Dried Cherry Almond Bread

Ingredients

FOR THE BREAD

• 1 1/2 cups boiling water

• 2 (5 1/2 ounce) bags dried cherries
• 1 cup brown sugar, packed
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 2 eggs
• 1/2 teaspoon almond extract
• 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 1/2 cups slivered almonds

FOR THE GLAZE

• 1/2 cup powdered sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon almond extract
• 1 teaspoon milk (or more)

Directions

1. 1

   FOR THE BREAD ~ In a medium bowl, pour boiling water over dried cherries & let stand 20 minutes, then pat dry with paper towels.

2. 2

   Preheat oven to 325 degrees F, then spray a 9"x5" loaf pan with with a baking-spray-with-flour.

3. 3

   In a large mixing bowl, beat brown sugar & softened butter with electric mixer on medium speed until well mixed.

4. 4

   Beat in eggs & the 1/2 teaspoon of almond extract, then carefully stir in the flour, baking powder & salt just until dry ingredients are moistened.

5. 5

   Stir in almonds & cherries, then pour into prepared loaf pan.

6. 6

   Bake 70 to 80 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean & top is dark golden brown.

7. 7

   Cool 10 minutes in the pan on a wire rack, then loosen the sides of the loaf from the pan & remove the bread, placing it top side up on a wire rack. Let it cool completely, about 1 hour.

8. 8

   FOR THE GLAZE ~ In a small bowl, mix glaze ingredients until smooth, then drizzle over cooled bread.

9. 9

   Wrap tightly & store at room temperature.

10. 10

    When ready to serve, cut loaf into 12 slices & then cut each of those slices in half.