Sweet Cherry Quick Bread

 Every couple of years sweet cherries are in abundance, and their prices go way low.  This summer their prices have been below $1 per pound.  And we have enjoyed eating them quite frequently.  I have also put several bags in the freezer for us to have during the winter months.  But sometimes, you need something new and different.  I am not a big fan of the usual breakfast items.  I love a slice of quick bread anytime of day for a fast snack.  So, with cherries in season and at a great price, I decided to make a sweet cherry quick bread.  It's very easy, and all the ingredients were already in the pantry.  Let me show you how I did it.

You will need:
1 cup of cherries, coarsely chopped
1/2 cup of softened butter
1 cup sugar
3 eggs
1 teas of vanilla extract
2 teas. of almond extract
2 cups flour
1/2 teas salt
1 teas baking powder
1 teas baking soda
1 cup plain Greek yogurt
2 cups powdered sugar
1/4 cup milk

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.  Spray a bread loaf pan, (5 X 9), with baking spray.

Rinse, pit, and chop your cherries.  You will need 1 cup of chopped cherries.

If you don't have fresh cherries, you could always substitute frozen cherries that have been thawed.  But fresh will taste better.

In a large bowl, cream together the butter and sugar.

Add in the eggs, vanilla extract, and 1 teaspoon of almond extract, (you will use the other teaspoon for the glaze, later).  Continue mixing until smooth and everything is incorporated well.

In a smaller bowl, combine the flour, salt, baking powder, and baking soda.  Whisk together well to combine and break up any clumps.

Carefully add the flour mixture to the butter mixture.

Stir in the yogurt, until completely incorporated.

Fold in the cherries.

Spoon the batter into the greased loaf pan.  Bake in pre-heated 350 degree oven for about 50 minutes, (until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean).

 Allow the bread to cool on a baking rack for 15 minutes, then remove from pan.

Allow to cool completely.

 In a small bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar, remaining 1 teaspoon of almond extract, and milk.

Once the bread has cooled completely, pour the glaze over the bread.  Your bread is now ready to slice and serve.

I am going to put a few slivered almonds on top, so people will know there is an almond flavor in this bread.

Notice how nicely the bread has suspended the cherries throughout.  And notice how the layers are light and fluffy.

WOW - this bread is so moist, and you get that very slight tang from the yogurt, the sweetness from the cherries, and it's all tied together with the almond flavor.  This is wonderful.  And it keeps so well, without being wrapped.  Breakfast is going to be so good this week.

Get some sweet cherries, before they are all gone, and make a loaf for your family.

Enjoy !