Heavenly Peach Bread Recipe

Heavenly Peach Bread is a sweet, tender quick bread that truly captures the golden, juicy essence of summer fruit in every slice. With its moist crumb full of vibrant peach flavor and a lush glaze studded with more fresh peaches, this recipe brightens any table, whether you’re serving it as a breakfast treat or an irresistible afternoon snack. From the moment you mix the batter to that very first bite, every step celebrates the comforting warmth and homey goodness that only homemade quick bread can bring.

Ingredients You’ll Need

This scrumptious bread comes together with simple pantry staples and a glorious amount of fresh peaches. Each ingredient plays a key role, from adding sweetness and moisture to creating a soft crumb and glossy finish, ensuring every bite of Heavenly Peach Bread is truly unforgettable.

• Granulated sugar: Gives the bread enough sweetness to highlight the natural flavor of the peaches without overpowering them.
• Whole milk: Adds richness and creates a moist crumb that almost melts in your mouth.
• Vegetable oil: Keeps the bread extra soft and tender, while making it easy to mix.
• Large egg: Binds everything together for a cohesive, pillow-soft quick bread.
• Pure vanilla extract: Deepens the flavor profile and brings out the peachy notes.
• All-purpose flour: The sturdy structure that gives the bread its classic, sliceable texture.
• Baking powder: Gently lifts and leavens the loaf, giving it that perfect rise.
• Salt: Just a pinch balances the sweetness and enhances all the flavors.
• Fresh peaches, diced: The star ingredient, adding juicy brightness plus little bursts of flavor in every bite.
• Powdered sugar: The base of that dreamy peach glaze, melting into a silky finish over the loaf.
• Melted butter: Makes the glaze ultra-luxurious with a subtle rich note.
• Finely diced peaches: Blends right into the glaze for a pop of color and juicy sweetness.
• Vanilla extract (for glaze): Infuses the glaze with sweet, floral warmth.
• Heavy cream (optional): Just a splash, to thin the glaze for perfect drizzling consistency.

How to Make Heavenly Peach Bread

Step 1: Prep Your Pan and Peaches

Start by preheating your oven to 350°F. Give your 9×5-inch loaf pan a generous coating of nonstick spray or a slick of butter so your Heavenly Peach Bread releases beautifully. Dice up those luscious fresh peaches, setting aside some for the bread itself and a bit more for the glaze, then take a moment to admire their gorgeous color—they really set the stage for this recipe!

Step 2: Mix Wet Ingredients

In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together the granulated sugar, whole milk, vegetable oil, large egg, and rich vanilla extract. Give it a good whisk until everything is well-blended and nice and smooth. This liquid gold is the key to your bread’s moist, flavorful base.

Step 3: Combine Dry Ingredients

In a separate bowl, whisk together your all-purpose flour, fluffy baking powder, and a touch of salt. This may seem simple, but mixing the dry ingredients alone ensures your Heavenly Peach Bread rises evenly and bakes up tender with just the right structure.

Step 4: Fold and Combine

Pour the dry mixture gently into your wet ingredients. Grab a spatula and fold until just combined—no need to overmix! A few streaks of flour are absolutely fine. This is the secret to keeping your bread soft and tender rather than dense.

Step 5: Add the Peaches

Now the best part: introduce your juicy diced peaches to the batter. Gently fold them in, taking care not to smash the pieces. You want those pops of peachy flavor shining through with every forkful.

Step 6: Bake to Perfection

Pour your gorgeous peach-studded batter into the prepared pan, smoothing the top. Slide it into the oven and bake for 55–60 minutes—your kitchen will smell amazing! The loaf is ready when it’s golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean or with just a moist crumb or two.

Step 7: Cool It Down

Let the bread cool in its pan for 10 minutes (this helps it set and prevents breakage), then carefully turn it out onto a wire rack to cool completely. A little patience here goes a long way: you don’t want to glaze the bread while it’s still warm or the glaze will slide right off.

