cherry and almond loaf

                                          cherry and almond loaf

275 gms butter

300 gms plain flour

11/2 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp bi carb of soda

220 gms cherries

175 gms caster sugar

4 eggs, beaten

2-3 drops almond essence

100 gms ground almonds

5 tbsps milk

preheat oven to 180 C, gas mark 3. cut the cherries in half, wash them in cold water and dry well. Toss them in flour and make sure to get rid of any excess.

cream the butter and sugar until fluffy. add the beaten eggs gradually and continue beating, add the almond essence. sieve the flour, bi carb and baking powder into a bowl. Add this gradually to the butter mixture and gently fold it in. then add the milk followed by the cherries. Spoon this mixture into a loaf tin and bake for 45 minutes until a skewer inserted comes out clean.

cool in the tin for 10 minutes and then cool completely on a wire rack.