Copycat Bob Evans Cherry Bread Recipe

Copycat Bob Evans Cherry Bread Recipe for Sweet Mornings

The copycat Bob Evans cherry bread recipe brings the beloved restaurant favorite right into home kitchens everywhere.

Sweet and tender, this bakery-style loaf has won hearts across the country for good reason.

Morning coffee tastes better when paired with a thick slice of something so wonderfully fruity and moist.

Weekend brunches become more special, and breakfast tables feel a bit more abundant when one of these beautiful loaves appears.

The appeal crosses generations because comfort food like this never goes out of style.

Baking at home means enjoying that signature flavor whenever the craving strikes, without waiting for a restaurant visit.

Start mixing up a batch today and fill the house with an aroma that makes everyone smile.

A Moist, Fruity Escape in Every Slice of Bob Evans Cherry Bread

  • Simple Weekend Treat: When your family craves something sweet and special without complicated steps, this cherry bread delivers delicious comfort with minimal kitchen effort.
  • Perfect Breakfast Companion: Your morning coffee deserves a tasty partner that’s packed with fruity flavor and can be prepared faster than running to a bakery.
  • Beginner Baker’s Success: Even if baking feels intimidating, this recipe offers foolproof results that boost kitchen confidence and create something memorable.
  • Flexible Family Dessert: Serve warm as a breakfast treat, afternoon snack, or casual dessert that appeals to both kids and adults with its cheerful cherry twist.

What Goes Into Moist Bob Evans Cherry Bread Batter

What Goes Into Moist Bob Evans Cherry Bread Batter
Dry Ingredients:
  • 2 Cups All-Purpose Flour: The foundation of your tender, soft bread that provides structure and texture.
  • 1 Cup Granulated Sugar: Sweetens the bread and helps create a delightful golden-brown crust.
  • 1 Tablespoon Baking Powder: Ensures your bread rises beautifully and stays light.
  • ½ Teaspoon Salt: Balances the sweetness and enhances the overall flavor profile.
Wet Ingredients:
  • ¾ Cup Maraschino Cherry Juice: Infuses the bread with a subtle cherry flavor and keeps it incredibly moist.
  • 2 Large Eggs: Bind the ingredients together and contribute to the bread’s rich texture.
  • ⅓ Cup Vegetable Oil: Provides moisture and helps create a soft, tender crumb.
  • 1 Teaspoon Vanilla Extract: Adds warm, comforting background flavor.
  • ½ Teaspoon Almond Extract: Complements the cherry notes with a delicate nutty essence.
Garnish and Glaze Ingredients:
  • 1 Cup Maraschino Cherries, Chopped: Bursts of sweet, vibrant cherries throughout your bread.
  • 1 Cup Powdered Sugar, ½ Tablespoons Maraschino Cherry Juice, ½ Teaspoon Almond Extract: Creates a glossy, cherry-kissed glaze to finish your bread.

Standard Loaf Pan And Mixing Tools For Cherry Bread

  • 9×5-inch Loaf Pan: Your trusty pan for creating this delectable cherry bread, ensuring even baking and perfect shape.
  • Large Mixing Bowls (2): Essential for separating dry and wet ingredients, making your mixing process smooth and organized.
  • Whisk: Perfect for blending ingredients quickly and eliminating lumps in your batter.
  • Measuring Cups and Spoons: Crucial for precise ingredient amounts that guarantee consistent results every time.
  • Sharp Knife: Helpful for chopping cherries into the right size for your bread.
  • Wire Cooling Rack: Allows your fresh bread to cool evenly and prevents soggy bottoms.
  • Toothpicks: Handy for checking whether your bread has baked completely.
  • Mixing Spatula: Great for gently folding cherries into batter without overmixing.
  • Optional Small Bowl: Useful for preparing the cherry glaze if you want an extra touch of sweetness.

How to Master a Moist Crumb for Cherry Bread

How to Master a Moist Crumb for Cherry Bread
1

Prepare Baking Setup

Preheat your oven to exactly 350°F (175°C). Grab a standard 9×5 inch loaf pan and get it ready by spraying with cooking spray or lining with parchment paper so your bread slides out easily.

2

Mix Dry Ingredients

Grab a large mixing bowl and combine your dry ingredients precisely:

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 tablespoon baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt

Whisk these ingredients together until they’re completely blended and no lumps remain.

3

Combine Wet Ingredients

In a separate bowl, whisk together your liquid components smoothly:

  • 3/4 cup maraschino cherry juice
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1/3 cup vegetable oil
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/2 teaspoon almond extract

Mix until everything is completely incorporated and looks uniform.

