Cherry Almond Poppyseed Quick Bread

When spring finally came to our quiet neighborhood in Bend, Oregon, I walked into the community rec center to find Grace balancing a bag of flour on one hip and her toddler on the other. “Bake sale again,” she sighed, “and we’re down three volunteers.”

I offered to take on something cheerful something easy, transportable, and bright. That’s how this Cherry Almond Poppyseed Quick Bread became the star of a table full of chocolate chip cookies and banana muffins.

Over in Pittsburgh, my cousin Leo had also been baking this same loaf with his twins for their school’s Grandparents’ Day. He texted me a photo of their smeared cherry faces and thumbs-up beside a half-sliced loaf. A week later, a reader in Florida sent me a DM, saying she baked it for her book club and everyone fought over the last piece.

This bread doesn’t demand fancy steps or fussy ingredients. It welcomes you on a Tuesday morning as easily as it impresses a Sunday brunch crowd. The mix of bright cherries and that delicate almond aroma wraps everything in a soft, golden crumb.

I’ve swirled it more times than I can count now, and each time I slice into it, the cherry ribbons make me smile. This one’s for busy bakers, joyful kitchens, and those last-minute bake sale miracles.

Short Description

Moist and golden, this Cherry Almond Poppyseed Quick Bread blends tart cherry ribbons with delicate almond flavor in an easy-to-bake loaf perfect for breakfast, brunch, or gifting.

Key Ingredients

• 1 package Krusteaz Almond Poppyseed Supreme Muffin Mix
• 1 cup water
• 1 large egg
• 1 cup cherry pie filling

Tools Needed

• Mixing bowl
• Loaf pan (standard size)
• Whisk or spatula
• Knife or skewer (for swirling)
• Cooling rack
• Oven

Cooking Instructions

Step 1: Preheat the Oven and Prep the Pan
Preheat oven to 350°F. Lightly grease a standard loaf pan, including the corners, to prevent sticking and help with even baking.

Step 2: Mix the Batter
In a medium bowl, combine the muffin mix, water, and egg. Stir just until moistened; the batter will be thick and slightly lumpy. Avoid overmixing.

Step 3: Add the Poppyseeds
Fold in the poppyseed packet from the mix until evenly distributed throughout the batter.

Step 4: Fill the Pan
Pour the batter into your greased loaf pan, spreading it out evenly.

Step 5: Swirl in the Cherry Filling
Spoon the cherry pie filling over the top of the batter in small sections. Use a butter knife to gently swirl the filling into the batter, creating visible cherry ribbons.

Step 6: Bake Until Golden
Bake for 50–55 minutes, or until the top is golden and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with just a few moist crumbs. Don’t overbake.

Step 7: Cool and Slice
Let the bread cool in the pan for 5 minutes. Run a knife along the edges, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely before slicing.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Only 4 ingredients

Beautiful cherry swirl presentation

Moist, tender crumb with almond notes

Quick to prepare with a muffin mix shortcut

Great for brunch, gifting, or teatime

Mistakes to Avoid & Solutions

Overmixing the batter
Over-stirring leads to dense, tough bread. Stir just until combined and lumpy.

Uneven cherry swirl
Avoid dumping the cherry filling all in one spot. Spoon it across the surface before swirling gently.

Underbaking or overbaking
Always test with a toothpick near the center. If it comes out too wet, bake 5 more minutes. If the top is browning too fast, tent with foil.

Using cold ingredients
Room temperature water and egg help everything blend smoothly. Cold ingredients may affect texture.

Skipping the pan greasing
Even nonstick pans need a light coat of oil or spray to ensure easy release and crisp edges.

Serving and Pairing Suggestions

Serve warm with whipped cream or crème fraîche

Pair with almond milk lattes or chamomile tea

Slice thinly and toast lightly for breakfast

Enjoy with a fruit salad and yogurt for brunch

Gift wrapped in parchment with ribbon for spring gatherings

Storage and Reheating Tips

Wrap cooled loaf tightly in plastic wrap and store at room temperature up to 3 days

Refrigerate for up to 5 days in an airtight container

Freeze whole or sliced, wrapped tightly in foil and plastic, up to 2 months

Reheat slices in toaster oven for 2–3 minutes or microwave for 10–15 seconds

FAQs

1. Can I use fresh cherries instead of pie filling?
Yes, but cook them down first with sugar until syrupy, or the bread may turn out dry.

2. Can this be made gluten-free?
Only if you substitute with a gluten-free muffin mix that includes poppyseeds and almond flavor.

3. Do I need to refrigerate leftovers?
Not unless your kitchen is warm. It’s safe at room temperature for up to 3 days.

4. How do I make it less sweet?
Use a tart cherry filling or swirl in less than 1 cup of the pie filling.

5. Can I turn this into muffins instead?
Yes! Divide into muffin tins and bake at 350°F for about 20–22 minutes.

Tips & Tricks

Use a butter knife to swirl—not a spoon—for more defined ribbons

Grease even the corners of the loaf pan for easy release

For extra almond flavor, add ¼ teaspoon almond extract to the batter

Let the loaf cool completely before slicing to avoid crumbling

Dust with powdered sugar before serving for a bakery-style finish

Recipe Variations

Mini Loaves for Gifting
Divide batter and cherry swirl between three mini loaf pans. Bake at 350°F for 30–35 minutes. Wrap in parchment and twine.

Lemon-Cherry Twist
Add 1 teaspoon lemon zest to the batter and a few drops of lemon extract for a bright citrus note.

Cherry Almond Muffins
Scoop batter into lined muffin tins, swirl in cherry filling, and bake at 350°F for 20–22 minutes. Makes about 12 muffins.

Chocolate Cherry Loaf
Fold ½ cup mini chocolate chips into the batter before swirling the cherries for a black forest-inspired flavor.

Vegan Version
Use a vegan muffin mix and replace the egg with a flax egg (1 tbsp flaxseed + 3 tbsp water), and ensure the pie filling is plant-based.

Final Thoughts

After all the busy mornings and impromptu community gatherings, this Cherry Almond Poppyseed Quick Bread feels like a friend that always shows up ready. There’s joy in how easy it comes together, but even more in how it disappears slice by slice always met with a little pause, a smile, and someone asking, “Did you make this from scratch?”

It’s the kind of loaf that bridges the gap between last-minute and homemade, between humble and lovely. No matter who it’s for a bake sale table, your partner’s lunchbox, or your own quiet afternoon it bakes up warm and welcome. And sometimes, that’s exactly enough.