Description
Mardi Gras Streusel Bread is a festive, flavorful loaf that combines buttery sweetness with citrus zest, topped with crunchy streusel for a delightful treat.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 cups all-purpose flour (or half whole-wheat pastry flour)
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, room temperature (cold for streusel)
- 2 large eggs, room temperature
- 1 cup buttermilk (or plain yogurt)
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 tablespoons finely grated orange zest
- 1/2 cup cold butter, cut into cubes (for streusel)
- 3/4 cup toasted chopped pecans (or walnuts)
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon (for streusel)
- Pinch of salt (for streusel)
- Optional: splash of orange liqueur, pinch of cinnamon, or finely chopped herbs like rosemary or thyme
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a standard loaf pan, lining it with parchment paper.
- For the streusel, combine brown sugar, cold butter, chopped nuts, cinnamon, and salt. Rub butter into dry ingredients until pea-sized crumbs form; chill.
- In a bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
- In another bowl, beat the butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs one at a time, then stir in vanilla and orange zest.
- Alternate adding dry ingredients and buttermilk to the butter mixture, starting and ending with the dry ingredients. Fold in herbs if desired.
- Spoon half the batter into the prepared pan and smooth it, then scatter half of the streusel on top. Add the remaining batter and top with the remaining streusel.
- Bake for 50-60 minutes, checking for doneness with a toothpick starting at 45 minutes. Cool in the pan for 10 minutes before transferring to a wire rack.
- Optional: Drizzle a glaze made of powdered sugar and orange juice over the cooled loaf.
Notes
For an extra festive finish, add a simple glaze and toasted nuts on top. Store wrapped tightly for up to three days or refrigerate for a week.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 60 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 15g
- Sodium: 200mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 30mg
Keywords: Mardi Gras, Streusel Bread, Quick Bread, Festive Recipes
