This bread recipe is enticing with bits of maraschino cherries. You can even make them as a gift or for serving on special gatherings.

INGREDIENTS

* 1 jar (10 ounces) maraschino cherries
* 1/2 cup butter, softened
* 3/4 cup sugar
* 2 eggs
* 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
* 2 cups all-purpose flour
* 1 teaspoon baking powder
* 1/2 teaspoon salt
* 1/2 cup slivered almonds

ALMOND BUTTER:
* 1/2 cup butter, softened
* 1 tablespoon slivered almonds, finely chopped
* 1/2 teaspoon almond extract

• Drain cherries and reserve the juice. Add more water until the measure fills a half cup. Cut the cherries into quarters and dry. Reserve.
• Soften butter with sugar in a large bowl. Once light and fluffy, start adding the eggs one at a time and beating well after every addition. Mix in the vanilla.
• Mix flour with baking powder and salt. Add this gradually to butter mixture and alternately with the reserved juice. Fold in the cherries and almonds.
• Pour the batter into a 9 x 5-inch greased loaf pan. Place it into the oven to bake for an hour at 350 degrees F. Cool for 10 minutes then set over a wire rack for thorough cooling.
• Bring almond butter ingredients together in a small bowl and serve with bread.
• Makes 1 loaf.