Basic Quick Bread Recipe

Directions:

1. Grease 2 loaf pans, and heat oven to 350.
2. In a medium bowl, sift the flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt, set aside.
3. In a large bowl, cream the butter and sugar, then add eggs and vanilla.
4. Add the dry ingredients, alternating with the milk.
5. Fold in whatever add-ins you choose.
6. Pour into pans and bake for 55 min to 1 hour.
7. For my bread, I used 2 1/2 cups fresh, pitted cherries, a handful of coconut, and would have liked to use almond extract, but i was all out. Phooey. But still delicious with the vanilla!
8. Variations:
9. BANANA NUT BREAD: Add 2 cups mashed ripe bananas combined with 2 T. lemon juice. And 1/2 c. chopped nuts (walnuts or pecans.)
10. ZUCCHINI NUT BREAD: Add 2 cup shredded zucchini and 1/2 c. chopped nuts.
11. PEACHY NUT BREAD: Add 2 cup of canned peaches, drained and pureed combined with 11/2 t cinnamon, 3/4 t nutmeg, 1/4 t. cloves, and 1/2 c. chopped nuts.
12. PUMPKIN NUT BREAD: Add 2 cups pureed pumpkin combined with 1 t. cinnamon, 1 1/2 t nutmeg; and 1/2 c. walnuts.
13. SWEET POTATO BREAD: Add 2 cups of mashed cold sweet potatoes combined with 1 t. cinnamon, 1 t. nutmeg, 1 t. cloves; and 1 c. walnuts. Substitute 1/2 cup granulated sugar with 1/3 c. brown sugar.
14. APPLESAUCE BREAD: Add 2 c. applesauce combined with 1 t. cinnamon, 1/2 t. cloves.
15. PEARSAUCE BREAD: Add 2 cups pearsauce combined with 1 t. ginger.
16. HAWAIIAN NUT BREAD: Add 2 cups crushed pineapple drained, 1/4 c fine coconut; 1/2 c. nuts.
17. Bonus!!!!
18. All these nut bread variations can be baked in muffin tins (greased or with paper cups inserted). Fill cups to 2/3 full and bake at 350ºF. for 15-20 min.