Fresh Cherry Quick Bread makes the PERFECT breakfast or sweet treat in the summertime! Easy to make and prepare, this quick bread is destined to become a classic recipe. The pitted, fresh cherries are highlighted and balanced with lemon zest and freshly squeezed lemon juice. Between the crunchy crust, the bread's fluffy texture and the cherry-lemon flavors that sing inside the baked good, Fresh Cherry Quick Bread is sure to become a new favorite!
0 Preheat the oven to 375°F. Spray a loaf pan with nonstick baking spray, then set aside.
1 Pit and dice the cherries into bite-sized pieces, then place in a glass bowl. Save ¼ cup of the halved cherries to decorate the top of the bread with, and set aside. Toss the rest in a scant tablespoon of flour, and set aside.
2 In a large glass bowl, combine [wprm-ingredient text="1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour" uid="1"], [wprm-ingredient text="½ teaspoon baking powder" uid="2"], [wprm-ingredient text="½ teaspoon baking soda" uid="3"] and [wprm-ingredient text="½ teaspoon kosher salt" uid="4"]. Whisk together until combined, then set aside.
3 In another large glass bowl, mix [wprm-ingredient text="½ cup granulated sugar" uid="6"] with [wprm-ingredient text="1 tablespoon lemon zest" uid="10"]. Pour in the melted [wprm-ingredient text="¼ cup coconut oil" uid="5"], and cream together by mixing vigorously. You can do this with a hand mixer or a rubber spatula.
4 Once the coconut oil and sugar are a smooth mixture, crack [wprm-ingredient text="1 egg" uid="7"] into the mixture.
5 Pour in [wprm-ingredient text="1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract" uid="8"] and [wprm-ingredient text="¼ cup unsweetened applesauce" uid="9"] to the wet ingredients, too. Beat with the hand mixer until combined.
6 Add [wprm-ingredient text="3 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice" uid="11"], and mix until combined.
8 Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients, gently stirring with a rubber spatula until just combined.
13 Fold in [wprm-ingredient text="¾ cup cherries" uid="0"], gently stirring until they are incorporated in the batter.
9 Carefully pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan. Use the additional [wprm-ingredient text="¼ cup cherries" uid="12"] to decorate the top of the loaf, then transfer to the oven.
10 Bake at 375°F for 45-55 minutes, or until an inserted toothpick comes out clean.
11 Let the loaf cool for 15-30 minutes, then remove it from the loaf pan, and slice.
12 Enjoy at room temperature or toasted!
