# Components:
→ 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
11 - ½ cup sliced almonds, plus extra for topping
→ Optional Topping
12 - 2 tablespoons sliced almonds
13 - 2 tablespoons coarse sugar
# Directions:
01 - Preheat the 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 until evenly mixed.
03 - In a large bowl, beat the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy using an electric mixer or whisk.
04 - Add eggs one at a time to the butter mixture, beating well after each addition. Stir in vanilla and almond extracts.
05 - Add half of the dry ingredients to the wet mixture and stir just until combined. Pour in the milk, then add the remaining dry ingredients; mix gently until incorporated.
06 - Carefully fold the cherries and sliced almonds into the batter to distribute evenly.
07 - Pour the batter into the prepared pan, smooth the surface, 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 the loaf to cool in the pan for 10 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely. Slice into approximately 10 servings.
