BLACKBERRY BREAD

 INGREDIENTS

1/2 c. butter

3/4 c. sugar

3 eggs

1/2 tsp. vanilla extract

1/2 tsp. almond extract

2 c. all-purpose flour

2tsp. baking powder

1/2 tsp. baking soda

1/4 tsp. salt

1/2 c. buttermilk

1 1/2 c. fresh blackberries, cut in 1/2 lengthwise if big

Beat the butter with an electric mixer until fluffy, about 1 minute.  Add the sugar and continue to beat until light and fluffy, about 3 to 4 minutes.  Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition.  Beat in the vanilla extract and almond extract.

In a separate bowl, combine the flour, almond meal, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.  With the mixer on low speed, add the flour mixture and buttermilk, alternately, starting and ending with the flour.  (I do 3 additions of flour and two additions of buttermilk.)  Mix only until combined; do not over mix.  Gently fold in the blackberries. 

Scrape the batter into a regular-sized (typically 9x5x3") loaf pan that has been sprayed with non-stick cooking spray.  Bake at 350 degrees for about 1 hour, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.  Cool on a wire rack and then remove bread loaf from the pan.  Makes 1 loaf.