Pin it
This homemade cherry-almond bread features plump cherries and nutty almond flavors in a soft, juicy loaf. When you smell the sweet cherries mixed with almond scents, you'll think you bought it from a fancy French shop. Cut into it and you'll see bright chunks of fruit tucked into the light, golden inside.
Everyone at our baking group loves this bread. It's got that fancy European feel with its almond flavor and cherry bits, but it's easy enough for anyone to make at home.
Main Ingredients
- Greek yogurt: Stick with full-fat for the best moisture and texture
- Buttermilk: Makes the bread soft with a tiny bit of tang; mix milk with lemon juice if you don't have any
- Cherries: Fresh ones work great, but drained canned cherries are fine too
- Almond extract: Don't add too much - it gets stronger while baking
- Sliced almonds: Toast them first for better flavor
Pin it
Baking Steps
- Get Everything Ready
- Put your rack in the middle and warm the oven to 350°F. Put parchment in your pan with extra hanging out for handles. Spray the corners with baking spray. Put almonds on the bottom of the pan.
- Mix Wet Stuff
- Whip eggs until fluffy. Slowly add melted butter. Mix in yogurt, buttermilk and extracts until it's all smooth.
- Make The Batter
- Sift all dry stuff together. Add it to wet mix in three batches, just mixing enough. Your batter should be thick but still easy to pour.
- Put In Fruit and Nuts
- Roll cherries in cornstarch. Keep some for the top. Gently stir in fruit and nuts without mixing too much so the batter stays nice.
We tried lots of different ways, and coating the cherries with cornstarch turned out to be the trick for getting them spread evenly through the bread.
Morning Delight
There's nothing better than waking up to the smell of cherry and almond bread filling your kitchen.
Ways To Enjoy
Heat it up a little and add some butter - the warmth really brings out the gentle almond flavor.
You can make this quick bread for everyday snacks or fancy gatherings. Cherries and almonds go together so perfectly, making a comfort food that's still a bit fancy - perfect with breakfast or afternoon coffee.
Pin it
Frequently Asked Questions
- → Can I use frozen cherries instead of fresh?
- For sure! Just thaw them completely and drain any excess juice so the batter won’t get mushy.
- → What’s the best way to keep this loaf fresh?
- When it’s fully cooled, wrap it up snugly in plastic and store at room temperature.
- → How can I thicken the almond glaze?
- Simply mix in more powdered sugar bit by bit till it reaches the thickness you’re happy with.
- → Is there a quick buttermilk alternative?
- Absolutely! Stir half a tablespoon of lemon juice into half a cup of milk. After a few minutes, it’ll be ready.
- → How do I check if it’s fully baked?
- Poke a toothpick into the center. If it comes out clean, it’s done—usually after about 50-60 minutes in the oven.