Easy Cherry and Coconut Loaf

Ingredients

• 250g (9oz, 2 cups) all purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 
175g (6oz, 12 tablespoons, 1½ sticks) margarine, softened
• 
175g (6oz, ¾ cup + 2 tablespoons) granulated sugar

• 3 large eggs
• 
30ml (2 tablespoons) sour cream (you can also use yoghurt)

• 175g (6oz) sliced glacé cherries (do not wash the cherries)
• 
60g (1 scant cup) desiccated (shredded) coconut
• 8 extra cherries sliced
• 1 tablespoon extra desiccated coconut

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 330ºF (165ºC) ten minutes before using. Grease and line a 9×5 inch (23 x13cm) loaf pan with parchment.
2. Sift the flour and baking powder. Add the margarine, sugar, eggs, and sour cream to the flour and beat with an electric mixer, starting at a low speed, increasing the speed and beating until all ingredients are fully blended (about 3 minutes).
3. Stir in the coconut and then fold in the cherries. Spoon the batter into the prepared loaf tin and level the surface. Arrange the extra slices of cherries on top and sprinkle the extra coconut. Bake in the centre of the oven 50-75 minutes until golden or until a skewer inserted in the middle comes out clean.
4. Remove the cake from the oven and leave to cool in the tin for ­15 mins, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
5. For cup measures, spoon the flour into the cup, heaping it up over the top, then slide a knife across the top to level off the extra. Be careful not to shake or tap the cup to settle down the flour or you will have more than you need. I use a 240ml American cup.

Points to Note

1. Please note that oven temperatures are given as a guideline only. You may need to add or reduce the suggested temperature depending on your oven. I baked the cake at 330ºF (165ºC) for 75 minutes.
2. Use a bread knife to slice the cake.

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