A festive banana bread laced with bright
red flecks of maraschino cherries...perfect for the holidays
to serve guests, or to give as gifts.
Cherry Banana Bread
- 1 1/3 cups maraschino cherries (1 (10-ounce)
jar)
1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/3 cup butter or margarine, softened
2/3 cup firmly packed brown sugar
2 large eggs
1 cup mashed ripe bananas
1/2 cup chopped macadamia nuts or walnuts
- Drain maraschino cherries, reserving 2
tablespoons juice. Cut cherries into quarters; set aside. Combine
flour, baking powder and salt; set aside.
- Combine butter, brown sugar, eggs and
reserved cherry juice in a large mixing bowl. Mix on medium speed
with an electric mixer until ingredients are thoroughly combined.
Add flour mixture and mashed bananas alternately, beginning and
ending with flour mixture. Stir in drained cherries and nuts.
Lightly spray a 9 x 5 x 3-inch baking pan with non-stick cooking
spray. Spread batter evenly in pan.
- Bake in a preheated 350°F (175°C)
oven 1 hour, or until golden brown and wooden pick inserted near
center comes out clean. Remove from pan; let cool on wire rack.
Store in a tightly covered container.
Makes 1 loaf, about 16 slices.
Recipe and photograph are provided courtesy
of the Cherry Marketing Institute.
