Homestyle Plum Pecan Bread

Fresh Plum Bread is a tender, lightly sweet loaf that brings together juicy fresh plums, crunchy pecans, warm cinnamon, and fragrant cardamom.

The chopped plums add a naturally sweet-tart flavor and pockets of softness throughout the loaf, while the pecans provide a pleasant contrast in texture.

A touch of honey, white sugar, and vanilla rounds out the fruit and gives the bread its inviting sweetness.

The batter is enriched with both applesauce and Greek yogurt, creating a moist texture without making the loaf overly heavy.

The combination of cinnamon and cardamom adds gentle warmth that complements the fresh plums beautifully.

As the bread bakes, some of the reserved plum pieces are arranged over the top, giving the finished loaf an appealing fruit-filled appearance.

A scattering of coarse sugar adds a subtle crunchy finish when used.

This plum bread is versatile enough to enjoy at different times of day. It can be served as a simple breakfast loaf, an afternoon snack, or a sweet dessert.

The recipe uses straightforward ingredients and a simple mixing method, making it an approachable way to use fresh plums in a baked treat.

Each slice offers a combination of tender crumb, juicy fruit, and nutty pecans, making this loaf both comforting and flavorful.

Lawrence D. Smith

Homestyle Plum Pecan Bread

A moist, fruit-filled quick bread featuring fresh plums, chopped pecans, honey, applesauce, yogurt, cinnamon, and cardamom, finished with extra plums and coarse sugar on top.

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Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 50 minutes mins

Total Time 1 hour hr 5 minutes mins

Servings: 8

Course: Bread

Cuisine: American

Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients

  

• Plum Bread
• 1 ½ cups plums chopped; about 3–4 plums
• ¾ cup pecans chopped
• 1 egg
• ½ cup honey
• ⅔ cup white sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• ½ cup applesauce*
• ½ cup Greek vanilla or plain yogurt*
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• ½ teaspoon cardamom
• 2 tablespoons coarse sugar

Equipment

• 9×5-inch loaf pan
• Large mixing bowl
• Whisk
• Mixing spoon or spatula
• Cooling rack
• Toothpick

Method

 

1. Preheat the Oven: Preheat the oven to 350°F.
2. Prepare the Loaf Pan: Grease a 9×5-inch loaf pan thoroughly.
3. Prepare the Plums: Chop or dice the plums and set them aside, reserving a few pieces to place on top of the batter later.
4. Prepare the Pecans: Chop the pecans and set them aside.
5. Combine the Wet Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the egg, honey, white sugar, and vanilla until combined.
6. Add Applesauce and Yogurt: Mix the applesauce and Greek yogurt into the egg mixture until everything is well combined.
7. Add the Dry Ingredients: Stir in the flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and cardamom until incorporated.
8. Fold in the Fruit and Nuts: Gently fold the chopped pecans and most of the chopped plums into the batter, keeping the reserved plum pieces aside for the topping.
9. Fill the Pan: Transfer the batter to the greased loaf pan and spread it into the pan. Gently arrange the reserved plum pieces over the top.
10. Add the Sugar Topping: Sprinkle the coarse sugar over the batter if desired.
11. Bake the Bread: Bake at 350°F for 50–65 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the bread comes out clean.
12. Cool in the Pan: Place the loaf pan on a cooling rack and allow the bread to cool for 15 minutes.
13. Cool Completely: Remove the bread from the pan and allow it to cool completely on the cooling rack.
14. Store Leftovers: Wrap any leftover bread in plastic wrap and store it on the counter for 2–3 days.

Notes

• Use about 3–4 fresh plums to provide the specified 1½ cups of chopped fruit.
• Reserve a few plum pieces for arranging over the top of the loaf before baking.
• The recipe allows either Greek vanilla or plain yogurt.
• You can substitute all applesauce or all yogurt, according to the source note.
• The coarse sugar topping is optional.
• Bake until a toothpick inserted into the loaf comes out clean; the source gives a 50–65 minute baking range.
• Let the loaf cool in the pan for 15 minutes before removing it to the cooling rack.
• Store leftovers wrapped in plastic wrap on the counter for 2–3 days.

Chef’s Secret

The most useful trick for this plum bread is to reserve a small portion of the chopped plums specifically for the top instead of mixing every piece into the batter.

After transferring the batter to the greased loaf pan, gently place those reserved pieces over the surface before adding the coarse sugar.

This keeps visible pieces of plum on top of the finished loaf and gives it a more attractive, fruit-filled appearance.

Fold the remaining plums and chopped pecans into the batter gently so they stay distributed throughout the loaf rather than being heavily worked into the mixture.

Since the fruit contributes moisture, rely on the recipe’s toothpick test rather than appearance alone to determine when the bread is baked.

Serving Suggestions

Serve slices of Plum Bread on their own for breakfast or an easy snack, or enjoy them as a simple dessert.

The fruity loaf can be paired with a cup of coffee or tea for an afternoon serving.

For a more dessert-like presentation, place a slice on a serving plate and highlight the plum pieces and coarse-sugar topping.

The bread can also be served slightly warm or at room temperature, depending on preference.

Conclusion

This Plum Bread is a simple way to turn fresh plums and pecans into a tender, warmly spiced loaf.

Its sweet-tart fruit, nutty texture, and hints of cinnamon and cardamom make it suitable for breakfast, snacking, or dessert.

With an easy preparation method and a colorful plum topping, it makes a welcoming homemade bake for any occasion.