Classic Cherry Bread Recipe

This Classic Cherry Bread is a sweet, moist, and fruity bread perfect for breakfast, snacks, or dessert. The combination of juicy cherries and a soft, buttery bread dough makes for a delicious treat that’s easy to bake and even easier to enjoy. This simple recipe is great for any occasion, whether it’s a cozy weekend morning or a holiday gathering.

Ingredients:

2 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup granulated sugar
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp salt
2 large eggs
1/2 cup unsalted butter (melted)
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/2 cup buttermilk (or substitute with regular milk)
1 1/2 cups fresh or frozen cherries (pitted and chopped, or you can use cherry preserves)
1/2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans (optional, for added crunch)
1/4 cup granulated sugar (for topping, optional)

Instructions:

1. Preheat the Oven:

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9×5-inch loaf pan or line it with parchment paper.

2. Mix Dry Ingredients:

In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. This will be your dry mixture.

3. Mix Wet Ingredients:

In a separate bowl, beat together the eggs, melted butter, vanilla extract, and buttermilk. Ensure everything is well combined.

4. Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients:

Slowly add the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients, stirring until just combined. Be careful not to overmix the batter.

5. Add Cherries and Nuts:

Gently fold in the chopped cherries and nuts (if using). Be careful not to break up the cherries too much.

6. Pour the Batter into the Pan:

Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan and spread it out evenly. Sprinkle the top with a little bit of granulated sugar if you’d like a slightly sweet, crunchy topping.

7. Bake:

Bake the bread in the preheated oven for 60-70 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean (or with a few moist crumbs). If the bread starts to brown too much on top, you can cover it with aluminum foil halfway through the baking time.

8. Cool and Serve:

Once the bread is done baking, let it cool in the pan for about 10 minutes before transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely. Slice and serve!

Tips:

Cherries: If using frozen cherries, make sure to thaw and drain them to prevent excess moisture in the batter. You can also use maraschino cherries or dried cherries, though fresh or frozen will give the best flavor and texture.
Add-ins: Feel free to add other ingredients such as chocolate chips, dried fruits, or cinnamon for extra flavor.
Storage: Store the bread in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, or refrigerate it for up to a week. You can also freeze the bread for up to 3 months.