Looking for an amazing cherry bread recipe? This maraschino cherry bread is wonderful as a breakfast treat and great for the holidays. Serve with your favorite coffee or tea for a delicious snack any time of day.
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If you love cherries, especially maraschino cherries, then you’ve got to try this cherry bread. Made with simple, jarred maraschino cherries, and flavored with almond extract, this sweet quick bread recipe is amazing for the holidays.
With chopped almonds mixed into the batter and topped with sliced almonds, this bread also offers a pleasant crunch.
What do I need to make cherry bread?
Here’s a quick reference shopping list of the ingredients you’ll need to make this cherry bread recipe. Note that I’ve linked my favorite ingredients to Target (affiliate links) where you can do a quick, same-day Target pick-up, drive-up or delivery order.
Cherry Bread Dry Ingredients:
- All purpose flour – all purpose flour is ideal for making this and most other quick bread recipes. You could also substitute gluten-free all purpose flour, if needed.
- Baking powder – baking powder is the necessary leavening needed to help the bread rise. Don’t leave this essential ingredient out.
- Salt – salt is necessary to enhance the flavor of the bread.
- Granulated sugar – granulated sugar is traditionally used in most quick bread recipes. If you’re looking to cut the calories and refined sugar, you could substitute the granulated sugar with Whole Earth Granular Monk Fruit sweetener.
Cherry Bread Wet Ingredients:
- Vegetable oil – vegetable oil is necessary for helping create a smooth batter and keeping the bread moist after being baked.
- Milk – milk is a necessary liquid for the batter. You can use any dairy or plant based milk you prefer.
- Egg – a large room temperature egg is ideal for this recipe. Eggs are a binding ingredient that helps the bread hold its shape after being sliced.
- Almond extract – almond extract is a wonderful flavor that is very complimentary with the cherries and almonds. If you don’t like almond extract you can substitute with vanilla extract.
- Jar of Maraschino cherries – you can purchase either stemmed or no-stem maraschino cherries. Most maraschino cherries are packaged in jars and found near the canned fruit at the grocery store.
- Sliced almonds – found in the baking aisle, sliced almonds are ideal for this recipe. The almonds are mixed into the batter and used as a topping for each loaf.
For exact ingredient amounts and full recipe instructions be sure to scroll down to the bottom of this post to the recipe card. Thanks!
How do I make cherry bread?
To make cherry bread, start by mixing wet and dry ingredients in separate bowls.
For wet ingredients, combine the sugar, oil, milk, egg and almond extract. Whisk together to combine.
For the dry ingredients whisk together the flour, baking powder and salt.
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients a few spoonful’s at a time. Whisk together until all ingredients are well incorporated and a smooth batter is achieved.
Can I add nuts to a cherry bread recipe?
Once the batter has been mixed together, add in the sliced cherries and chopped almonds. Almonds are ideal in cherry bread, as the flavors are very complimentary. Mix together until just incorporated.
Instead of almonds, you could also use chopped walnuts, pecans or even chopped macadamia nuts.
Divide the batter evenly between two 8 x 8″ loaf pans. For best results, line each pan with a sheet of parchment paper. This will allow easy removal of the bread after it has baked, and you won’t need to spray or grease pans. I use this technique with my Amish Cinnamon Bread recipe as well.
Top each loaf with the sliced almonds and bake.
FAQ’s about making a cherry bread recipe:
No, typically cherry bread is made as a quick bread, which needs no yeast.
Quick bread is a bread made without yeast. These are often sweet breads like banana, pumpkin, zucchini, apple or cherry bread. Cornbread is also considered a quick bread.
Yes, fresh cherries like sweet Bing cherries or Rainier cherries can be baked into cherry bread. Before baking, make sure to remove the stems and pits. Ideally, the cherries should be sliced or roughly chopped before being added to the batter.
Cherry bread can be made in a single 9u0022 loaf pan or divided into two 8u0022 loaf pans. The batter can also be poured into mini loaves. Be sure to adjust the baking time for different sizes of loaves.
What can I make with cherries?
