Southern Peach Bread Recipe

Fluffy Southern Peach Bread Recipe: A Summer Baking Delight

Fresh summer peaches dance through this Southern peach bread, creating a moist and irresistible treat that captures the essence of warm afternoons.

Sweet memories of grandmother’s kitchen drift between each delectable slice.

Regional bakers have perfected this classic quick bread over generations, blending simple ingredients with pure comfort.

Soft peach chunks nestle into a tender crumb, releasing bursts of natural sweetness with every bite.

Ripe fruit from local orchards provides an authentic flavor that store-bought ingredients simply cannot match.

A hint of cinnamon and nutmeg adds warmth to the delicate texture, making this bread feel like a cozy embrace.

The Sweet Southern Touch That Peach Bread Delivers

Capture Summer’s Sweetness: This Southern peach bread delivers fresh, juicy fruit flavors straight from the Southern orchards, making every slice a delightful seasonal celebration.

Quick and Simple Preparation: Mix ingredients in two bowls, stir together, and bake – the entire process takes less than 90 minutes from start to finish, perfect for busy home bakers wanting a delicious treat.

Family-Friendly Comfort: Versatile bread works wonderfully as a breakfast option, afternoon snack, or dessert, appealing to both kids and adults with its moist texture and mild sweetness.

Adaptable Ingredient Magic: Easily swap fresh peaches with canned or frozen varieties, allowing year-round enjoyment and flexibility in creating this delectable Southern-style bread.

What Goes In Southern Peach Bread

Fruit Base:
  • Peaches: Fresh, ripe fruits that give sweet flavor and moisture to the bread, preferably local or seasonal for best taste.
Wet Ingredients:
  • Vegetable Oil, Sour Cream: Provide richness and tender texture to the bread, use neutral oil like canola or light olive oil.
  • Eggs: Bind ingredients together and add structure to the bread.
  • Vanilla Extract: Enhances overall flavor with warm, sweet notes, pure vanilla works best.
Dry Ingredients:
  • Flour, Baking Soda, Salt: Essential for bread's structure and rising, use all-purpose flour for consistent results, unbleached preferred.
  • Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps with browning, can use white or light brown sugar.

Southern Peach Bread Step-by-Step

Step 1: Warm Up the Oven

Fire up your oven to a cozy 350°F.

Generously coat your loaf pan with a light layer of butter or cooking spray to prevent sticking.

Step 2: Create a Peach Fusion

Grab a spacious mixing bowl and toss in:
  • Fresh diced peaches
  • Vegetable oil
  • Granulated sugar
  • Eggs
  • Sour cream
  • Vanilla extract

Blend these ingredients until they dance together smoothly.

Step 3: Develop the Dry Blend

In a separate bowl, whisk together:
  • All-purpose flour
  • Baking soda
  • Salt

Make sure these dry ingredients are well acquainted and lump-free.

Step 4: Marry the Mixtures

Gently fold the dry ingredients into the peach mixture.

Stir with a light hand, stopping just as everything is combined.

Overmixing will make your bread tough.

Step 5: Prepare for Baking

Pour the luscious batter into your prepared loaf pan, spreading it evenly.

Step 6: Bake to Perfection

Slide the pan into the preheated oven.

Bake for 50-60 minutes.

Your bread is ready when a toothpick poked into the center comes out clean.

Step 7: Cool and Enjoy

Let the bread rest in the pan for 10 minutes.

Then transfer to a wire rack and allow it to cool completely before slicing into this peachy delight.

Expert Tips for Southern Peach Bread

  • Choose super soft, golden-orange peaches that smell sweet and yield gently when pressed for maximum flavor and moisture in the bread.
  • Toss diced peaches in a tablespoon of flour before mixing to prevent them from settling at the bottom of the bread during baking.
  • Store bread in an airtight container with a slice of bread to keep it soft and fresh for 2-3 days at room temperature.
  • Wrap cooled bread tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil to preserve freshness for up to 3 months in the freezer.
  • Substitute all-purpose flour with a gluten-free blend and add 1/2 teaspoon xanthan gum for similar texture and structure.

Southern Peach Bread – Best Storage and Heating Tricks

  • Store the Southern Peach Bread in an airtight container or wrapped tightly in plastic wrap in the refrigerator for up to 5 days to maintain freshness and prevent drying out.
  • Wrap the bread securely in plastic wrap, then in aluminum foil, and place in a freezer-safe bag. Freeze for up to 3 months, ensuring maximum flavor preservation.
  • Remove the bread from the freezer and let it sit at room temperature for 2-3 hours, or overnight in the refrigerator for gradual defrosting.
  • Warm individual slices in the microwave for 15-20 seconds or in a preheated oven at 300°F for 5-7 minutes to restore its soft, tender texture.

Delicious Accompaniments for Southern Peach Bread

  • Sip Sweet Peach Tea: Brew a refreshing cold peach tea that complements the bread's fruity flavors, enhancing the southern comfort feel.
  • Pair with Vanilla Bourbon Cream: Top a slice with a dollop of vanilla bourbon-infused whipped cream to elevate the dessert's richness and add subtle warmth.
  • Serve with Mascarpone Spread: Create a light mascarpone spread with a touch of honey, offering a creamy contrast to the bread's dense texture.
  • Match with Chilled Moscato: Pour a glass of sweet, slightly fizzy Moscato wine that echoes the peach's natural sweetness and provides a delightful accompaniment.