4

Create Batter

Pour your wet ingredients into the dry ingredients. Stir gently with a wooden spoon, making sure to mix just until the batter comes together.

Stop stirring the moment no dry flour remains – overmixing will make your bread tough.

5

Add Cherries

Chop 1 cup of maraschino cherries into small pieces. Fold these gently into your batter, which will now have a soft pink color.

6

Bake Bread

Transfer your batter into the prepared loaf pan. Spread it evenly and place in the preheated oven.

Bake for exactly 50-60 minutes. Check doneness by inserting a toothpick into the center – it should come out clean.

7

Cool and Rest

After removing from the oven, let the bread rest in the pan for 10-15 minutes. Then carefully transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

8

Create Glaze

For the optional glaze, whisk together:

  • 1 cup powdered sugar
  • 1 1/2 tablespoons maraschino cherry juice
  • 1/2 teaspoon almond extract

Drizzle this glaze over the completely cooled bread, allowing it to set for about 10 minutes before slicing.

Pro Tips for a Perfectly Moist and Sweet Cherry Bread Crumb

  • Drain cherries well and pat them dry to prevent your bread from becoming soggy.
  • Stir batter gently to keep your bread tender and prevent tough, dense texture.
  • Test your bread’s doneness by inserting a toothpick near the center – it should come out clean.
  • Allow your bread to rest in the pan briefly before transferring to a wire rack for even cooling.
  • Drizzle your cherry glaze when the bread is completely cool for the best coverage and set.

Sweet Adaptations for Bob Evans Cherry Bread with Glaze or Butter

  • Gluten-Free Cherry Bread: Swap wheat flour with a gluten-free blend to make the bread safe for those avoiding gluten.
  • Dairy-Free Version: Replace any dairy components with plant-based alternatives like coconut oil and almond milk to suit dairy-sensitive diets.
  • Vegan Cherry Bread: Use flax eggs instead of regular eggs and ensure all ingredients are plant-based for a completely vegan friendly recipe.
  • Low-Sugar Option: Cut sugar by half and add mashed bananas or applesauce for natural sweetness while reducing overall sugar content.

The Final Flourish: Serving Moist Cherry Bread

  • Slice and Serve Warm: Cut thick slices while the bread is slightly warm to enjoy the soft, tender texture that melts in your mouth.
  • Breakfast Companion: Pair this cherry bread with a steaming cup of coffee or tea for a delightful morning treat that brightens your day.
  • Elegant Dessert Option: Dress up your bread with a dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream for an easy, impressive dessert.
  • Perfect Storage Tip: Wrap the cooled bread tightly in plastic wrap or store in an airtight container to keep it moist for 3-4 days at room temperature.

Optimal Keeping Methods For Moist Cherry Bread

  • Store slices in an airtight container at room temperature for 2-3 days, keeping a paper towel inside to absorb extra moisture and preserve the bread’s soft texture.
  • Wrap individual slices tightly in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer bag for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature for a quick cherry bread treat when craving hits.
  • Reheat refrigerated or frozen slices in the microwave for 15-20 seconds, or warm them gently in a toaster oven to restore that fresh-baked softness and bring out the cherry flavor.
  • For a crispy edge, slice and toast the bread lightly before serving, which refreshes the texture and warms the cherries for a delightful snack or breakfast companion.

Common Cherry Bread Q&A and Baking Solutions

FAQ

Can I use frozen cherries instead of fresh?

Frozen cherries work great! Thaw and drain them completely before chopping to prevent excess moisture in the batter.

FAQ

How do carrots make this bread moist?

There are no carrots in this cherry bread recipe. The moisture comes from cherry juice, oil, and eggs.

FAQ

What if I don’t have almond extract?

Substitute with more vanilla extract or skip it entirely. The almond extract adds depth but isn’t crucial to the recipe’s success.

FAQ

How ripe should the cherries be?

Select fresh, firm cherries without bruises. Slightly soft cherries are fine, but avoid overripe or mushy fruit.

FAQ

Can this bread be made gluten-free?

Replace the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free baking blend. Add 1/2 teaspoon xanthan gum for better texture.

FAQ

How do I know when the bread is fully baked?

Insert a toothpick in the center. When it comes out clean with no wet batter, the bread is done.