Step 8: Make the Glaze

While your loaf is cooling, whip up the heavenly glaze. Stir together the powdered sugar, melted butter, finely diced peaches, and vanilla extract until smooth. Add heavy cream a tablespoon at a time if you crave a thinner glaze that’s perfectly pourable.

Step 9: Glaze and Serve

Once your Heavenly Peach Bread is completely cool, spread that luscious peach glaze generously over the top. Let it drip decadently down the sides for a bakery-worthy look. Then slice and get ready to swoon over the juiciest, most aromatic peach quick bread you’ve ever tasted!

How to Serve Heavenly Peach Bread

Garnishes

Dress up your slices with a sprinkling of fresh peach chunks, a dusting of powdered sugar, or even a little lemon zest to amp up the brightness. For a truly special touch, a dollop of softly whipped cream or a few toasted almond slivers can transform a simple piece of Heavenly Peach Bread into a stunning dessert plate.

Side Dishes

This bread is delightful all by itself, but it also shines alongside a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream or creamy Greek yogurt for brunch. If you’re serving breakfast for guests, pair it with crisp bacon or a fresh fruit salad to balance the sweetness. A mug of hot coffee or an iced black tea creates the perfect, cozy counterpoint to the bread’s fruity flavor.

Creative Ways to Present

Cut your Heavenly Peach Bread into delicate tea sandwiches for a charming afternoon snack, or cube it and layer with whipped cream and berries to make a summer trifle. Try toasting a thick slice and spreading it with a little honey butter for a rustic treat, or stack slices in a bread basket as a cheerful centerpiece for brunch or showers.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Once cooled and glazed, Heavenly Peach Bread can be kept at room temperature for up to two days, covered tightly with plastic wrap or stored in an airtight container. The glaze keeps things moist, and the flavor actually gets even better on day two as the bread absorbs all that peachy goodness.

Freezing

If you want to save some for later, wrap slices or the whole loaf (unglazed is best for freezing) snugly in plastic wrap and then foil. A frozen loaf will keep well for up to three months. Thaw overnight on the counter, and glaze just before serving for the freshest taste and feel.

Reheating

To recapture that fresh-baked feeling, warm a slice in the microwave for about 10–15 seconds or toast it lightly in the oven. If you’re reheating a whole loaf, wrap it in foil and bake at 300°F until just warmed through. Add the glaze after reheating for the ultimate bakery-style finish.

FAQs

Can I use canned or frozen peaches for this?

Absolutely! While fresh peaches are ideal for Heavenly Peach Bread, canned or thawed frozen peaches work well, too. Just be sure to drain canned peaches and pat everything dry so excess moisture doesn’t make the bread too dense.

Is it possible to make this bread dairy-free?

Yes! Swap out the whole milk for your favorite non-dairy milk (like almond or oat), and use a plant-based butter in the glaze. You’ll still get a moist, flavorful loaf with all the peachy punch you love.

Can I double the recipe for a crowd?

Certainly. You can double the ingredients and bake in two loaf pans, or even use a 9×13-inch baking dish for a slab-style cake. Just keep an eye on the bake time—shallower pans may cook a bit faster, so start checking at 35 minutes.

What’s the secret to a really tender crumb?

The key is to avoid overmixing once you combine the dry and wet ingredients—just fold gently until you see no big pockets of flour. This, along with the generous use of oil and fresh peaches, gives Heavenly Peach Bread its ultra-soft crumb.

How do I keep the glaze from getting runny?

Wait until the bread is fully cooled before glazing. If your glaze seems thin, add extra powdered sugar a spoonful at a time. For a thicker, more opaque finish, use just enough cream or liquid peach juice to reach the texture you like.

Final Thoughts

I can’t recommend this Heavenly Peach Bread enough—every slice is a moist, golden celebration of summer flavors you’ll crave all year long. Whether you’re new to baking or a seasoned pro, let the sweet aroma and luscious crumb bring a little magic to your kitchen. Once you try it, it’ll be a go-to favorite for seasons to come!

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