3 ounces dried pitted tart red cherries (about 1/2 cup)
1 tablespoon cherry brandy
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup sugar
3 teaspoons baking powder
Pinch salt
1/4 cup shortening
1/2 cup milk
1 tablespoon grated orange zest
1/4 cup orange juice
2 eggs
1/2 cup chopped walnuts
Butter and flour 8 1/2 x4 1/2 x2 1/2-inch loaf pan. Line bottom with waxed paper. Butter and flour paper. Preheat oven to 350. In small bowl toss dried cherries with brandy. Set aside.
Sift flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt into large bowl. With pastry blender or 2 knives, cut in shortening until mixture resembles coarse meal.
Make a well in center of dry ingredients. Add milk, orange zest and juice, and eggs. Stir with fork until blended. Fold in cherries and nuts. Pour into pan.
Bake at 350 for 60 to 65 minutes until skewer inserted in center comes out clean.
Cool in pan set on rack 10 minutes. Run knife around edge to loosen. Remove from pan. Peel off waxed paper. Cool on rack.
