Cherry Almond Loaf Cake (Printable)

Moist loaf with juicy cherries and fragrant almonds for a simple, elegant sweet treat.

# Ingredient list:

→ Dry Ingredients

01 - 2 cups all-purpose flour
02 - 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
03 - ¼ teaspoon salt

→ Wet Ingredients

04 - ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
05 - ¾ cup granulated sugar
06 - 2 large eggs
07 - ½ cup whole milk
08 - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
09 - 1 teaspoon almond extract

→ Add-ins

10 - 1 cup fresh or thawed frozen cherries, pitted and halved
11 - ½ cup sliced almonds

→ Optional Topping

12 - 2 tablespoons sliced almonds
13 - 2 tablespoons coarse sugar

# Cooking steps:

01 - Preheat the oven to 350°F. Grease and line a 9x5-inch loaf pan with parchment paper.
02 - In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
03 - In a large bowl, beat the softened butter and granulated sugar together until light and fluffy.
04 - Add eggs one at a time, mixing thoroughly after each addition. Stir in vanilla and almond extracts.
05 - Add half of the dry ingredients to the wet mixture and stir just until combined. Pour in the milk, then add the remaining dry ingredients, mixing gently until just incorporated.
06 - Gently fold fresh or thawed cherries and sliced almonds into the batter.
07 - Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan. Smooth the surface and sprinkle with additional sliced almonds and coarse sugar, if desired.
08 - Bake for 50 to 55 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
09 - Let the loaf cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely before slicing.

# Expert advice:

01 -
  • Quick and easy to prepare with simple pantry ingredients.
  • Moist texture with juicy cherries bursting in every bite.
  • The almond extract and topping add a fragrant, nutty finish.
  • Perfect for festive occasions or a delightful everyday treat.
02 -
  • Use parchment paper to prevent sticking and simplify cleanup.
  • Ensure butter is softened at room temperature for easy creaming.
  • Check doneness with a toothpick inserted into the center after 50 minutes.
  • If using frozen cherries, thaw and drain well to avoid soggy batter.
  • Add the almond extract carefully as it’s potent and enhances flavor.
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