Truth – I used to eat maraschino cherries straight from the jar as an after-school snack. I’m sure my mother didn’t know. Truth – On occasion, I STILL eat maraschino cherries straight from the jar. I can’t help it! I love them. These loaves of mini cherry chocolate chip bread are perfect to give as Valentine’s gifts or to keep and eat for yourself. I find that by making mini bread loaves I am better able to portion-control instead of devouring it all immediately.
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This bread is so good because it combines two of my favorite flavors, chocolate and cherry. I love the flavor combo so much I even had to create a copy of one of the best ice cream flavors known to man (see – cherry chocolate chunk ice cream recipe). I think Valentine’s Day is the perfect time to make this recipe because the red color makes the bread look so pretty.
Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
Prepare four mini loaf pans by spraying them with non-stick spray and adding a parchment liner to the bottom of each pan.
Now, combine the flour, baking powder, and sugar.
In a second bowl, add the eggs and whisk them. Then with the eggs mix in the vegetable oil and almond extract.
From the jar of maraschino cherries measure out 1/2 cup of the juice and mix it in with the wet ingredients.
Next, chop up the entire jar of maraschino cherries. This step does not need to be precise, a rough chop is fine.
Slowly add the flour mixture into the bowl of wet ingredients. Don’t overmix!
Fold in the chopped-up cherries and 1/2 cup of chocolate chips.
Distribute the batter evenly amongst the four pans.
Place the pans in the oven and bake for approximately 30 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean when inserted.
Let rest in the pans about 10 minutes before you turn the bread out. I had to use a knife to loosen the sides a bit but then the mini loaves of bread came out easily.
If you like this recipe, be sure to check out a super easy treat – Strawberry Parfaits!
Cute little pink loaves of bread filled with maraschino cherry chunks and chocolate chips. They make adorable Valentine’s Day gifts if you can resist eating them right away.
Trace the bottom of a loaf pan on parchment paper four times and cut the rectangles out
Prepare four mini loaf pans by spraying them with non-stick spray and placing the parchment rectangle in the bottom of the pan.
Preheat the oven to 350.
Combine the flour, baking powder, and sugar.
In a separate bowl mix the eggs, vegetable oil, almond extract, and cherry juice together.
Slowly add the flour mixture to the wet ingredients. Do not overmix!
Fold in the cherries and chocolate chips.
Distribute the batter evenly between the four prepared loaf pans.
Bake for 25-30 minutes or until an inserted toothpick comes out clean.
Let the pans sit for 10 minutes until turning the loaves of bread out.
Deborah | 9th Dec 20
Can I use olive oil inst of veg oil?
Mehgan | 11th Dec 20
Normally, people do not use olive oil in sweet baked goods because of its strong flavor. If you end up trying olive oil I would suggest trying to find the lightest (most bland) olive oil you can. Let me know if it works out!
Terri | 26th Jan 24
What size loaf pans did you use?
Mehgan | 27th Jan 24
My mini loaf pans measure 5″ x 2.5″ x 2.25″. Depending on the size pan you use the time spent baking might need to be adjusted.
Valerie | 8th Feb 24
Made these to give to my neighbors for Valentine’s Day. Came out beautifully! I used mini-semisweet chocolate chips and cut the cherries in half and quartered each half. Not only did they make a nice presentation but of course I had to taste test and they are delicous as well. I also learned how to line a mini-loaf/loaf pan with parchment (youtube has numerous options). Thank you for the recipe!
Mehgan | 12th Feb 24
I’m glad to hear how well your breads came out to give to your neighbors! I hope you have a wonderful Valentine’s Day.