You’ll love this cherished Southern sweet bread recipe that’s been passed down through generations. With simple pantry ingredients like butter, sugar, flour, and eggs, you can create a tender, cake-like bread that’s perfect for breakfast or dessert. Mix your wet and dry ingredients separately, combine them carefully, and bake at 350°F until golden brown. The rich, buttery flavor and delicate sweetness will show you why this family favorite has stood the test of time.
Quick Overview
- Mix 3 cups flour, 2 1/3 cups sugar, 2 sticks butter, 5 eggs, 1 1/4 cups milk, and flavorings for a rich, traditional bread.
- Preheat oven to 350°F, grease pan thoroughly, and cream butter and sugar until fluffy before adding eggs one at a time.
- Combine dry ingredients separately, then mix with wet ingredients until smooth for the perfect texture and consistency.
- The recipe yields a tender, buttery bread suitable for both breakfast and dessert, with a delicate sweetness.
- Store in freezer up to three months; serve with whipped cream, coffee, or tea for a traditional Southern treat.
History
While the exact origins of Southern sweet bread remain unclear, this beloved recipe has been passed down through generations of families across the American South.
You’ll find variations of this recipe in countless family cookbooks, often marked with loving notes and adjustments made over the years.
In the 1800s, sweet bread became popular at church gatherings and family celebrations, where it was often served as a special treat.
You can trace its roots to European pound cake recipes that settlers brought with them, though Southern cooks adapted it by adding their own touches, like almond extract and a lighter texture.
Today, you’ll still find this comforting bread at family reunions, holiday tables, and Sunday dinners throughout the South, where it continues to bring people together.
Recipe
Mama’s Southern Sweet Bread is a cherished family recipe that has been passed down through generations in the American South. This rich, buttery bread strikes the perfect balance between cake and traditional bread, featuring a tender crumb and delicate sweetness that makes it suitable for both dessert and breakfast.
The secret to this recipe’s success lies in the careful preparation of ingredients and the specific mixing method. Room temperature ingredients and multiple siftings of flour guarantee a light, airy texture, while the combination of vanilla and almond extracts creates a distinctive flavor profile that sets this sweet bread apart from ordinary pound cakes.
Ingredients:
- 3 cups all-purpose flour, sifted
- 2 1/3 cups sugar
- 2 sticks butter
- 5 large eggs
- 1 1/4 cups milk
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 1/2 teaspoons almond extract
- Yellow food coloring (optional)
Preheat the oven to 350°F and prepare your chosen pan with grease and flour. Begin by creaming butter and sugar until light and fluffy, then add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition.
In a separate bowl, combine the sifted flour, salt, and baking powder. Gradually incorporate the dry ingredients into the creamed mixture, alternating with milk. Add vanilla and almond extracts, and optional food coloring, mixing until well combined.
Pour the batter into the prepared pan and bake for 45-50 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
For best results, verify all ingredients are at room temperature before beginning. The multiple sifting of flour is vital for achieving the characteristic light texture.
When testing for doneness, the toothpick should come out completely clean, as underbaking will result in a dense, gummy center. Allow the bread to cool in the pan for 10 minutes before removing, and cool completely before slicing to prevent crumbling.
Cooking Steps
You’ll want to start by preheating your oven to 350°F and greasing your baking pan to guarantee nothing sticks.
Next, you’ll cream the butter and sugar until they’re light and fluffy, then carefully add your eggs one at a time while beating well after each addition.
Before mixing wet and dry ingredients together, you’ll need to combine your flour, salt, and baking powder in a separate bowl to make sure everything blends smoothly.
Step 1. Preheat to 350F
Setting the perfect temperature is your first vital step in creating this delectable Southern sweet bread. You’ll want to turn your oven on to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and let it fully preheat before you start mixing your ingredients.
This temperature is critical because it guarantees your bread will bake evenly and develop that perfectly golden crust while staying moist inside.
Don’t rush this step! Your oven needs about 10-15 minutes to reach the right temperature, even if it beeps sooner.
If you’re using a dark or glass pan, you might want to reduce the heat by 25 degrees to prevent over-browning.
While you’re waiting, it’s a great time to gather your ingredients and start preparing your baking pan.
Step 2. Grease Baking Pan First
The next vital step for perfect Southern sweet bread involves properly preparing your baking pan.
You’ll want to guarantee your bread releases easily and has a beautiful golden crust. For this recipe, you can use a 9 x 13 x 2-inch pan, Bundt pan, or loaf pan.
Here’s how to prepare your pan properly:
- Start with a clean, dry pan that’s completely free of any residue.
- Coat the entire inside surface with butter or shortening, making sure to get into all corners.
- Sprinkle flour lightly over the greased surface, then tap and rotate the pan to coat evenly.
- Turn the pan upside down and gently tap out any excess flour.
Don’t skip this vital step – it’ll make the difference between a perfect presentation and a stuck mess!
Step 3. Cream Until Light, Fluffy
With your pan properly prepared, it’s time to focus on one of the most important mixing techniques – creaming the butter and sugar together.
Start by adding your two sticks of softened butter and 2 1/3 cups of sugar to your mixing bowl.
Using an electric mixer (or a sturdy wooden spoon if you’re going old-school), beat these ingredients at medium speed until they become light in color and noticeably fluffy in texture.
This usually takes about 3-4 minutes. You’ll know you’ve done it right when the mixture looks almost whipped and has tiny air pockets throughout.
Don’t rush this step – proper creaming creates those lovely air bubbles that’ll help your bread rise beautifully and give it that perfect, tender crumb you’re looking for.
Step 4. Add Eggs One-By-One
Once you’ve achieved that perfect creamy butter-sugar mixture, it’s time to add your five room-temperature eggs. This step requires patience and attention to detail, but it’s vital for creating that signature texture that makes this sweet bread so special.
Here’s exactly how to incorporate those eggs:
- Crack each egg into a small bowl first to guarantee there aren’t any shell pieces.
- Add one egg to your butter-sugar mixture and beat for 30 seconds at medium speed.
- Wait until you can’t see any yellow streaks before adding the next egg.
- Scrape down the sides of your bowl between each addition.
Don’t rush this process – proper egg incorporation creates the light, tender crumb that makes this bread a family favorite.
Your batter should look smooth and silky between each egg addition.
Step 5. Combine Dry Ingredients Separately
Properly combining dry ingredients marks a crucial turning point in creating your sweet bread’s perfect texture.
In a separate mixing bowl, you’ll want to combine 3 cups of sifted flour, 1/2 teaspoon of salt, and 1 tablespoon of baking powder. Don’t skip the sifting step – it’s what gives your bread that wonderfully light texture!
Use a whisk to blend these ingredients together thoroughly. This extra step guarantees there won’t be any unwanted clumps of salt or baking powder in your finished bread.
You’re also making certain all these important ingredients are evenly distributed throughout your flour. When you’re done, the mixture should look uniform in color and texture.
Now you’re ready to gradually add this dry mixture to your creamed butter mixture.
Final Thoughts
This beloved Southern sweet bread recipe creates a delightful treat that’s stood the test of time in many families.
You’ll find it’s perfect for almost any occasion, from Sunday brunches to holiday gatherings. The versatility of this recipe means you can easily adapt it to your needs.
Here’s what makes this sweet bread special:
- You can bake it in different pans – Bundt, loaf, or sheet – for various presentations
- It’s perfect plain or dressed up with fruits and whipped cream
- The recipe uses simple ingredients you likely have in your pantry
- It freezes well for up to three months when wrapped properly
Whether you’re an experienced baker or just starting out, you’ll appreciate how this recipe combines simplicity with delicious results.
