Orange Pecan Sweet Bread Recipe

There’s something comforting about baking a loaf of sweet bread on a cool, rainy day. The warm citrus aroma fills the kitchen and the soft, tender slices are perfect for breakfast, an afternoon snack, or a light dessert. This version keeps the flavor bright with fresh orange juice and zest while remaining lighter than many traditional quick breads—no butter is used, and the recipe uses fat-free milk in place of buttermilk (you can easily make a buttermilk substitute by adding about 1 tablespoon lemon juice to the milk and letting it sit for 10 minutes).

The loaf combines whole wheat pastry flour with warm spices and a touch of Stevia for sweetness. Toasted pecans add crunch and toasted nut flavor, and a quick orange glaze finishes the bread with a glossy pop of citrus. Best of all, this is a quick, no-rise sweet bread: mix the dry and wet ingredients, combine briefly, pour into a pan, and bake.

Prep time is minimal and the loaf bakes in under an hour, making it a practical choice when you want a fresh-baked treat without a lot of fuss.

Prep Time: 5 mins

Cook Time: 45 mins

Total Time: 50 mins

Servings: 12 slices

Ingredients

• 1 3/4 cups whole wheat pastry flour
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 1/4 tsp sea salt
• 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
• 1/4 tsp cinnamon
• 1/4 tsp allspice
• 1/2 cup Stevia
• 3/4 cup fat-free milk
• 1 Tbsp lemon juice
• 1/4 cup chopped pecans, toasted
• 3 Tbsp coconut oil
• 3 Tbsp fresh orange juice
• 2 tsp orange zest
• 2 large eggs
• Cooking spray

For the glaze:

• 1/2 cup powdered sugar
• 2 tsp fresh orange juice
• 1 1/2 tsp chopped pecans, toasted

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. In a large bowl, whisk together the whole wheat pastry flour, baking powder, baking soda, sea salt, nutmeg, cinnamon, and allspice until evenly combined. Make a well in the center and set aside.
3. In a medium bowl, whisk the Stevia (or other sweetener), fat-free milk, lemon juice, toasted chopped pecans, coconut oil, fresh orange juice, orange zest, and eggs until mixed.
4. Pour the wet mixture into the flour mixture and stir gently with a spoon just until the batter is moistened. Do not overmix; a few small lumps are fine.
5. Coat an 8 x 4-inch loaf pan with cooking spray and pour in the batter, smoothing the top slightly.
6. Bake at 350°F for 45–48 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Remove the pan from the oven and let the bread cool in the pan for about 10 minutes, then transfer the loaf to a wire rack to cool completely.
7. To make the glaze, whisk the powdered sugar with the 2 teaspoons of fresh orange juice until smooth and pourable. Drizzle the glaze over the cooled loaf and sprinkle with the remaining toasted pecans. Allow the glaze to set for a few minutes before slicing.
8. Slice and serve. Store any leftovers tightly wrapped at room temperature for a day or two, or refrigerate for longer storage.

Notes & Tips

• To toast pecans: spread them on a baking sheet and bake at 350°F for 5–8 minutes, watching closely until fragrant and lightly browned.
• If you prefer a sweeter loaf, increase the sweetener slightly or use a sugar of your choice instead of Stevia. Adjust the glaze consistency by adding a few drops more orange juice if needed.
• Whole wheat pastry flour gives a tender texture; if you don’t have it, you can substitute all-purpose flour, but the texture and nutrition will change slightly.
• Make the milk-and-lemon “buttermilk” substitute by stirring 1 tablespoon lemon juice into the milk and letting it rest 10 minutes before using.

Nutrition (per slice)

Serving: 1 slice | Calories: 171 kcal | Carbohydrates: 27.4 g | Protein: 3.2 g | Fat: 5 g | Fiber: 0.7 g

Nutrition information is automatically calculated and should be used as an approximation.

This orange-pecan sweet bread strikes a nice balance between bright citrus flavor and cozy spice, with a crunchy pecan topping and a glossy orange glaze. It’s quick to prepare, low on fuss, and makes a lovely homemade treat for guests or a leisurely morning at home. Enjoy!