I’m thrilled to be able to share another wonderful recipe from my friend Pat’s collection.
Pat was tickled when she read the wonderful remarks about her Fluffy Brown Sugar Icing, she just loves to be able to share these delicious treats with so many.
After spending hours looking over this stack of tattered and torn papers, stained with time and maybe just a dash of vanilla, I came across a slim piece of paper that was titled, “Cherry Nut Bread.” I was instantly intrigued because I love cherries, and well… bread! Pat loves bread too. I knew this would be a winner.
The recipe is written on the back of an old sales receipt, quickly scribbled down while she chatted on the phone with her long time friend, Barb. Or Bubbs, as Pat calls her, (on account of her bubbly personality). Pat and Barb were the best of friends throughout their child rearing days and would constantly exchange recipes. This Cherry Nut Bread was one of many that passed through the young mother’s hands.
My favorite part of the old recipe is when Pat writes: “Butter, size of egg”
So that’s what I did.
I’d say it was between 3 and 4 tablespoons, but to be on the safe side, I’d stick with 4 tbsp, no such thing as too much butter, right?!
The recipe calls for a small bottle of red cherries. Maraschino Cherries to be exact.
She writes: “Pour juices off into cup and fill with sweet milk.”
This threw me for a loop. First of all, where is the milk going? and what is sweet milk? After some google research, I discovered that sweet milk is an old term for regular milk (usually whole milk). The terms sweet milk and sweet cream were used to differentiate between buttermilk and sour cream.
The solution was to pour the juices off the cherries into a measuring cup, then fill to the 1 cup mark with whole milk.
To be honest, I would not mind drinking that cup of cherry milk! I loved how it turned the batter a light pink color too.
This quick Cherry Nut Bread was sweet and delicious. I can see myself making several mini loaves and passing them out for Christmas this year.
The little burst of cherries throughout the loaf gives the moist bread an even sweeter bite. I used walnuts, as per Pat’s Recipe, but I’m sure any sort of nut would work well with this bread. You could even leave the nuts out if you’re just not a fan of them.
I can’t thank Pat enough for being so generous with her recipes and letting me share them with you all. She has so many great stories to tell with these recipes, and I am trying to get as much out of her as I can before she moves away.
I wonder if I could just adopt her and make her move in with me?
Make sure you don’t miss a thing! Follow I Wash You Dry here:
FACEBOOK | PINTEREST | GOOGLE+ | TWITTER | INSTAGRAM | BLOGLOVIN
Cherry Nut Bread {Pat’s Recipes}
Ingredients
- 4 tbsp butter, softened
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 1 egg
- 2 tsp baking powder
- 1 tsp salt
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 bottle, 10oz of Maraschino Cherries
- Milk
- 1/2 cup Walnuts, or any other nut you prefer
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Lightly grease an 8"x4" loaf pan, set aside.
- In a medium bowl combine the butter and brown sugar, beat with a mixer until light and creamy. Add the egg and beat until combined.
- In a separate bowl whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
- Pour the juice from the cherries into a measuring cup, then fill the measuring cup with milk till it reaches the 1 cup mark.
- Alternately add the flour mixture and cherry milk to the brown sugar mixture, use a whisk, and stir just until the flour is absorbed, do not over mix.
- Chop cherries roughly. Fold the cherries and walnuts into the batter and pour into the prepared loaf pan.
- Bake for 45-60 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Let cool in pan for 10 minutes before removing to cool completely on wire rack. If you can, wrap and let sit over night for best results. Enjoy!
Sausage Filled Cinnamon Roll Monkey Bread
Jo Paulson
I made one-and-a half of this recipe, enough for a full size bread pan and three small ones. I greased the pans well, but every single one of them stuck on the bottom an came out as delicious disasters. The cherry nut bread is more like a cake rather than a heavier bread. This recipe had so much potential but I would never make it again.
Shawn
Sorry you had trouble with it sticking to your pans. I would suggest using the baker’s cooking spray next time, or even lining with parchment paper if your pans are a little older.
Rose Lopez
I was so disappointed as well. The brown sugar made it dark not white. Hardly no taste.
