Description
This delightful Cherry Bread is a moist, flavorful loaf studded with chopped maraschino cherries and infused with almond extract. Baked to a golden perfection and topped with a sweet cherry glaze, it’s perfect for breakfast, dessert, or an anytime treat.
Ingredients
Scale
Batter Ingredients
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1/2 cup canola oil (or vegetable oil)
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon almond extract
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 2 jars (20 ounces) maraschino cherries, drained and chopped
Glaze Ingredients
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoons melted butter
- 1/3 cup cherry juice (reserved from cherries)
- 1 teaspoon almond extract
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Pan: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9″x5″ loaf pan to ensure the bread doesn’t stick during baking.
- Mix Wet Ingredients: In a medium bowl, combine the granulated sugar, milk, canola oil, egg, and 1 teaspoon almond extract. Whisk together until evenly blended.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, mix together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and stir gently until just combined to avoid overmixing.
- Add Cherries: Carefully fold in the chopped maraschino cherries, distributing them evenly throughout the batter without crushing them.
- Bake the Bread: Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan and place it in the preheated oven. Bake for 50-60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. After baking, let the bread cool in the pan for 10 minutes before transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Prepare the Glaze: While the bread cools, whisk together the powdered sugar, melted butter, reserved cherry juice, and 1 teaspoon almond extract until the glaze is smooth and pourable.
- Glaze the Bread: Once the bread has cooled completely, drizzle the cherry glaze evenly over the top for a sweet and tangy finish.
Notes
- Ensure you do not overmix the batter to keep the bread tender.
- Drain cherries well to prevent excess moisture in the batter.
- The glaze adds sweetness and moisture—allow the bread to cool fully before glazing to prevent melting.
- You can substitute almond extract with vanilla extract if almond flavor is not preferred.
- Store the cherry bread in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerate to extend freshness.
