My grandma used to make Orange Nut Bread every Christmas. I like to make it every year to think of her, and to use as a holiday food gift. The orange flavor and pecans are perfect paired with a nice cup of warm tea.
Preheat oven to 350F degrees. Gather your ingredients so that you have everything close at hand on the table or counter. Grease or spray 2 medium loaf pans or 4 mini loaf pans. Grate the orange zest. Chop the pecans.
Using a large mixing bowl, whisk to combine the all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, orange zest, baking powder, and salt.
Create a hole in the center and add to it the orange juice, whole milk, vegetable oil, and large egg. Mix on medium speed just until incorporated, 20-30 seconds. Fold in the chopped pecans.
Pour into prepared loaf pans. Bake in preheated oven 55-60 minutes until center of loaves are set and a toothpick inserted into the middle comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes, then remove from pans and finish cooling on a wire rack.
Prepare the Glaze
Make the glaze by whisking together the powdered sugar and orange juice in a small bowl until smooth. Drizzle glaze over warm loaves and sprinkle with colored sugar.