If you adore the delightful combination of fruity sweetness and moist, tender crumb, you are going to absolutely fall in love with this Cherry Bread with Cherry Glaze Recipe. This loaf offers a perfect balance of fluffy texture dotted with juicy, vibrant maraschino cherries, all topped off with a luscious cherry glaze that brings an irresistible burst of flavor in every bite. Whether you’re baking for a cozy morning breakfast, a cheerful afternoon snack, or a charming dessert, this recipe turns simple ingredients into a show-stopping treat that’s sure to impress.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Preparing this Cherry Bread with Cherry Glaze Recipe is wonderfully straightforward thanks to a handful of essential ingredients. Each component plays a vital role: from the soft all-purpose flour providing structure to the almond extract adding a delicate aromatic touch, and of course, the stars of the show—the maraschino cherries that bring vibrant color and juicy bursts throughout the bread.
- Granulated sugar: Sweetens the batter while helping give the bread a tender crumb.
- Milk: Adds moisture and softness, ensuring a rich texture.
- Canola oil (or vegetable oil): Keeps the bread moist and adds a mild flavor that lets the cherries shine.
- Large egg: Acts as a binding agent and contributes to a light, airy texture.
- Almond extract: Infuses a lovely nutty aroma that complements the cherries beautifully.
- All-purpose flour: The foundation that gives the bread structure and body.
- Baking powder: Helps the bread rise and stay fluffy.
- Baking soda: Works with the acidic ingredients for perfect leavening.
- Salt: Enhances all flavors and balances sweetness.
- Maraschino cherries: Provide juicy sweetness and those delightful pops of red throughout.
- Powdered sugar: Sweetens and thickens the cherry glaze to perfection.
- Melted butter: Adds richness to the glaze and smooth texture.
- Cherry juice (reserved from cherries): Brings bright, concentrated cherry flavor to the glaze.
How to Make Cherry Bread with Cherry Glaze Recipe
Step 1: Prepare Your Oven and Pan
First things first, set your oven to a cozy 350°F (175°C). While it’s warming up, generously grease and flour a 9-by-5-inch loaf pan. This ensures your bread won’t stick and comes out effortlessly after baking. Trust me, this little prep makes a big difference in presentation and ease!
Step 2: Combine the Wet Ingredients
In a medium-sized bowl, mix granulated sugar, milk, canola oil, the large egg, and the almond extract. This mixture is the flavorful base that will give your bread its moist and tender personality. Whisk everything together until smooth, creating the perfect canvas for your delicious loaf.
Step 3: Mix the Dry Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk together all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. These dry ingredients are key to giving your bread its rise and structure. Once combined, gradually add them to the wet mixture, stirring until just combined—resist the urge to overmix, as that can make your bread tough.
Step 4: Fold in the Chopped Cherries
Now for the fun part: gently folding in those gorgeous, chopped maraschino cherries. By folding instead of stirring vigorously, you keep the batter light and ensure the cherries stay wonderfully distributed without breaking apart.
Step 5: Bake to Perfection
Pour your luscious batter into the prepared loaf pan. Pop it in the oven and bake for 50 to 60 minutes. You’ll know it’s done when a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Let the bread cool in the pan for about 10 minutes to set, then carefully transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely before glazing.
Step 6: Whip Up the Cherry Glaze
While your bread cools, mix together powdered sugar, melted butter, cherry juice reserved from your maraschino cherries, and another splash of almond extract. Whisk until the glaze is silky smooth and ready to crown your loaf with a beautiful, flavorful finish.
Step 7: Glaze and Serve
Once the bread has cooled completely, drizzle the cherry glaze in elegant swoops over the top. This glaze adds sweetness and a delightful shine while enhancing the cherry flavor. Let the glaze set for a few minutes, then slice and enjoy every bite of your homemade masterpiece.
How to Serve Cherry Bread with Cherry Glaze Recipe
Garnishes
A sprinkle of toasted almonds or a few whole maraschino cherries on top of the glaze not only looks stunning but adds wonderful texture contrasts and extra eye-catching appeal that makes your bread ready for company or any special occasion.
Side Dishes
Pairing your cherry bread with a dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream elevates it to decadent dessert territory. For breakfast or brunch, it’s lovely alongside a cup of freshly brewed coffee or a creamy latte, turning your table into a cozy café vibe.
