Cactus bread, also known as prickly pear bread, is a unique and delicious dessert that is popular in the Southwest United States. Made with the sweet fruit of the prickly pear cactus, this bread is a perfect treat for those who enjoy a sweet, fruity flavor with a little bit of tang.
If you’ve never made cactus bread before, don’t worry! It’s actually quite easy to prepare, and you don’t need any special equipment or ingredients. Here’s a simple recipe that you can try at home
Contents
Health Benefits
Rich in vitamins and minerals: Prickly pear fruit is a good source of vitamin C, vitamin B6, folate, and potassium, among other nutrients.
May help regulate blood sugar levels: Some studies have suggested that prickly pear fruit may help lower blood sugar levels in people with type 2 diabetes.
May help lower cholesterol levels: Prickly pear fruit may also have cholesterol-lowering effects, which could help reduce the risk of heart disease
PrintHow To Make Cactus Bread
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 12–16 slices 1x
Description
Cactus bread, also known as prickly pear bread, is a unique and delicious dessert made with the sweet fruit of the prickly pear cactus. Here’s a simple recipe that you can try at home
Ingredients
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 cup vegetable oil
- 3 eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup mashed prickly pear fruit (about 4–5 prickly pears)
- 1/2 cup chopped pecans
Equipment
- Mixing bowls
- Whisk or electric mixer
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Baking pan
- Cooking spray or butter
- Oven
- Toothpick
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9×13 inch baking pan with cooking spray or butter.
- In a large mixing bowl, beat together the sugar, vegetable oil, eggs, and vanilla extract until well combined.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring until just combined.
- Fold in the mashed prickly pear fruit and chopped pecans until evenly distributed throughout the batter.
- Pour the batter into the prepared baking pan and bake for 35-40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the bread comes out clean.
- Allow the bread to cool in the pan for a few minutes before slicing and serving.
Notes
- Be careful when handling the prickly pear fruit, as it has tiny thorns on its skin that can be painful if they get stuck in your skin.
- Make sure to properly clean and prepare the prickly pear fruit by removing the skin and seeds before using it in the recipe.
- Don’t overmix the batter, as this can make the bread tough and dense. Mix until just combined.
- It’s important to bake the bread until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, as underbaked bread may be too moist and dense.
- Let the bread cool for at least 5-10 minutes before slicing and serving, as this will allow it to set and firm up.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Calories: 288
- Sugar: 28g
- Sodium: 224mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 1g
- Carbohydrates: 43g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 31g
Keywords: How To Make Cactus Bread
Conclusions
cactus bread is a unique and delicious dessert that is easy to make at home with a few simple ingredients and precautions. With its sweet and moist texture, it’s sure to be a crowd-pleaser for any occasion. While it’s important to handle the prickly pear fruit with care and to properly clean and prepare it before using it in the recipe, the end result is well worth the effort. you can make a tasty cactus bread that is sure to impress your family and friends.