Irresistible Cherry Almond Cola Bread: A Sweet Southern Delight
Loaded with vibrant maraschino cherries, crowned with toasted almonds, and finished with a shimmering cherry cola glaze, this Cherry Almond Cola Bread is an effortlessly delicious quick bread perfect for any occasion.
The Sweet Inspiration Behind This Unique Bread
Sometimes the most delightful recipes are born out of sheer necessity, or perhaps, a happy accident. Such was the case with this incredible Cherry Almond Cola Bread. Picture this: three jars of glistening maraschino cherries tucked away in my pantry, and two more standing guard in the refrigerator. Now, while I appreciate their visual charm for garnishing the occasional cocktail, five jars felt like a significant commitment to the tiny red spheres. How did I amass such a collection? That remains a sweet mystery.
What isn’t a mystery, however, is the undeniable appeal of this Cherry Almond Cola Bread. It’s a testament to the versatility of quick breads – simple to prepare, yet bursting with comforting flavor. Each slice delivers that distinct, extra-sweet maraschino cherry essence, perfectly complemented by a hint of almond and the unexpected depth of cola. It’s a truly unique dessert bread that stands out from the crowd.
A Symphony of Flavors and Textures
This bread strikes a wonderful balance of sweetness, allowing you to tailor it to your preference. The cake itself possesses a subtle sweetness, primarily punctuated by the delightful pockets of chopped maraschino cherries. These juicy morsels create bursts of flavor and a lovely texture throughout the moist crumb. But the true indulgence comes with the Cherry Cola Glaze. This rich, sweet topping allows you to control the final sweetness of the bread. Drizzle generously for an extra-decadent treat, or apply a lighter hand for a more balanced profile. It’s truly versatile.
Beyond the cherries and cola, the addition of a touch of almond extract in the batter infuses the bread with a warm, nutty aroma and flavor that pairs beautifully with the cherries. To complete the experience, a sprinkle of sliced almonds on top adds a delicate crunch and a sophisticated finish, making each bite a delightful journey for your taste buds.
Perfect Companions: Coffee, Conversation, or a Good Book
For me, there’s a particular joy in savoring dessert bread. I prefer to enjoy it with my fingers, taking small, contemplative bites, often while lost in a moment of quiet reflection or engrossed in a good book. This practice of slow enjoyment often reminds me of other simple pleasures, like the thrill of discovering a captivating story.
Speaking of books, I recently finished a truly wonderful novel – an experience I hadn’t indulged in for far too long. Life’s demands, and admittedly, the allure of the internet, had gradually chipped away at my dedicated reading time. But this summer, I was determined to reclaim those precious moments.
The perfect setting for this literary resurgence, of course, was the beach. Is there anything quite as idyllic as lounging by the waves with a captivating book in hand? My planning, as it often does, came down to the wire. So, during a frantic last-minute shopping trip for beach essentials at Target, I decided it was time to curate my summer reading list.
Despite my daughter’s gentle eye-rolls, I excitedly selected five books from Target’s surprisingly impressive collection. I tend to be particular about my reads, needing a story that truly resonates. The first book didn’t quite capture me, but the second one? It was a gem. The kind of book that keeps you up all night, turning pages under the covers, only to make you intentionally slow down as you near the end, dreading its conclusion.
And to my absolute delight, this particular novel centered around a food blogger and her best friend, a travel writer. It felt like destiny! So, if you’re searching for your next great summer read, I wholeheartedly recommend Sweet Salt Air: A Novel. And what better way to enhance that reading experience than with a fresh batch of homemade Cherry Almond Cola Bread by your side?
Why You’ll Adore Cherry Almond Cola Bread
This quick bread isn’t just a recipe; it’s an experience. The combination of sweet maraschino cherries, the delicate fragrance of almond, and the unexpected hint of cola creates a flavor profile that is both nostalgic and exciting. It’s a dessert bread that feels gourmet but is surprisingly simple to bake, making it perfect for both seasoned bakers and beginners alike. Whether served for breakfast, brunch, an afternoon snack with coffee, or as a delightful dessert, its moist crumb and exquisite glaze promise to impress.
Tips for Baking Success
- Room Temperature Ingredients: Ensure your butter and eggs are at room temperature. This allows them to cream together more effectively, resulting in a smoother batter and a more tender crumb.
- Don’t Overmix: When combining the wet and dry ingredients, mix just until everything is incorporated. Overmixing can develop the gluten in the flour too much, leading to a tough bread.
- Coating Cherries: Tossing the chopped cherries with a couple of tablespoons of flour before adding them to the batter helps prevent them from sinking to the bottom of the pan during baking.
- Perfect Glaze Consistency: If your glaze is too thick, add a tiny bit more cola or cherry juice. If it’s too thin, whisk in a little more confectioners’ sugar until you reach your desired drizzling consistency.
- Cool Completely: Allow the bread to cool in the pan for 10 minutes before transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely. This prevents it from breaking and allows it to firm up. Glaze only once completely cool.
Cherry Almond Cola Bread
By Christin Mahrlig
15 mins
1 hr 15 mins
1 hr 30 mins
12
Ingredients
- 1 cup butter, softened
- 1 cup sugar
- 5 eggs
- 2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 1/4 cups cola-flavored beverage
- 1 (12-ounce) jar maraschino cherries, reserve juice, drained and chopped
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1/4 teaspoon almond extract
- 1/3 cup sliced almonds
Glaze
- 2 tablespoons reserved cherry juice
- 1 tablespoon cola-flavored beverage
- 1/2 cup confectioners’ sugar
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 300 degrees F (150 degrees C) and spray a 9×5-inch bread pan generously with cooking spray that contains flour, or grease and flour the pan.
- In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter and sugar together on medium-high speed with an electric mixer until the mixture is light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes.
- Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Be sure to stop and scrape down the sides of the bowl several times to ensure everything is fully incorporated.
- In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the 2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. This ensures even distribution of the leavening agents.
- With the mixer on medium-low speed, gradually add approximately one-third of the dry flour mixture to the wet ingredients. Mix just until combined.
- Once the first portion of flour is mixed in, pour in half of the cola. Continue mixing on low speed until just combined, then add another third of the flour mixture.
- Finally, add the remaining cola and then the remaining flour mixture. Mix until the batter is an even consistency, being careful not to overmix. Turn the mixer off and stir in the almond extract by hand.
- In a small bowl, toss the chopped maraschino cherries with the 2 additional tablespoons of flour. This step helps prevent the cherries from sinking to the bottom of the bread during baking. Gently fold the floured cherries into the batter.
- Pour the batter into the prepared bread pan. Sprinkle the sliced almonds evenly over the top of the batter. Bake for approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes, or until a wooden toothpick inserted into the center of the bread comes out clean.
- Let the bread cool in the pan for 10 minutes before carefully removing it and transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely.
- While the bread cools, prepare the glaze: In a small bowl, whisk together the reserved cherry juice, 1 tablespoon of cola, and the confectioners’ sugar until smooth and of a drizzling consistency.
- Once the bread has completely cooled, spoon or drizzle the cherry cola glaze generously over the top. Slice and serve!
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Did you make this?Leave a comment below and tag us @spicysouthernkitchen on social media!
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links, meaning I may earn a small commission if you make a purchase through my links, at no extra cost to you. Thank you for supporting my blog!