Recipe: Chocolate Cherry Nut Bread

Chocolate Cherry Nut Bread
Source: Cherry Marketing Institute
Makes 1 loaf, about 16 slices

1/2 cup (1 stick) butter or margarine, softened
3/4 cup firmly packed brown sugar
1 cup buttermilk*
2 eggs
1 teaspoon almond extract
2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup dried tart cherries
1/2 cup mini semisweet chocolate morsels
1/3 cup toasted chopped almonds**

Put margarine and sugar in a large mixing bowl. Beat with an electric mixer on medium speed 3 to 4 minutes, or until well mixed. Stir in buttermilk, eggs and almond extract; mix well. Combine flour, baking powder, soda and salt. Add to buttermilk mixture; stir just until dry ingredients are moistened. Stir in cherries, chocolate morsels and nuts.

Grease and flour bottom only of 9 x 5-inch loaf pan. Pour batter into prepared pan. Bake in a preheated 350-degree oven 55 to 65 minutes, or until wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Let cool in pan on wire rack 10 minutes. Loosen edges with a metal spatula. Remove from pan. Let cool completely. Wrap in plastic wrap and store in refrigerator.

*If buttermilk is not available, place 1 tablespoon lemon juice or vinegar in 1 cup liquid measure. Fill with milk to make 1 cup.

**To toast almonds: Spread almonds in an ungreased pan. Bake in a preheated 350-degree oven 5 to 7 minutes, stirring occasionally, or until brown.