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
Scale
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.
