# What You'll Need:
→ Dry Ingredients
01 - 2 cups all-purpose flour
02 - 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
03 - ¼ teaspoon salt
→ Wet Ingredients
04 - ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
05 - ¾ cup granulated sugar
06 - 2 large eggs
07 - ½ cup whole milk
08 - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
09 - 1 teaspoon almond extract
→ Add-ins
10 - 1 cup pitted and halved fresh or thawed frozen cherries, or well-drained maraschino cherries
11 - ½ cup sliced almonds, plus additional 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 - In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt; set aside.
03 - In a large bowl, cream softened butter and sugar until mixture is light and fluffy.
04 - Beat in eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition, then stir in vanilla and almond extracts.
05 - Add half the dry ingredients to the wet mixture and mix just until combined. Pour in milk, then add remaining dry ingredients; stir gently until incorporated.
06 - Gently fold in cherries and sliced almonds.
07 - Pour batter into prepared loaf pan. Smooth top, then sprinkle with additional sliced almonds and coarse sugar if desired.
08 - Bake for 50 to 55 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
09 - Allow loaf to cool in pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to wire rack to cool completely before slicing.
