Description
Cherry Almond Bread is a tender quick bread filled with chopped cherries and a smooth almond note
The loaf bakes with a soft crumb and a naturally pink tint from cherry juice
A simple cherry almond glaze finishes the bread with a light sweetness and soft shine
The bread slices cleanly and stays moist for several days thanks to the fruit content
Ingredients
For the cherry bread
1 ten ounce jar maraschino cherries divided
1 3/4 cups plus 2 tablespoons all purpose flour divided
1 cup granulated sugar
2 teaspoons baking powder
pinch of salt
2 large eggs
1/2 cup canola or vegetable oil
cherry juice reserve 1/4 cup for the glaze
1 teaspoon almond flavor
1 teaspoon alcohol free vanilla flavor such as Alcohol Free Simply Organic Vanilla or Watkins Clear Vanilla Flavor
For the cherry almond glaze
1/4 cup reserved cherry juice
1 teaspoon almond flavor
about 1 1/2 cups confectioners sugar
Instructions
1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and coat two 8 by 4 inch loaf pans with floured cooking spray or grease and flour them
2. Remove the cherries from the jar place them on a cutting board chop them roughly and sprinkle with 2 tablespoons flour tossing to coat
3. Reserve 1/4 cup of the cherry juice for the glaze and set aside the remaining juice for the batter
4. In a large bowl combine 1 3/4 cups flour granulated sugar baking powder and a pinch of salt whisking until even
5. In a separate bowl whisk eggs oil the cherry juice except the reserved amount almond flavor and alcohol free vanilla flavor until blended
6. Pour the wet ingredients over the dry mixture and stir gently until combined the batter will be thick
7. Fold in the chopped cherries lightly so they stay suspended in the batter
8. Divide the batter between the prepared pans smooth the tops and place a few cherry pieces on top for appearance
9. Bake for about 40 minutes until the loaves rise are springy and a toothpick comes out clean or with light crumbs
10. Cool the bread in the pans on a rack for 15 minutes then remove the loaves and cool completely
11. Make the glaze by whisking the reserved cherry juice almond flavor and confectioners sugar until smooth adding sugar as needed for thickness
12. Drizzle or spread the glaze over the cooled bread before serving
Notes
Cherry Almond Bread keeps well for up to 5 days in an airtight container at room temperature or up to 6 months in the freezer
Glaze the bread only when ready to serve especially if freezing or storing long term
Cherries coated in flour stay more evenly distributed through the loaf during baking
Cool the bread completely before slicing to maintain a clean crumb and prevent breaking
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Bread
- Method: Oven bake
- Cuisine: American