Creative Ways to Present
Try serving individual slices stacked with layers of cream cheese frosting and fresh cherries for a quick and unexpected cherry bread parfait. Or slice it thick, lightly toast, and spread with butter and jam for a delightful revival of classic comfort food.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
This Cherry Bread with Cherry Glaze Recipe stays delicious for several days when stored properly. Keep it wrapped tightly in plastic wrap or stored in an airtight container at room temperature to maintain its moist texture and fresh flavor.
Freezing
If you want to save some for later, slice the bread before freezing. Wrap individual slices or the whole loaf tightly in plastic wrap, followed by a layer of foil. Freeze for up to three months. Thaw slices at room temperature or gently warm them in a toaster oven for a freshly baked taste.
Reheating
To bring your cherry bread back to life, warm slices in the microwave for about 15 seconds or toast lightly until just heated through. The glaze will soften nicely, making each bite feel freshly baked and irresistible.
FAQs
Can I use fresh cherries instead of maraschino cherries?
Absolutely! Fresh cherries will add a natural tartness and juiciness, though the color and sweetness will be less intense than maraschino cherries. Just make sure to pit and chop them well before folding them in.
Is there a way to make this recipe gluten-free?
Yes! Substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free baking blend designed for 1:1 replacement. Keep an eye on the texture, as gluten-free flour can affect moistness, but the almond extract and cherries will still shine.
Can I make the glaze without butter?
Sure thing. You can omit the melted butter and replace it with a splash of milk or cherry juice, though the glaze will be a bit thinner and less rich. Adjust the powdered sugar to achieve your desired consistency.
What if I don’t have almond extract?
You can substitute vanilla extract in equal parts, which will still give your bread a lovely aroma. Almond extract adds a unique nutty note, but vanilla creates a nice warm flavor too.
How long will this cherry bread stay fresh?
When stored properly at room temperature, your cherry bread will stay fresh and tasty for about 3 to 4 days. After that, it’s best to refrigerate or freeze to preserve moisture and flavor.
Final Thoughts
This Cherry Bread with Cherry Glaze Recipe is such a heartfelt treat to bake and share. It turns simple pantry staples into a moist, flavorful loaf bursting with sweet cherries and an irresistible glaze that will brighten any day. Give it a try and watch it become a favorite you’ll come back to again and again – your taste buds will thank you!
Print
Cherry Bread with Cherry Glaze Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 55 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
- Yield: 10 servings
- Category: Bread
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
This Cherry Bread recipe is a moist and flavorful loaf featuring maraschino cherries and a hint of almond extract. Topped with a sweet cherry glaze, it’s the perfect treat for breakfast, snacks, or dessert. Easy to prepare and baked to golden perfection, this bread combines fruity sweetness with a tender crumb.
Ingredients
For the Bread
- 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
For the Glaze
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoons melted butter
- 1/3 cup cherry juice (reserved from cherries)
- 1 teaspoon almond extract
Instructions
- Preheat and prepare the pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and lightly flour a 9″x5″ loaf pan to prevent sticking and ensure easy removal of the bread.
- Mix wet ingredients: In a medium bowl, combine granulated sugar, milk, canola (or vegetable) oil, the large egg, and 1 teaspoon of almond extract. Mix until smooth and well blended.
- Combine dry ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt to ensure even distribution of the leavening agents.
- Incorporate dry into wet: Gradually add the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients, stirring gently until just combined to avoid overmixing and a dense bread texture.
- Add cherries: Carefully fold the chopped maraschino cherries into the batter, distributing them evenly without breaking the fruit too much.
- Bake the bread: Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan. Place in the oven and bake for 50 to 60 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. After baking, allow the bread to cool in the pan for 10 minutes.
- Cool on rack: Remove the loaf from the pan carefully and transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely before glazing.
- Make the glaze: Whisk together the powdered sugar, melted butter, reserved cherry juice, and 1 teaspoon almond extract until smooth and well combined.
- Glaze the bread: Once the bread has fully cooled, drizzle the glaze evenly over the top to add extra sweetness and cherry flavor.
Notes
- Do not overmix the batter after combining wet and dry ingredients to keep the bread tender.
- Make sure the bread is completely cool before glazing to prevent the glaze from melting and running off.
- Reserve the cherry juice from the jars for the glaze to enhance cherry flavor.
- If you prefer, substitute almond extract with vanilla extract for a different flavor.
- Store the bread covered at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerate to extend freshness.
