MARASCHINO CHERRY ALMOND BREAD

This is actually the picture I used for this blog . . . I got this recipe out of one of my Taste of Home books - I have made it numerous times and everyone loved it - then I substituted strawberries for the cherries and everyone loved THAT version, too!!!  It is DELISH!

INGREDIENTS:
1 10oz jar of maraschino cherries
1/2 C butter, softened
3/4 C sugar (I used 1/4 sugar and 1/2 brown sugar)
2 eggs
1 tsp vanilla extract (I used almond extract)
2 C flour
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt (I did not use)
1/2 C slivered almonds (I did not use - hubby is allergic to the actual nuts)

DIRECTIONS:
1. Drain cherries, reserving juice; add enough water to juice to measure 1/2 C (I didn't have to add any water); then cut cherries into quarters and set aside.
2. In a large bowl, cream the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in vanilla (almond). Combine the flour, baking powder and salt (if you use it). Gradually add to creamed mixture alternately with reserved juice. Fold in the cherries and almonds (if you used).
3. Pour into a greased 9 x 5 loaf pan and bake at 350 degrees for 50 to 60 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes before removing from pan and cool completely.