Southern Peach Bread: Sweet and Savory Options

  • Gluten-Free Peach Bread: Replace wheat flour with almond flour or gluten-free baking blend for a celiac-friendly version that maintains the bread's moist texture.
  • Vegan Peach Delight: Swap eggs with mashed banana or applesauce, use coconut oil instead of vegetable oil, and replace sour cream with dairy-free yogurt for a plant-based alternative.
  • Low-Sugar Peach Bread: Reduce sugar by using stevia or monk fruit sweetener, and incorporate extra ripe peaches to add natural sweetness while keeping the calorie count lower.
  • Nutty Peach Variation: Fold chopped pecans or walnuts into the batter for added crunch and protein, creating a more complex flavor profile with a satisfying texture.

FAQs

  • Can I use canned peaches instead of fresh ones?

Yes, you can use well-drained canned peaches. Pat them dry and cut into small pieces to prevent excess moisture in the bread.

  • How ripe should the peaches be for this recipe?

Choose peaches that are slightly soft but not mushy. Ripe peaches will provide the best flavor and natural sweetness to the bread.

  • Is it possible to make this bread gluten-free?

You can substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend. Use a 1:1 baking replacement flour for best results.

  • Can I add nuts to this recipe?

Absolutely! Chopped pecans or walnuts work wonderfully. Add about 1/2 cup of nuts to the batter for extra crunch and flavor.

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Southern Peach Bread Recipe

Southern Peach Bread Recipe


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4.7 from 10 reviews

  • Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
  • Yield: 8 1x

Description

Sweet Southern Peach Bread brings summer’s golden charm to your kitchen, blending ripe fruit with classic Southern comfort. Moist crumbs and delicate peach notes invite you to savor a slice of homemade happiness.


Ingredients

Scale

Fruits and Produce:

  • 1 cup peaches, peeled and diced

Dairy and Eggs:

  • 2 eggs
  • 1/2 cup sour cream

Dry and Wet Ingredients:

  • 1/2 cup vegetable oil
  • 1/2 cup sugar
  • 1 1/2 cups flour
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt

Instructions

  1. Thoroughly coat a standard loaf pan with cooking spray or butter and heat the oven to 350°F (175°C) for optimal baking conditions.
  2. Gently fold diced peaches into a mixing bowl, incorporating vegetable oil, granulated sugar, fresh eggs, creamy sour cream, and pure vanilla extract until the mixture achieves a smooth, uniform consistency.
  3. In a separate container, sift together all-purpose flour, baking soda, and fine salt to eliminate potential lumps and ensure even distribution of dry ingredients.
  4. Carefully fold the dry ingredient mixture into the peach-based wet ingredients, using gentle stirring motions to prevent overmixing and maintain a light, tender texture.
  5. Transfer the fragrant batter into the prepared loaf pan, spreading it evenly to create a uniform surface for consistent baking.
  6. Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for 55-65 minutes, periodically checking doneness by inserting a clean toothpick into the center – it should emerge without raw batter clinging to it.
  7. Remove the freshly baked bread from the oven and allow it to rest within the pan for 10 minutes, which helps the delicate structure set and prevents crumbling.
  8. Carefully release the bread from the pan and position it on a wire cooling rack, permitting it to reach room temperature before slicing and serving.

Notes

  • Use fully ripe, soft peaches for maximum natural sweetness and intense fruit flavor that enhances the bread’s overall taste.
  • Consider adding a sprinkle of cinnamon or nutmeg to the dry ingredients for a warm, aromatic depth that complements the peaches beautifully.
  • Swap vegetable oil with Greek yogurt or applesauce to reduce fat content and create a lighter, more health-conscious version of the bread.
  • For gluten-free adaptation, replace all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free baking blend to make the recipe accessible to those with wheat sensitivities.
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 50 minutes
  • Category: Breakfast, Snacks, Desserts
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: Southern (American)

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 8
  • Calories: 210
  • Sugar: 6 g
  • Sodium: 120 mg
  • Fat: 9 g
  • Saturated Fat: 1 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 30 g
  • Fiber: 1 g
  • Protein: 3 g
  • Cholesterol: 40 mg
Emily Harper

Emily Harper

Nutrition Consultant & Recipe Analyst

Expertise

Healthy Recipe Modification, Nutritional Analysis & Meal Planning, Global Cuisine & Dietary Adaptations​

Education

School: French Pastry School, Chicago, IL

Program: L’Art de la Pâtisserie

Focus: Intensive training in traditional French pastry techniques, baking theory, and confectionery arts. ​


Emily’s journey started in a pastry kitchen but took a detour into the world of health and flavor science.
Graduating from the French Pastry School and studying nutrition opened her eyes to a new mission: making healthy food taste like something you’d actually crave.
At Dining At Home, Emily’s the go-to for smart, feel-good recipes that don’t trade flavor for nutrition.
She’s all about adding a fresh spin on old favorites and finding small ways to make everyday meals a little brighter.
Outside of the kitchen, Emily is most at home walking forest trails, testing plant-based recipes, or sharing a picnic under a wide-open sky.

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