Print
clock clock iconcutlery cutlery iconflag flag iconfolder folder iconinstagram instagram iconpinterest pinterest iconfacebook facebook iconprint print iconsquares squares iconheart heart iconheart solid heart solid icon
Copycat Bob Evans Cherry Bread Recipe

Copycat Bob Evans Cherry Bread Recipe


5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.8 from 23 reviews

  • Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
  • Yield: 8 1x

Description

Bob Evans Cherry Bread comes straight from my grandma’s kitchen, packed with sweet cherries that make weekend mornings feel special. Warm slices drizzled with butter create the perfect companion to your morning coffee or afternoon tea.


Ingredients

Scale

Primary Ingredients:

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 cup maraschino cherries, chopped

Liquid Ingredients:

  • ¾ cup maraschino cherry juice
  • ⅓ cup vegetable oil
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • ½ teaspoon almond extract

Baking and Seasoning Ingredients:

  • 1 tablespoon baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup powdered sugar
  • ½ tablespoons maraschino cherry juice
  • ½ teaspoon almond extract (optional)

Instructions

  1. Warm up your oven to exactly 350°F (175°C). Coat a standard 9×5-inch loaf pan with butter or cooking spray, ensuring complete coverage.
  2. Grab a large mixing bowl and combine 2 cups flour, 1 cup granulated sugar, 1 tablespoon baking powder, and ½ teaspoon salt. Whisk thoroughly until ingredients are evenly distributed.
  3. In a separate bowl, blend ¾ cup maraschino cherry juice, 2 large eggs, ⅓ cup vegetable oil, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, and ½ teaspoon almond extract. Whisk until the mixture looks smooth and consistent.
  4. Create a small well in the center of your dry ingredients. Gently pour the liquid mixture into the flour blend, stirring with a wooden spoon until just incorporated. Your batter should look slightly lumpy.
  5. Carefully chop 1 cup of maraschino cherries into small, bite-sized pieces. Softly fold these into the batter, distributing them evenly without overmixing.
  6. Transfer the batter into your prepared loaf pan, using a spatula to spread it evenly. Smooth the top with gentle, even strokes.
  7. Slide the pan into the preheated oven and bake for precisely 50-60 minutes. Check doneness by inserting a clean toothpick – it should emerge without wet batter clinging to it.
  8. Remove the bread from the oven and let it rest inside the pan for 12-15 minutes. This helps the bread settle and prevents crumbling.
  9. Carefully remove the bread from the pan and place on a wire cooling rack. Allow it to cool completely for about 1 hour.
  10. For the glaze, whisk 1 cup powdered sugar with 1-2 tablespoons cherry juice until silky. Drizzle decoratively over the cooled bread, letting it set for 15 minutes before serving.

Notes

  • Cherries can be drained from a jar or fresh – each will slightly change the bread’s moisture and flavor profile.
  • Always chop cherries into smaller pieces so they distribute evenly throughout the batter and won’t sink.
  • Check the bread at 45 minutes to prevent over-browning, as oven temperatures can vary between kitchen appliances.
  • For a gluten-free version, swap standard flour with a cup-for-cup gluten-free baking blend and add an extra egg for binding.
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 50-60 minutes
  • Category: Breads
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 8
  • Calories: 289 kcal
  • Sugar: 28 g
  • Sodium: 212 mg
  • Fat: 13 g
  • Saturated Fat: 2 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 39 g
  • Fiber: 1 g
  • Protein: 3 g
  • Cholesterol: 37 mg
Madison Wyman

Madison Wyman

Recipe Developer & Food Storyteller

Expertise

Recipe Research and Adaptation, Food Writing and Cultural Storytelling, Sustainable and Ethical Sourcing, Dietary Adaptations (e.g., gluten-free, plant-based)

Education

Oregon Health & Science University

  • Degree: Master’s in Food Systems and Society
  • Focus: Sustainable food practices, cultural food traditions, and social impact of food.

Portland Community College

  • Program: Culinary Arts Certificate
  • Focus: Foundational cooking skills, nutrition, and diverse culinary methods.

Madison’s passion for flavor and culture ignited amidst the rich Southern cooking traditions of her upbringing, where cherished family recipes told delicious tales.

Armed with a Master’s in Food Systems and Society from Oregon Health & Science University and a Culinary Arts Certificate from Portland Community College, Madison truly excels at transforming rich, intricate flavors into dishes that are both approachable and heartfelt.

For her, cooking is a vibrant blend of science, art, and heritage – a powerful way to connect us to our roots and each other. Her recipes invite you to delve deeper, uncovering the fascinating stories woven into every ingredient.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe rating 5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star