# Components:
→ Dry Ingredients
01 - 2 cups all-purpose flour (250 g)
02 - 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
03 - ¼ teaspoon salt
→ Wet Ingredients
04 - ½ cup unsalted butter, softened (115 g)
05 - ¾ cup granulated sugar (150 g)
06 - 2 large eggs
07 - ½ cup whole milk (120 ml)
08 - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
09 - 1 teaspoon almond extract
→ Add-ins
10 - 1 cup fresh or thawed frozen cherries, pitted and halved (150 g) or well-drained maraschino cherries
11 - ½ cup sliced almonds (60 g), plus extra for topping
→ Optional Topping
12 - 2 tablespoons sliced almonds
13 - 2 tablespoons coarse sugar
# Directions:
01 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease and line a 9x5-inch loaf pan with parchment paper.
02 - Whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt in a medium bowl. Set aside.
03 - In a large bowl, beat softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy.
04 - Add eggs one at a time, mixing well after each. Stir in vanilla and almond extracts.
05 - Add half the dry mixture to the wet ingredients and mix until just combined. Pour in milk, then add remaining dry ingredients, stirring gently until incorporated.
06 - Carefully fold chopped cherries and sliced almonds into the batter.
07 - Pour batter into prepared pan, smooth the surface, then sprinkle with extra sliced almonds and coarse sugar if desired.
08 - Bake for 50 to 55 minutes, until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
09 - Let cool in pan for 10 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely prior to slicing.
