If you’re craving something sweet, moist, and bursting with fruity goodness, you’re going to adore this Heavenly Peach Bread Recipe. It’s a delightful treat that perfectly combines tender bread with juicy peaches, making every bite a little piece of heaven.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Fresh and Fruity: The diced peaches add a natural sweetness and juicy texture that brightens every bite.
- Easy to Whip Up: Simple pantry ingredients come together quickly with minimal effort for maximum flavor.
- Versatile and Crowd-Pleasing: Perfect for breakfast, dessert, or an afternoon snack, pleasing every palate.
- Beautiful Presentation: The glaze not only adds sweetness but a stunning finish that feels special.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This Heavenly Peach Bread Recipe uses a few simple ingredients that all come together to create that perfect balance of tender crumb and vibrant peach flavor. Each component plays an important role in texture, taste, or moisture for the bread.
- Granulated sugar: Adds sweetness and helps create a lovely crust on the bread.
- Whole milk: Brings richness and moisture to keep the bread soft inside.
- Vegetable oil: Keeps the bread tender and moist without weighing it down.
- Large egg: Acts as a binder to hold the bread together and add structure.
- Pure vanilla extract: Enhances flavor depth with a warm, subtle aroma.
- All-purpose flour: The base of the bread’s structure, providing just the right texture.
- Baking powder: Leavens the bread for a fluffy, light crumb.
- Salt: Balances the sweetness and enhances the other flavors.
- Fresh peaches, diced: The star ingredient adding juicy bursts of sweet, summery flavor.
Note: Exact ingredients and measurements are listed in the recipe card below.
Variations
One of the best things about this Heavenly Peach Bread Recipe is how easy it is to tailor it to your taste or dietary needs. Feel free to experiment and make it your own — the possibilities are deliciously endless.
- Gluten-Free Version: Substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free blend to make it safe for gluten-sensitive friends.
- Add Warm Spices: Toss in a teaspoon of cinnamon or nutmeg to bring cozy warmth that complements the peaches beautifully.
- Mixed Fruit Twist: Swap some peaches for nectarines, plums, or berries for a unique flavor profile each time.
- Nutty Crunch: Stir in chopped pecans or walnuts for an irresistible crunch and added texture.
How to Make Heavenly Peach Bread Recipe
Step 1: Preheat and Prepare
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F and greasing a 9×5-inch loaf pan. This sets the stage for your bread to bake evenly and prevents sticking, so your bread comes out perfectly shaped and ready to impress.
Step 2: Mix Wet Ingredients
In a medium bowl, whisk together sugar, milk, vegetable oil, egg, and vanilla extract until everything is smooth and well combined. This mixture forms the flavorful and moist base of your bread.
Step 3: Combine Dry Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk the flour, baking powder, and salt together. Mixing these dry ingredients ensures your bread gets a nice rise and a balanced flavor without any clumps.
Step 4: Blend and Fold
Gently fold the dry ingredients into the wet ones until just combined — be careful not to overmix! Then, carefully fold in the diced peaches, allowing their juicy sweetness to spread throughout the batter.
Step 5: Bake to Perfection
Pour your batter into the prepared loaf pan and bake for 55 to 60 minutes until the top is golden and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. This step is where magic happens as your heavenly peach bread transforms into an aromatic delight.
Step 6: Cool and Glaze
After removing from the oven, let the bread cool in the pan for about 10 minutes before transferring it onto a wire rack to cool completely. For the glaze, mix powdered sugar, melted butter, diced peaches, and vanilla until smooth, adding heavy cream if needed for the perfect drizzlable consistency. Spread this luscious glaze over the cooled bread before serving.
Pro Tips for Making Heavenly Peach Bread Recipe
- Use Ripe Peaches: The riper, the better — they bring maximum sweetness and moisture to your bread.
- Fold Gently: Overmixing can make the bread tough; folding carefully keeps it tender and airy.
- Check Oven Temperature: Oven inconsistencies can affect baking time, so keep an eye on your bread’s color and test with a toothpick.
- Cool Fully Before Glazing: Prevents the glaze from melting off and keeps that beautiful, glossy finish intact.
How to Serve Heavenly Peach Bread Recipe
Garnishes
Freshly sliced peaches or a sprinkle of powdered sugar complement this bread beautifully. For an extra touch, add a dollop of whipped cream or a light drizzle of honey to highlight the peaches’ natural sweetness.
