Shelly's Recipe

CHERRY CHIP NUT BREAD WITH CHERRY SPREAD

Category: Quick Breads

Bread
2 cups flour
1 cup buttermilk
1 cup chopped pecans
1 cup sugar
1 cup light brown sugar (firmly packed)
2 eggs, beaten
4 tbsp unsalted butter, softened
1 cup maraschino cherry juice
1 tbsp baking powder
1 tsp salt
1 tsp baking soda
1 cup chopped, drained maraschino cherries

Cherry Spread
4 oz cream cheese, softened
4 tbsp unsalted butter, softened
1 cup cherry preserves
1 tbsp kirsch or other cherry flavored liqueur (optional)

Preheat oven to 350. Combine all bread ingredients except cherries in mixing bowl. Blend on low speed of electric mixer for 15 seconds. Increase to medium speed and continue blending for 30 more seconds. Fold in cherries.

Pour batter into greased and floured loaf pan. Bake for 1 hour or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes in pan and remove to wire rack to cool completely. Serve with Cherry Spread.

To make the spread, beat cream cheese and butter at medium speed until smooth. Add preserves and liqueur (if using). Cover and keep cool until ready to serve.