This Cherry Chip Loaf is incredibly moist and full of flavor thanks to the maraschino cherries and cherry chips. It’s the perfect holiday treat to share with friends!
If you enjoy watching Christmas movies as much as we do (especially the kind put on by ABC Family and the like) then you have to watch one of our favorites, 12 Dates of Christmas. I know, I know…so corny! Buuuuut also so cute! This movie is a kinda like Groundhog’s Day but set at Christmas Eve. And I must admit, we don’t have cable but we do have Netflix so if you are like us you are in luck!!! We have found this movie on Netflix and watched it over the holiday season the last few years. Now are you asking yourself, “Why am I even sharing this with you?” (affiliate links present)
Well, in the movie, 12 Dates of Christmas, there is a scene where Amy Smart’s character gets a loaf of Cherry Chip Bread from her neighbor who bakes loaves and loaves to give away to friends and family every Christmas season…and it looks so good! In another scene her neighbor invites her into her apartment and teaches Amy’s character how to make it. Well, to say I was intrigued about what this Cherry Chip Loaf tasted like is right!
Of course I had to figure out how it could be made…in the movie there is some flour involved, and some creaming of butter and sugar. Oh and of course Margine (the sweet neighbor) says that what keeps her bread from being dry is her secret ingredient, “two tablespoons of honey”. So off I went into my kitchen to play around…I was going for a full on cherry flavor which is why I chose to use Maraschino Cherries. And then what about the “chip” part? Well, chocolate chips overpower and I would lose the cherry flavor I was looking for so they were a no-go. Now, white chocolate chips are a different story. They complemented the cherries without overpowering them like chocolate does. But what I found I loved the most…CHERRY CHIPS! Yup! They do exist! I found some at my local grocery store so hopefully you can too. Here is a link on amazon so you can see what cherry chips look like. They really added the perfect creamy cherry addition to this bread.
Cherry Chip Loaf
I hope you love this as much as we do…my husband said “this bread is like crack” so there you go, lol!
- 2 cups flour
- 1 cup evaporated cane sugar (or white granulated sugar)
- 1 cup butter, softened
- 2 eggs
- 1/2 cup applesauce
- 2 Tbsp honey
- 2 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp almond extract
- 1 10-12 oz jar maraschino cherries, drained and chopped
- 1/2 cherry chips (or white chocolate chips)
- In a medium-sized bowl, mix together the flour, sugar, baking soda, and salt.
- Add in the eggs, butter, applesauce, honey, and almond extract.
- Fold in the maraschino cherries and cherry chips until well combined.
- Grease a bread pan (or a few little ones!) and add in batter.
- Bake at 350 degrees for 50-60 minutes.
- Enjoy!
And this bread, oh baby! It is oh-so moist and completely loaded with cherry flavor through and through! Perfect for giving in little bread tins this winter just like Margine!
For more delicious and easy recipes and craft ideas please LIKE Smashed Peas and Carrots on Facebook or follow me on Instagram or Pinterest for more great ideas! And if you like this, you may enjoy these posts as well!
• Peanut Butter Kiss Reindeer Cookies
• 3 Ingredient Cookie Butter Cookies
Thanks for stopping by today!
Love,
Maggie
I like your style! I watched the movie for the first time last night, and wanted to try it out, which is how I found your blog. I was planning on doing marchino cherries, white chocolate, and almond extract. We’re on the same brain wave. I love cherry chips, but have not been able to find any this year. Hopefully they will make a comeback next year. Thanks for doing the hard work of creating the recipe. I can’t wait to try this later tonight.
It’s seriously one of my all time favorite movies! I hope you enjoy this bread as much as we do!! We’ve made it four different times in the past couple weeks! Crossing my fingers for an uprise in popularity of cherry chips too!!!