfect for breakfast or snack time! It’s made with fresh peaches, giving it a delightful fruity flavor and a nice, soft texture.
When I bake this bread, my kitchen smells like a sunny day! I love having it with a cup of coffee. Trust me, it’s hard to resist a second slice when it’s still warm!
Key Ingredients & Substitutions
Fresh Peaches: Fresh peaches are essential for this recipe, providing natural sweetness and moisture. If you don’t have fresh peaches, you can substitute with canned peaches (drained) or even frozen peaches (thawed and drained) for a sweeter flavor.
Unsalted Butter: Unsalted butter gives a rich flavor. If you’re out of butter, you can use vegetable oil or coconut oil, but it might change the texture slightly. I prefer butter for that classic bread taste!
Buttermilk: Buttermilk keeps the bread moist and tender. If you don’t have it, you can make a quick substitute by mixing 1 tablespoon of vinegar or lemon juice with enough regular milk to make 1/4 cup, letting it sit for a few minutes.
How Do I Ensure My Peach Bread is Moist and Delicious?
To achieve that incredibly moist texture, attention to the mixing process is key. Overmixing can result in a tougher bread. Follow these steps:
- Start by creaming the butter and sugar until fluffy. This introduces air, helping the bread rise.
- When adding the dry ingredients, mix until just combined. It’s okay if there are a few lumps—this helps keep the bread soft.
- Gently fold in the diced peaches. This technique avoids breaking them up too much while ensuring they’re evenly distributed throughout.
Lastly, be sure to check the doneness with a toothpick. It should come out clean when bread is done; this will prevent dry bread!
How to Make Easy Southern Peach Bread
Ingredients You’ll Need:
For the Bread:
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg (optional)
- 1 cup diced fresh peaches (peeled and pitted)
- 1/4 cup buttermilk or milk
How Much Time Will You Need?
This delightful Easy Southern Peach Bread takes about 15 minutes of prep time and around 50-60 minutes to bake. Don’t forget to let it cool for about 10 minutes after baking, so it’s nice and ready to slice. You’ll be enjoying this lovely bread in no time!
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Preheat the Oven:
First things first! Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). While that’s heating up, take out your loaf pan and grease it well. This will help the bread come out easily later.
2. Cream the Butter and Sugar:
In a large bowl, grab your softened butter and sugar. Use a mixer or a wooden spoon to mix them together until the mixture becomes light and fluffy. This should take about 2-3 minutes.
3. Add the Eggs and Vanilla:
Now it’s time to beat in the eggs, one at a time. Make sure you mix well after adding each egg. Then, add in the vanilla extract and give it another good mix.
4. Combine the Dry Ingredients:
In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg. This ensures everything is evenly mixed before going into the wet mixture.
5. Mix Wet and Dry Ingredients:
Gradually add your dry mixture to the wet ingredients, alternating with the buttermilk. Start and end with the flour mixture. Mix gently until everything is just combined—don’t overdo it! We want the bread to stay nice and soft.
6. Fold in the Peaches:
Carefully fold in the diced peaches. You don’t want to break them up too much, just gently mix them in so they’re evenly distributed in the batter.
7. Pour and Smooth the Batter:
Pour the batter into your prepared loaf pan and smooth out the top with a spatula. This will help it bake evenly.
8. Bake the Bread:
Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for 50-60 minutes. You can check if it’s done by inserting a toothpick into the center; if it comes out clean, it’s ready!
9. Cool the Bread:
Once baked, carefully remove the bread from the oven. Let it cool in the pan for about 10 minutes before transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely. This way, it holds its shape and cools down nicely!
10. Serve and Enjoy:
Slice the bread when it’s cool and serve it warm or at room temperature. It’s perfect with coffee, or just on its own! Enjoy every delicious bite of your Easy Southern Peach Bread!
FAQ for Easy Southern Peach Bread
Can I Use Frozen Peaches Instead of Fresh?
Yes, you can use frozen peaches! Just make sure to thaw them completely and drain any excess moisture before dicing and adding them to the batter. This helps to prevent the bread from becoming too watery.
How Can I Make This Recipe Dairy-Free?
You can easily make this peach bread dairy-free by substituting the unsalted butter with a plant-based butter and using almond milk or coconut milk instead of buttermilk. Just follow the same ratios and it will turn out delicious!
How Should I Store Leftovers?
Store any leftover peach bread in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. If you want to keep it longer, you can wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and freeze it for up to 2 months. Just thaw before enjoying!
Can I Add Other Fruits or Nuts to This Recipe?
Absolutely! Feel free to experiment with other fruits like blueberries or raspberries, or add nuts such as walnuts or pecans for extra crunch and flavor. Just keep in mind that adding additional fruit may alter the moisture content slightly.
