Sweet Soft Cherry Bread with Cherry-Almond Glaze

This delightful Sweet Soft Cherry Bread with Cherry-Almond Glaze is a perfect treat for breakfast, brunch, or dessert. The bread is tender and moist, bursting with juicy maraschino cherries, and topped with a luscious cherry-almond glaze that adds the perfect touch of sweetness. The almond extract enhances the cherry flavor, making each bite a delightful experience.

Ingredients

For the Cherry Bread:

• 1 jar (10 ounces) maraschino cherries, divided
• 1 ¾ cup + 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour, divided
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• Pinch of salt (optional)
• 2 large eggs
• ½ cup canola or vegetable oil
• ¼ cup reserved cherry juice (from the jar)
• 1 teaspoon almond extract
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

For the Cherry-Almond Glaze:

• ¼ cup reserved cherry juice
• 1 teaspoon almond extract
• About 1 ½ cups confectioners’ sugar (or more, as needed for desired consistency)

Instructions

Make the Cherry Bread:

1. Preheat Oven:

• Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Spray two 8×4-inch loaf pans with floured cooking spray or lightly grease and flour the pans. (You can also use one 9×5 pan, 4 mini loaf pans, or muffin tins, adjusting baking time accordingly.)

1. Prepare Cherries:

• Remove the cherries from the jar and place them on a cutting board. Roughly chop the cherries.
• Sprinkle the chopped cherries with 2 tablespoons of flour and toss to coat evenly (this prevents them from sinking during baking). Set aside. Reserve ¼ cup of the cherry juice from the jar for the glaze.

1. Mix Dry Ingredients:

• In a large mixing bowl, combine 1 ¾ cups flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt (if using). Whisk to blend.

1. Mix Wet Ingredients:

• In a small mixing bowl or large measuring cup, combine the eggs, oil, remaining cherry juice (except for the reserved ¼ cup), almond extract, and vanilla extract. Whisk until well combined.

1. Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients:

• Pour the wet mixture into the dry ingredients and stir until just combined. The batter will be thick. Gently fold in the chopped cherries.

1. Bake the Bread:

• Divide the batter evenly between the prepared loaf pans. Smooth the tops with a spatula and place a few cherry pieces on top for decoration.
• Bake for about 40 minutes, or until the bread is domed, set, and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs (but no raw batter).
• Allow the bread to cool in the pans on a wire rack for about 15 minutes before removing it from the pans. Let it cool completely on the wire rack.

Make the Cherry-Almond Glaze:

7. Prepare the Glaze:

• In a medium bowl, combine the reserved ¼ cup cherry juice, almond extract, and about 1 cup confectioners’ sugar. Whisk until smooth and satiny. Add more sugar if needed to reach your desired consistency.

7. Glaze the Bread:

• Once the bread has cooled, drizzle the glaze generously over the top. For extra indulgence, you can spread the glaze like butter on the interior slices.

Tips

• Even Baking: Ensure the cherries are well coated in flour to prevent them from sinking to the bottom of the loaf during baking.
• Batter Consistency: The batter will be thick, which is normal. Avoid overmixing to keep the bread tender.
• Customizing: You can experiment with adding a handful of nuts or chocolate chips to the batter for added texture and flavor.
• Serving: This bread is delicious on its own or with a smear of butter. It pairs wonderfully with a cup of tea or coffee.
• Storage: Store any leftover bread in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or in the fridge for up to a week. The bread also freezes well for up to 2 months; just thaw it overnight in the refrigerator before serving.

Enjoy this delightful Sweet Soft Cherry Bread with Cherry-Almond Glaze as a sweet treat any time of day!