Chocolate Cherry Bread

Directions

1. 1
   Soak dried cherries in hot water 15 minutes; drain thoroughly.
2. 2
   Set aside.
3. 3
   Preheat oven to 350 degrees .
4. 4
   Beat sugar and butter together in bowl of electric mixer on medium speed until creamy, about 3 min.
5. 5
   Add eggs, one at a time; beat until smooth.
6. 6
   Beat in sour cream, banana and vanilla extract until well-blended, about 1 min.
7. 7
   Mix together flour, cocoa, baking powder, baking soda and salt in a medium bowl; add to banana mixture, beating on low speed until just mixed.
8. 8
   Fold in nuts and cherries.
9. 9
   Pour batter into greased 9-by-5-inch loaf pan.
10. 10
    Bake 1 hour until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
11. 11
    Cool in pan 10 minutes.
12. 12
    Remove from pan; cool completely on wire rack.