Whether you’re using jarred maraschino cherries or fresh cherries from the produce section, you can make numerous recipe with cherries. Here are some of our favorite cherry recipes:
- Cherry Overnight Oats with Greek Yogurt
- Cherry Crisp with Almond Crumble
- Very Cherry Cupcakes
- Cherry Milkshake
- Cherry Smoothie
- Healthy Broccoli Salad with Apples and Cherries
- Cherry Cobbler with Cake Mix
- Cherry Jello Pretzel Salad
- Cream Cheese Cherry Scones
- Cherry Tart Recipe
Love an amazing quick bread recipe? Check out our most popular bread recipes:
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Cherry Bread
Equipment
- Loaf Pan This 9" non-stick loaf pan by Wilton is the perfect size for any banana bread recipe!
- Parchment Paper Sheets These pre-cut parchment paper sheets are super convenient and the perfect size for lining a loaf pan.
Ingredients
- 2 1/2 cup all purpose flour
- 3 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1/3 cup vegetable oil
- 1 cup milk
- 1 egg
- 2 teaspoons almond extract
- 1 (10 oz. jar) Maraschino Cherries drained and quartered
- 3/4 cup sliced almonds divided
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line (2) 8" loaf pans with parchment paper. (You can also use 1 large 9" pan, or 4-mini 6" loaf pans.) Set prepared pans aside.
- Combine dry ingredients in mixing bowl; flour, baking soda and salt. Set aside.
- In another bowl, combine the sugar, oil, milk, egg and almond extract. Whisk these wet ingredients together until smooth.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients, a few spoonful's at a time, to the wet ingredients. Using a whisk, mix together until all ingredients are completely incorporated and smooth.
- Chop 1/2 cup of the sliced almonds. Fold in the chopped almonds along with the cherries. Mix together until just incorporated. Pour batter into prepared loaf pan(s) and top the batter with the remaining 1/4 cup of sliced almonds.
- Bake at 350 for 45-48 minutes for the 8" pans. (50-55 min. for large 9" pan, and 40-45 minutes for the mini loafs.) To test for doneness; insert a toothpick into the center of the loaf. If it comes out clean (no crumbs sticking), the bread is done baking.
- Let loaves cool in the pan for 10 minutes. Remove from pan(s), then let cool completely on a cooling rack.
Julie @ Julie's Eats & Treats says
This bread looks amazing and delicious and perfect for this time of year!
Megan - The Emotional Baker says
Yum! This would be great to give as gifts. I love these flavors 🙂
Pamela @ Brooklyn Farm Girl says
Beautiful bread, would make any morning brighter to wake up to!
Gloria // Simply Gloria says
I am the exact same way when it comes to trying to convince myself that I’ll be starting earlier next year. And, every year (especially this year!) is creeping up super fast! All I gotta say is thank goodness for Amazon! (hehe)
Love this gorgeous sweet bread, Erin! Pinned (=
Catherine says
I just cannot believe how fast it has all gone by. I feel like I’ve been seeing Christmas decor since October but I’m still not near ready. This breakfast bread looks beautiful and comforting with a warm cup of tea. I love all the colors and the icing. Just stopping by from Best of the Wknd. Blessings, Catherine
delightful.e.made@gmail.com says
Warm wishes to you also, Catherine! ~Erin
Shannon {Cozy Country Living} says
Erin, these loaves are just beautiful! I have this pinned and I plan on giving a few as gifts:) Maraschino cherries and almonds are one of my favorite combinations!! Thanks so much for this awesome recipe!
delightful.e.made@gmail.com says
Thanks so much, Shannon! I took some into my son’s school for the Admin staff this morning as a Christmas/Thank-you-for-all-you-do gift. I paired the loaves with a couple boxes of K-cups, and put in a pretty Christmas box. Everyone was very grateful, and the loaves were half gone before I left the office! Merry Christmas, Shannon! ~Erin
Den lampereur says
Is it really all that baking soda?
Den lampereur says
Sorry meant baking powder.
delightful.e.made@gmail.com says
Hi Den! Yep, it is. Remember, this is a double-loaf recipe. But yes, 3 1/2 tsp. baking powder is correct. Hope you get to enjoy soon! ~Erin
Shara says
Do you think regular fresh/frozen cherries will work in place of the Maraschino Cherries?