# What You Need:
→ Dry Ingredients
01 - 2 cups all-purpose flour
02 - 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
03 - ¼ teaspoon salt
→ Wet Ingredients
04 - ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
05 - ¾ cup granulated sugar
06 - 2 large eggs
07 - ½ cup whole milk
08 - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
09 - 1 teaspoon almond extract
→ Add-ins
10 - 1 cup fresh or thawed frozen cherries, pitted and halved
11 - ½ cup sliced almonds, plus additional for topping
→ Optional Topping
12 - 2 tablespoons sliced almonds
13 - 2 tablespoons coarse sugar
# Steps:
01 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease and line a 9x5-inch loaf pan with parchment paper.
02 - Whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt in a medium bowl; set aside.
03 - Beat unsalted butter and granulated sugar in a large bowl until light and fluffy.
04 - Add eggs one at a time, mixing thoroughly after each addition. Stir in vanilla and almond extracts.
05 - Add half of the dry ingredients to the wet mixture and mix lightly. Pour in milk, then fold in remaining dry ingredients just until combined.
06 - Gently fold cherries and sliced almonds into the batter.
07 - Pour batter into prepared loaf pan, smooth top, and sprinkle with additional sliced almonds and coarse sugar if desired.
08 - Bake for 50 to 55 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
09 - Let cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely before slicing.
