I have a great recipe for you today, Orange Pean Loaf. I am into loaves, with fresh citrus flavors, they are perfect for spring and summer. Don’t get me wrong I also love a great banana bread too but this loaf is so nice for this time of year.
Wonderful orange flavors with a nutty pecan go so nicely together. Add a lovely fresh icing and you have a gorgeous dessert, perfect for brunch, tea or even a picnic. Our daughter Amber loves to have a slice of this in her lunch box too or when she arrives home from school. I freeze them in individual bags. They don’t take long to defrost and you can have them at the ready anytime.
A lot of times I don’t glaze or ice a loaf but it just adds to much more to it and they are so easy to do. You can up the orange flavor in the icing too.
See how light and airy it is, this really is an amazing loaf. Up the orange zest in the recipe if you like it really orangey!
Orange Pecan Loaf
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup butter
- 3/4 cup sugar
- 2 eggs
- I large orange zested
- 1 1/2 tsp. real orange extract
- 2 cups flour
- 2 1/2 tsp. baking powder
- 1 tsp. salt
- 3/4 cup orange juice
- 3/4 cup pecans toasted
Glaze
- 1/2 cup confectioners sugar icing sugar
- 1 Tbsp. orange juice or to desired consistency
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350F and grease a 9x5x3" loaf pan, set aside.
- In a bowl of a stand up mixer with a paddle attachment, cream the butter and sugar together until fluffy, about 5 min. Add the eggs, one at a time and mix well after each. Add in the orange zest and extract, mix well.
- Whisk together teh flour, baking powder adn salt. Add to the butter mixture alternatively with the orange juice, begin and end with the flour. Mix well. Stir in pecans. Pour the batter into the prepared pan.
- Bake for 50-55 min. until a wooden pick comes out clean. Cool loaf for 10 min. in the pan then remove to a cooling rack to cool completely.
- When cooled mix together the confectioners sugar and orange juice to desired consistency. Pour over loaf and smooth out.
Recipe adapted from Food.com
Comments & Reviews
Laynee says
I didn’t have almonds but had walnuts . Still an excellent loaf. I make my own extracts so my orange extract is a nice zip to the taste
Tara Noland says
I think you meant pecans but walnuts would be a great substitute. Making your own extracts is awesome!!
Laynee says
Yep I meant pecans . But now I’m thinking almonds might be nice also
Bev says
It is cold this morning in Washington and I wish I had a slice of this right now with my coffee. I would make a loaf but don’t have a single drop of orange extract. But, it’s on my list when I go to the store.
Tara Noland says
Hmm, not sure what could have gone wrong and I am sorry you didn’t have success. Clearly as you see in the pictures I didn’t get the same results as you did.
Liz says
Pictures can be deceiving.
Tara Noland says
Why on earth would I try to deceive you? I test and retest a lot of my recipes and have loads of experience, if there is ever an issue I will not share. You do have to take into consideration that oven temperatures are different and that could be the cause or a simple mistake in the preparation.
Liz says
I have been baking for over 50 years. I always check and recheck the ingredients I put in and also check and recheck the preparation. If something does not come out right it is my fault I will own up to it. It is not the case here. I check and rechecked to make sure i put in all the ingredients and followed your directions. By the way I noticed you did,not say when to put in the extract.. thank you for your response. Will not be using your recipes again. Can’t risk it.
Tara Noland says
In five years I have never had anyone as rude as you! Goodbye!
Joan says
Looks like a YUM recipe! The only thing I would do …& do…I Always lightly toast my nuts before putting them in the batter! They taste better & have a bit of crunch. And, they don’t get chewy…Ugh! It’s a trick I learned years ago.
Tara Noland says
Great idea, thank you, I will add that. I usually do that also.
The hungry mum says
I love loaf cakes too! And I actually have pecans in the pantry and an orange in the fruit bowl so this cake WILL be made by moi v soon ?
Suzy @ The Mediterranean Dish says
This is recipe is a keeper! I love it, Tara! Thank you.
Minnie@thelady8home says
Lovely amazing cake! Citrus cake, wonderful.
Catherine says
Dear Tara, what a beautiful loaf! All those pecans in the center…I wish I had a slice of this with some tea. Perfect afternoon break after being in the garden all day. xo, Catherine
Janette@culinaryginger says
I love a citrus loaf. This looks so good.
Janette@culinaryginger says
I love a citrus loaf. This looks so good.
nancy@skinnykitchen.com says
What a lovely tea cake Tara!
Linda (Meal Planning Maven) says
I can’t indulge in cake very often but the next time I have a craving, I will be thinking about your cake!
Tara Noland says
You can have one thin slice, I won’t tell Linda!
Dan from Platter Talk says
Gorgeous and delicious looking; so very nicely done!!
Tara Noland says
Thank you so much Dan!
Linda (Meal Planning Maven) says
I can’t indulge in cake very often but the next time I have a craving, I will be thinking about your cake!
Dan from Platter Talk says
Gorgeous and delicious looking; so very nicely done!!