Deliciously light and flaky peach pull-apart bread, with fresh peach and a vanilla sugar filling and glaze.
It's been crazy hot here the last while, so thank heavens for air conditioning, so I can still bake! This Vanilla Peach Pull-apart Bread was the first thing I baked with the first nice peaches that arrived in my kitchen.
For this bread, I slightly roasted off the peach sliced before adding them to the bread. The result after baking was perfectly soft and flavourful peaches, that still hold their shape well.
I never tire of pull-apart bread. It's wonderfully flaky and soft and I love just tearing off a thin slice for a nice treat. You can enjoy this lovely bread any time of day.
Ingredient Notes
Peaches: I like to roast off the fresh peaches a bit before adding to this bread. Just 15 minutes in a moderate oven is all it takes, then let them cool. This cooks off a bit of the moisture and softens them, and ensures that the peaches are lovely and soft, but still hold their shape in the finished bread.
Look for nice large, ripe but still firm peaches. I always peel my peaches with a nice sharp Y-shape peeler, which does the job quickly with very little waste of the lovely peach flesh.
Vanilla: I've pretty much abandoned pure vanilla extract in my kitchen and replaced it with Vanilla Bean Paste. The two can be used in the same measure, but you get the extra vanilla flavour and those lovely brown specks with the vanilla bean paste. If you don't have vanilla bean paste, just use a nice pure vanilla extract.
Cook's Notes
As this bread is enriched with eggs and butter, it is best enjoyed in the first day after baking. Well-wrapped, it will be fine into the second day as well. For longer, I'd suggest freezing to enjoy the rest later.
This bread may look done before it is done. It will need 35-40 minutes in the oven. Check it around the 30 minute mark and if it has browned enough, lay a piece of aluminum foil loosely over-top to prevent further browning and allow to cook longer.
I've baked my bread up in my 4x10-inch tea loaf pan. If you don't have that pan, you can use a 9x5-inch loaf pan instead. I've included some slightly different instructions for this size pan in the recipe notes.
Recipe
Vanilla Peach Pull-apart Bread
Ingredients
For the bread dough:
- 2 3/4 cups all purpose flour
- 1/4 cup white granulated sugar
- 2 1/4 tsp instant yeast or see , *Notes below for active dry yeast
- 1/2 tsp fine salt
- 1/3 cup milk
- 4 Tbsp butter
- 1/4 cup water
- 1 1/2 tsp vanilla bean paste, or pure vanilla extract
- 2 large eggs
For the vanilla sugar filling:
- 1/2 cup white granulated sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla bean paste, or pure vanilla extract
For assembling:
- 4 Tbsp. unsalted butter, melted
- 2 large fresh peaches, peeled and thinly sliced and roasted *see instructions
For the vanilla glaze:
- 1 cup confectioners’/icing sugar
- 1 Tbsp milk
- 1 tsp vanilla bean paste, or pure vanilla extract
Instructions
- Make the bread dough: Stir together 2 cups of the flour, 1/4 cup sugar, the yeast and salt in a large bowl or the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment.
- In a small saucepan, heat the milk and butter over low heat just until the butter is melted. Alternately, warm in the microwave for about 45 seconds. Remove from the heat and add the 1/4 cup water. Set aside until cooled to just warm (120 to 130°F for instant yeast or about 110F for active dry yeast), about 1 minute. Stir in the vanilla.
- Add the milk mixture to the flour mixture and, using a rubber spatula or the paddle attachment, mix until the dry ingredients are evenly moistened. With the mixer on low speed, add the eggs, one at a time, mixing just until incorporated after each addition. Stop the mixer and add the remaining 1/2 cup flour.
- If using a stand mixture, remove the paddle attachment and place the kneading hook on the mixture. Resume mixing on low speed, adding additional flour as needed to make a smooth, moist and just slightly sticky dough. If making by hand, knead with as little additional flour as needed until dough is smooth.
- Place the dough in a large, greased bowl, cover tightly with plastic wrap and let rise in a warm place until doubled in size, about 45 to 60 minutes.
- Roast the peaches: Preheat oven to 350F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Scatter peach slices evenly on pan. Roast in preheated oven for 15 minutes. Remove from oven and allow to cool on the baking sheet until completely cool.
- Make the vanilla sugar filling: While the dough is rising, in a small bowl, mix together the sugar and vanilla. Set aside. The sugar will become a wet sand consistency, so don’t be alarmed when you see this.
- Assemble the pull apart bread: Preheat the oven to 350°F with the rack in the centre of the oven. Spray a 4 x 10-inch tea loaf pan with cooking spray. **Alternately, use a 9x5-inch loaf pan and see Notes at bottom for cutting strips. Set on to a baking sheet and set aside.
- Place risen dough on a lightly floured surface and gently deflate the dough. Roll the dough into a 12-inch by 21-inch rectangle. Using a sharp knife and with the long side closest to you, cut the dough into 6 strips even strips about 3 1/2 inches wide from top to bottom, making 6 strips 3 1/2-inches wide and 12 inches long. Using a pastry brush, spread the 4 Tbsp melted butter generously over each of the strips of dough. Scatter all the vanilla sugar mixture evenly over-top of the strips as well.
