This loaf is unlike any other! Sweet enough for dessert, yet perfect served at brunch. Or on Christmas morning! Packed with flavor thanks to Cheerwine Syrup soaked cherries and walnuts, then topped with deliciously sweet Cheerwine maple icing. So we’ve warned you… serve this only once and you’ll become the Cheerwine bread baker for every event!
Preheat oven to 350ºF. Butter and flour loaf pan.
In a small shallow bowl, add chopped cherries and walnuts. Pour just enough Cheerwine Syrup over to soak. Set aside.
In a medium bowl, stir together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and spices.
In a separate large bowl, beat together butter and oil until combined and smooth. Add sugar and vanilla and continue beating. Add eggs, one at a time while beating to combine. Slowly add flour mixture one third at a time alternating with half of the milk, and continue mixing until combined. Add contents of cherries and walnuts container to batter and fold in to swirl throughout. Pour batter into loaf pan and bake 45 minutes or until finger pressed on top springs back. Allow loaf to cool completely. Remove loaf from pan and set on wire rack over a pan.
Prepare icing. Melt butter and let cool enough to handle. Transfer to mixing bowl. Add Cheerwine Syrup, maple syrup, maple extract, and salt, stirring to combine. Working with ½ cup at a time, whisk in powdered sugar. Working quickly, (icing will set in 15 minutes) pour icing over loaf, allowing to run down sides. Allow loaf to rest for 15 minutes for icing to harden before slicing.