Kim
Found this exact recipe in an old church fundraiser cookbook from Danvers, Massachusetts. I think the book is from the 1950s. Looking forward to trying this soon!
Shawn
How neat! Hope you enjoy it Kim!
San
There are about 30 cherries in a 10oz jar. I actually bought a small one once to see. I also buy a huge jar at Restaurant Depot. Our Costco/BJ’s doesn’t sell the big jar anymore.
Cindy
I seen this recipe looking for a Cherry Nut pound cake recipe. We was married 36 years on May 2. Our cake was Cherry Nut Cake. Never thinking that I should know how to make a Cherry Nut Cake, but now would like that cake recipe. That cake had cherries pecans and it had a like pumpkin nut bread texture. So today I try this recipe in the quest of finding our Wedding Cherry Nut Cake recipe. Please if you know of a recipe of cherry nut wedding cake, I ask you to please send it to me. wcjdwheatley@yahoo.com
I can’t think of nothing more perfect then tasting that cake just like the first time. Thank you for your time and any info you may send me, cindy
Diane
Thanks so much for posting this recipe! My step-mother (whose name was also Barb) used to make delicious little loaves of cherry nut bread at Christmas time. She would have us save tin cans as we got close to the holidays and would bake the bread in the cans (making perfect little loaves) then we’d wrap them in tin foil and add a bow. They were the perfect gift for my favorite teachers. I loved this bread, but unfortunately the recipe died with my step-mother when I was a senior in high school. I’ve been wanting to carry on this tradition and it looks like this recipe is very similar to what I remember her doing so I’m really excited to give it a try!
DIANE Tritico
The 8 x 4 pan is too small. This took forever to bake because the middle wouldn’t firm up
Shawn
You could bake it in a larger pan if you’re not having success with the smaller one. If you did try the smaller one and the top is browning to quickly without the center being done, just lightly cover the top with foil until the center is cooked though.
Debbie McCarrick
Do you have a rough estimate of how many oz. of liquid there was in the 10 oz. jar of cherries? I would like to buy a big jar of cherries at Sam’s Club and give full size loaves out during the holidays.
Thank you for sharing.
Shawn
Good question! I would guess about 3oz per 10oz jar.
Debbie Thompson
assume 1/4c. juice and 3/4 c. milk
Shawn
Yes, that sounds about right!
Keri
I’ve been eyeing this recipe for months. However, the hubby got a 13-oz jar of cherries, and I needed to tweak it to make it safe for my nut-and-dairy allergic kiddo. Coconut oil (solid, since even solid at room temperature, it’s similar in texture to softened butter), and I used full-fat coconut milk instead of normal dairy milk. I figured since I wasn’t including the half-cup of nuts, the additional cherries wouldn’t do any harm, and if the cherry juice/milk mixture was more cherry juice than milk, we should be okay.
It came out really good. I should note that I went ahead and used refined coconut oil to prevent extra coconut flavor. There was little enough coconut milk for it to affect the flavor, I think (the juice from the 13-oz jar came to exactly 3/4 a cup). Naturally, allergic-kid didn’t care for it (despite making a valiant effort to steal the cherries before they made it in the bread–allergies aside, he’s superpicky anyway), but hubby, me, and the baby all approve. It’s going in my permanent recipe book!
Janet Rodrigue
Was anxious to make this Cherry Nut Bread. It was tasty but dry. Needs oil vs butter. Any suggestions? Thank you for sharing you recipe.
Helen
Hi there, I made a double loaf tonight but substituted dried cherries soaked in orange juice. I microwaved the cherries and juice for 30 seconds. I added the remaining juice with the milk. I also zested an orange and mixed the zest with the sugar and butter. Yummy!
Shawn
Love that you added orange flavor!
Christine
Thanks for sharing. My mom use to make this as a holiday treat. I continued the tradition, but in a move lost the recipe. I will often add semi sweet chippits to the batter (and will usually use pecans rather than walnuts, but that’s just my personal preference).
