Cherry Bread

2 cups all purpose flour
2/3 cup sugar
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup milk
1/2 cup margarine or butter, melted
1 teaspoon almond extracat
2 eggs
1/2 cup slivered almonds
1 (10 oz) jar maraschino cherries, drained and chopped

Heat oven to 350 degrees. Grease bottom only of 8x4 loaf pan. Lightly spoon flour into measuring cup; level off. In large bowl, combine flour, sugar, baking powder and salt; mix well. In small bowl combine milk, margaine, almond extract and eggs; blend well. Add to flour mixture in large bowl; stir by hand justuntil dry particles are moistened. Stir in almonds and cherries. Pour into greased pan and bake for 65-70 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool 10 minutes; remove from pan and cool completely.
I often make this in 2 smaller loaf pans and give as gifts. Tie a length of string fruit around the loaf and tie into a bow.

This is another bread we enjoy. I like it because it uses the peels of oranges and I just put them in a bag in the freezer when I peel an orange and always have them on hand when I decide to make this.

Orange Bread

Chop the peel of 3-4 oranges or enough to make 1 cup. Chop into small pieces. Cover with 1 1/2 cups cold water and bring to a boil. Drain and repeat this 2 times. Add 1 cup water and 1 cup sugar. Cook until a thick syrup forms. Takes a while. Cool. Cream together 1 cup sugar , 1 egg and 2 tablespoons soft margarine. Sift together 3 cups flour, 3 1/2 teaspoons baking powder and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Add to sugar mixture along with 1 cup milk. Stir until blended and add orange peel mixture. Bake in 2 greased and floured loaf pans at 325 degrees for 60-75 or until toothpick comes out clean. Cool and remove from pans. This freezes very well.

Hope these will be helpful and to your liking.