Glazed Cherry Bread
Ingredients:
Bread:
• ¾ cup granulated sugar
• ½ cup milk
• ½ cup vegetable oil
• 1 large egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• ¼ tsp salt
• 2 - 10 ounce jars maraschino cherries
Glaze:
• 2 cups powdered sugar
• 2 tablespoons melted butter
• ⅓ cup maraschino cherry juice
• ½ tsp vanilla extract
Directions:
• Preheat oven to 350°
• Spray a 9×5-inch loaf pan with nonstick cooking spray and set aside.
• De-stem the cherries and finely chop them. Reserve the juice.
• In a medium bowl, mix together the sugar, milk, oil, eggs, and vanilla.
• Add in the salt and baking powder. Slowly add in the flour while stirring just to combine.
• Gently fold the diced cherries into the batter.
• Pour batter into greased loaf pan. Bake 50-55 minutes until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
• Allow bread to cool in pan for 10 minutes then remove to a wire rack to cool completely.
• To make the glaze, combine the powdered sugar, melted butter, 1/3 cup of the reserved cherry juice and vanilla. Stir until fully combined and smooth.
• Drizzle glaze over bread when completely cool.
Making glazed cherry bread at home is a rewarding baking experience that combines the sweetness of cherries with a soft, moist bread base. Using maraschino cherries in the batter gives the bread bursts of flavor, while folding them gently ensures the cherries remain intact and juicy. One tip I've found helps the texture is to avoid overmixing the batter once the flour is added; this keeps the bread tender rather than dense. The glaze is a key feature of this recipe that elevates the cherry flavor. By incorporating reserved cherry juice into the powdered sugar and melted butter, the glaze gains a delicate fruity sweetness and a beautiful sheen. Waiting until the bread is completely cooled before glazing prevents the icing from melting into a runny mess, ensuring that it sets nicely on top. For those experimenting, you can substitute fresh cherries if maraschino ones are unavailable, though you may want to reduce additional sugar slightly since fresh cherries are less sweet. Adding a pinch of cinnamon or nutmeg to the batter can also add warmth and complexity to the flavor profile. This cherry bread is not only delightful on its own but pairs wonderfully with a cup of tea or coffee. It also makes an elegant homemade gift during the holidays or cherry season. Trying this recipe has encouraged me to explore other fruit-glazed breads, and the combination of a luscious glaze with fruit throughout is always a crowd-pleaser.
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