Shawn
Thanks Christine! I’m so glad you found this recipe again! 🙂
Victoria Harvey
Can I use frozen cherries instead because maraschino cherries have sulphites in them and I can’t tolerate it?
Beverly
Thanks for sharing. I have made this recipe for years for Christmas bread but mine has mini choc chips and chopped dates. I find I always have to bake for the 60 mins or it does not slice well. This recipie also works adding cranberries for a sweet and sour bread which doesn’t make you feel quite as quilty eating it.
Shawn
Love the idea of adding mini chocolate chips!! YUM!
Rebecca
Hi Shawn,
I love this Cherry Nut loaf recipe. It will now be my Christmas morning breakfast tradition.
Thank so much – Wishing you many blessings.
Rebecca
Shawn
That sounds like a great new tradition! 🙂
Karen
I have a recipe for cherry nut loaf but will definitely try this one. looks delish. One thing my Mom always made as a walnut loaf and cannot find a recipe for this anywhere. She passed before i could get it from her. 🙁
Shawn
Hopefully this one fits the bill! 🙂
Yevette Brinegar
I grew up with my Grandma making a cherry nut bread that I loved! I never could duplicate her recipe she gave me, the closest I came is when I finally used a boxed nut bread mix and added the maraschino cherries 🙂 I have made the bread since I’ve been on my own using the same mix but have ALWAYS had a time finding the exact brand. This year, I finally found the mix and made my bread only to be disappointed 🙁 Something in the mix has been changed, and not for the better. I am going into my kitchen as soon as I finish here and making this. I have my fingers crossed that it will be as good as hers 🙂 I will let you ( and Pat) know how it turns out…. I have been trying for 26 yrs, lets hope this is the one 🙂
Shawn
I hope this recipe is just what you’re looking for! 🙂 Thanks for sharing Yevette!
Kaela from Kitchen & Company
What a great recipe & kudos on deciphering some of those terms/phrases! We appreciate you mentioning our mini loaf pans to a reader & hope we can help you with all of your future cooking and baking needs!
Best,
Kaela, on behalf of Kitchen & Company
Sandy
i have had this recipe for over thirty years. My family didn’t like it in loaf shape so I made it in a bundt pan and serve with whipped cream it doesn’t last long in our house.
Sheri
Thank you for sharing these great recipes! The Fluffy Brown Sugar Frosting is going on a cake very soon and the Cherry Nut Bread will be included as small loaves in our Christmas cookie trays! Please keep sharing Pat’s recipes –
Elf
What a delight reading your lead-up to the recipe! Appreciate the enlightenment, as well! I’m also a huge fan of all things cherry . . . with a special weakness for cherry coke. So, after envisioning the ingredients, I just knew my maiden attempt at this recipe would include cola! Not sure how much, but it will definitely replace some of the milk. Can’t wait to try it – thanks for lending me inspiration, Shawn!
Shawn
I’d love to know how that turns out with the cherry coke! Hope you enjoy it! 🙂
Amy Smith
Want to make tonight, but was wondering if you have to use whole milk? I have 1% on hand. Do you think it would make a difference?
Shawn
Hi Amy! I think 1% will work just fine! 🙂
Clelia
Hi, I just found out about your blog! I love this recipe… I definitely must give it a try! you’ve been gifted with a treasure by your friend!
have a lovely evening!
Clelia
Candace
This is a beautiful bread! I’m thinking of making several mini loaves for my daughter’s bridal shower. I know you mentioned possibly making mini loaves…do you have an idea on cooking time and how many small loaves one batch would make? Thanks in advance!
Cerues
I have some of my mother in law’s recipes and for all her quick breads it’s 1 hour for the loaf, 22 minutes for cupcakes and 40-45 minutes for mini loaf pans, like these: http://www.kitchenandcompany.com/bakeware/bread-loaf-pans/_/Chicago-Metallic-Commercial-II-Mini-Loaf-Pans-Set-of-4
In my experience, one batch makes one regular loaf. 12 cupcakes or four mini loaves.
