Save it
This homemade cherry-almond loaf brings together bursts of cherries with nutty almond flavor in a soft, juicy bread. When you smell the sweet blend of cherries and almonds, you'll think some fancy bakery made it. Cut a slice and you'll see bits of bright fruit tucked into the soft, golden bread.
Everyone at our baking group can't get enough of this bread. The subtle almond taste and cherry chunks make you think of fancy European treats, but it's easy enough for anyone to make at home.
Main Ingredients
- Greek yogurt: Stick with whole milk version for best moisture
- Buttermilk: Makes everything soft with a hint of tang; mix milk with lemon juice if you don't have any
- Cherries: Both fresh and drained canned ones turn out great
- Almond extract: Go easy - it gets stronger as it bakes
- Sliced almonds: Brown them first for extra flavor
Save it
Baking Steps
- Set Everything Up
- Put rack in middle and warm oven to 350°F. Use parchment paper in pan with extra hanging out as handles. Spray any bare corners. Put almonds across pan bottom.
- Mix Liquid Stuff
- Whip eggs until fluffy. Slowly add melted butter. Mix in yogurt, buttermilk and extracts until everything's smooth.
- Create Your Batter
- Sift all dry stuff together. Add to wet mix in three batches just until mixed. You want thick batter that still moves.
- Put In Fruit and Nuts
- Coat cherries with cornstarch. Keep some for the top. Gently stir in fruit and nuts without overmixing to keep batter nice.
After trying lots of different ways, I found that tossing the cherries in cornstarch helps them stay put throughout the bread instead of sinking.
Morning Magic
The smell of cherry almond bread filling your kitchen in the morning just can't be beat.
Ways to Enjoy
It's amazing slightly warm with some butter on top - the warmth really brings out that almond smell.
This simple bread works for both everyday snacking and fancy get-togethers. Cherries and almonds go together so perfectly, making a comfy yet fancy treat that fits right in at breakfast or afternoon snack time.
Save it
Common Questions
- → Can I use frozen cherries instead of fresh?
- Yes! Just thaw the frozen cherries completely and pat them dry to get rid of extra moisture that might make your batter too wet.
- → How should I keep this bread fresh?
- After the bread cools down completely, wrap it up tight in plastic wrap and keep it on your counter at room temperature for best freshness.
- → How can I make the glaze thicker?
- Just mix in more powdered sugar a little at a time until you get the thickness you want for your glaze.
- → What can I use if I don't have buttermilk?
- You can easily make your own! Put 1/2 tablespoon of lemon juice in 1/2 cup of milk and wait a few minutes until it thickens up a bit.
- → When is the bread fully baked?
- Just poke the middle with a toothpick. If it comes out without wet batter, your bread is done—it usually takes between 50-60 minutes.