- Gently layer all the strips on top of each other into one pile. Using a sharp knife, cut the pile into 6 even pieces, each about 2 inches, making 6 piles about 3 1/2 - 2 inches in size. Arrange the piles in a rowl in your prepared tea loaf pan. Scatter any vanilla sugar the was left behind on your work surface over-top of the loaf.
- Gently slide cooled, roasted peach slices in between the dough slices here and there across the loaf, about every two-three slices of dough and alternating from one side to the other (so the slices aren't all in the middle or in on one side).
- Cover the pan with plastic wrap and let the dough rise in a warm place until puffy and almost doubled in size, 30 to 60 minutes.
- Bake the loaf on top of a baking sheet, until golden brown and they sound hollow when tapped, about 35 minutes or until it reaches about 190-195F when tested with an instant read thermometer. If the top seems to be at risk of over-browning, cover the top loosely with a sheet of aluminum foil and continue cooking. Remove from oven and allow to cool in the pan for 15 minutes, then run a knife around the edge and remove loaf to a cooling rack set on top of a baking sheet. Allow to cool completely.
- Make the vanilla glaze: In a medium bowl combine the icing sugar with the milk and vanilla until the mixture is smooth and pours easily off a spoon. *You may need to add a touch more milk. Drizzle glaze over cooled loaf.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutritional information provided for general guidance only and should not be relied upon to make personal health decisions.
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Hi! I'm Jennifer, a home-cook of many years and a lifelong seeker of delicious food! I'm an equal opportunity eater. I enjoy eating all the foods!
Gen says
I just made a loaf yesterday and it turned out quite good. I skipped the icing and reduced a little bit of sugar. I also used canned peaches since I didn't have any fresh ones at home. I'll definitely make this bread again.very delicious. Thanks!
Jennifer says
So glad you enjoyed it! Thanks so much :)
Carol says
I cannot see how to find the pan on Amazon for the one you are recommending.There is no link that I can see. I really would like to find a great one and you would certainly be able to direct me in this. The correct pan is so important!
Jennifer says
Hi Carol, One like this one is good. Roughly 4x10-ish. https://www.amazon.ca/Norpro-3950-Nonstick-Bread-10-Inch/dp/B000SSV61G/ref=sr_1_3?dchild=1&keywords=tea+loaf+pan&qid=1594127638&sr=8-3
Ali Roberts says
Unbelievably tasty. The first time I made this my kids wouldn't let me cool it to ice as they wanted to pull it apart whilst still warm - and it was demolished! Am making again today in double quantities to give a loaf away - will need to hide them when the kids get back from school! The smell, texture and taste are all amazing and the sharing aspect is also exactly what you want from foodie experiences! LOVE it. Will try the apple and cinnamon one next!
Jennifer says
So glad to hear, Ali! I love the food experience of pull-apart breads, too :) Thanks!
Susan says
Absolutely delicious! As soon as I saw the post on Instagram, I knew I had to make this bread. Thanks so much for the recipe. As far as I'm concerned, you can't be beat when it comes to yeast bread recipes!
Tricia says
What a magnificent treat! I wouldn't have to worry about leftovers with this gorgeous loaf. Pass me a cup of tea and this beautiful bread and I could hurt myself - what a way to go! Pinned :)
Jennifer says
Thanks Tricia! I loved having this one on the counter to grab a slice off :)
Dawn - Girl Heart Food says
How light and fluffy and just simply DELISH do this look, Jennifer?!! Nothing like homemade :) Pinned!
Jennifer says
Thanks so much, Dawn :)
Leanne says
This bread looks so decadent and I'd love to have a slice with my morning coffee right now! I've never tried vanilla bean paste, but after reading your post, I think I might pick some up and try it in a recipe. Love the flavour of vanilla in baked goods!
Jennifer says
Thanks Leanne! The President's Choice Black Label Vanilla Bean Paste is great, if you want to give a try.
Kankana Saxena says
Pull apart bread are such fun to eat! My kid loves it and I often make it savory but now getting tempted to make a sweet version.
Jennifer says
Sweet versions are a nice treat and, like savory, are endlessly customizable :)
Miss Boots says
Wondering what brand of vanilla paste you would recommend?
Jennifer says
I generally use President's Choice Black Label Madagascar Bourbon Vanilla Bean Paste (Canadian, available at Loblaws affiliated stores). In case you're not Canadian, I also like the Nielsen-Massey brand Madagascar Bourbon Vanilla Bean Paste.
Mary Ann | The Beach House Kitchen says
You always inspire me when it comes to homemade breads Jennifer! This looks like another winner for those summer peaches!
Jennifer says
Thanks Mary Ann :) Bread making is my therapy :)
Milena says
The bread layers look so tempting on their own and with the roasted peach slices and the glaze I would find if very difficult to stop!
Jennifer says
Thanks Milena and yes, it's a little too easy to just pull off a slice everytime I pass by :)
[email protected] says
I love its tender crumb and sweet flavor of the vanilla and peach! This bread is heavenly!
Jennifer says
Thanks so much, Annie :)