Ala
And just in time for me to use up these cherries! I’ll have to remember not to use emu eggs, otherwise my arteries will be in trouble. One egg of butter, indeed 🙂
Denise WYSONG
Oh Shawn, how blessed you are to have inherited such a wonderful gift and how blessed we are that you are sharing!! My sis and I love to try vintage recipes. This bread and the fluffy brown sugar frosting are both on my to-do list. I will be anxiously watching your future posts. Denise
Shawn
Thank you Denise, I really do feel so lucky to have all these wonderful recipes. You can sign up for email updates to know when a new recipe is posted. I’ll be tagging each post with “Pat’s Recipes” so you can know which ones are hers.
Andrea
My son loves Maraschino Cherries…can’t wait to make this for him. He will love it! Thanks to Pat for sharing with you. What a blessing you have been given!
sherry
I have made this many times. I got the recipe from a farm womens cook book. It is delicious. I do not use nuts in it.
Shawn
I bet it would taste great without nuts too! 🙂
bren
Am sharing these wonderful vintage recipes of Pat’s on one of my pinterest boards and elsewhere, do tell her.
Shawn
Thank you Bren! I will be sure to let her know how much her recipes are appreciated! 🙂
Diane T
I made this last night and while I REALLY messed it up by not baking it long enough (it fell apart and parts were unbaked) I will still make it again, hopefully with more success. I had to put the pieces back in to bake longer but it still tastes great! I should have known to leave it in longer but …….now I know for next time. It looked beautiful in the pan though.
Shawn
Haha, yes… it’s hard to wait so long for it to bake all the way through. Try testing it with a toothpick in the center, if it comes out clean you’re good. If you’re worried it’s browning too much on top, just loosely cover it with foil and bake until it’s done. 🙂 Hope that gets you better results next time!
Leslie
These are the best kind of recipes!!! Ones on the back of sales receipts!
Carl
I couldn’t agree more with the idea of always sharing recipes. I have never understood the idea of not sharing them. I mean, what is gained? I always thought it was the Christian thing to do.
Can’t wait to try this recipe.
Shawn
Thanks Carl! It’s always better to share. 🙂
Jamie
My mother-in-law is like that… she wants the glory of the excellent meals and desserts she makes…. its frustrating to say the least…
Sarah
My mother makes this for Christmas every year, it was a recipe passed down-I imagine the same way this one was- from an old friend who passed 25+ years ago, but asked her not to give it to anyone…and to this day she hasn’t given it to me!! Thank you (and Pat) so much for sharing, I can’t wait to make this on my own.
Shawn
That is exactly why I do what I do! I once had a friend who refused to give out her recipes, and I just thought it was a shame because nobody else would be able to make such a good thing. So I made it a point to always share my recipes with others. I’m happy that Pat shares the same philosophy! 🙂
Ashley @ Wishes and Dishes
I’ve made a bread like this before….sooo good!! Yours is beautiful..love the colors 🙂
Shawn
Thanks Ashley, I really enjoyed the bread. So yummy!
Amy Tong
Oh my…this Cherry Nut Bread looks amazing! Yes, I can drink up that cherry milk too…so pink and gorgeous. 😛 hehe….I’m just as confused with the term “sweet milk” when you first mentioned it. Thank you so much for the clarification. 🙂 I can’t wait to try this recipe out. And yes, it would love lovely to turn them into mini loaf as homemade gifts for Christmas.
Shawn
Thanks Amy, I’m glad I could give everyone a mini lesson on the term “sweet milk”! 🙂
Kim
I have a wonderful sugar cookie recipe from my grandmother and it calls for sweet milk and oleo. I had to look both of those up before I made it the first time! But I skip the oleo (margarine) and just use butter.
Shawn
Oh yes, margarine was very big back then. A lot of Pat’s recipes call for margarine, but I just substitute them for butter. 🙂
Karen Hausteen
be careful when you change the margarine to butter though – it is not always the same end result, especially with cookies.
I have this recipe – from my mother (born in 1927) – she made it often when I was a kiddo growing up – and it is so good! I have to remember not to bake it too long or it gets dry….
thanks for sharing Pat’s recipes!
Gerry @ Foodness Gracious
Looks great, I’m such a loaf person over a cookie any day!