Side Dishes
This bread pairs wonderfully with a cup of morning coffee or afternoon tea. It also makes a fine accompaniment to creamy yogurt or fresh cottage cheese for a balanced breakfast or snack experience.
Creative Ways to Present
Slice the bread and serve it on a rustic wooden board surrounded by peach slices, edible flowers, or fresh mint leaves for an inviting look. You can also toast slices lightly and top with a smear of cream cheese or ricotta for an elegant twist.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store leftover peach bread in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, ensuring it stays moist and flavorful. Keeping it away from direct sunlight helps preserve its fresh taste and texture.
Freezing
This bread freezes beautifully! Wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and then in foil or a freezer bag. Freeze for up to 3 months and thaw overnight in the refrigerator for easy future treats.
Reheating
For a warm and freshly baked feel, reheat slices in the microwave for about 15–20 seconds, or toast them lightly to bring back that delicate crisp crust and soft crumb.
FAQs
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Can I use canned peaches instead of fresh ones?
While fresh peaches provide the best flavor and texture, you can use canned peaches drained well if fresh are unavailable. Just be mindful of extra moisture and gently pat them dry to prevent the batter from becoming too wet.
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How do I know when the peach bread is fully baked?
Look for a golden brown top and insert a toothpick into the center; if it comes out clean or with just a few moist crumbs, it’s done. If the toothpick is wet with batter, bake a few more minutes and test again.
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Can I double the recipe for a larger batch?
Absolutely! Doubling the recipe works well, but bake in two separate pans to ensure even cooking. Baking time may vary slightly, so keep an eye on your bread while baking.
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Is the glaze necessary?
The glaze adds an irresistible touch of sweetness and moisture, enhancing both flavor and presentation. However, the bread is delicious on its own if you prefer something simpler.
Final Thoughts
If you’re looking for a delightful, homey treat that captures the essence of fresh peaches in every bite, this Heavenly Peach Bread Recipe is a total winner. It’s perfect for sharing with friends or savoring on your own, and honestly, it’s hard not to fall in love with it. So why wait? Gather those juicy peaches and start baking a slice of sunshine today!
PrintHeavenly Peach Bread Recipe
Heavenly Peach Bread is a moist, tender loaf bursting with fresh diced peaches and topped with a sweet, fruity glaze. Perfect for breakfast, brunch, or a delightful snack, this quick bread merges the natural sweetness of peaches with a light vanilla-infused batter, finished with a luscious peach glaze that adds an extra layer of flavor and moisture.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 55-60 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Yield: 10 slices
- Category: Bread
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
For the Bread:
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup whole milk
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 2 cups fresh peaches, diced
For the Glaze:
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoons melted butter
- 1/3 cup finely diced peaches
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1-2 tablespoons heavy cream (if needed)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×5-inch loaf pan thoroughly to prevent sticking.
- Mix Wet Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the granulated sugar, whole milk, vegetable oil, large egg, and pure vanilla extract until the mixture is smooth and well combined.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt to ensure even distribution of leavening agents.
- Fold Dry into Wet Ingredients: Gently fold the dry ingredient mixture into the wet ingredients until just combined to avoid overmixing, which can make the bread tough.
- Add Diced Peaches: Carefully fold in the diced fresh peaches, distributing them evenly throughout the batter without breaking them up.
- Bake the Bread: Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan, smoothing the top lightly. Bake in the preheated oven for 55-60 minutes, or until the bread turns golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Cool the Bread: Allow the bread to cool in the loaf pan for 10 minutes. Then, remove it from the pan and place it on a wire rack to cool completely to room temperature before glazing.
- Prepare the Glaze: In a bowl, mix the powdered sugar, melted butter, finely diced peaches, and vanilla extract until smooth. Add 1-2 tablespoons of heavy cream if needed to achieve a spreadable consistency.
- Glaze the Bread: Spread the glaze evenly over the cooled bread. Let it set slightly before slicing and serving to enjoy the sweet peach flavor enhancement.
Notes
- Use fresh, ripe peaches for the best flavor and natural sweetness.
- Ensure not to overmix the batter to keep the bread tender and moist.
- Allow the bread to cool completely before glazing to prevent the glaze from melting.
- The glaze thickness can be adjusted by adding more or less heavy cream depending on your preference.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerate for up to a week.