2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon sugar (optional)
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup chopped dried cherries
3/8 cup packed brown sugar
2 eggs
2 tablespoons lemon zest
1 cup sliced almonds
1 tablespoon molasses
1 teaspoon baking powder
8 slices white bread
Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Stir in salt and sugar, and cook, stirring constantly, for 3 to 4 minutes or until butter is melted and the sugar is dissolved. Simmer for 5 minutes, stirring constantly. Remove from heat. Mix flour into the skillet with the butter mixture, and stir until it is moist. Stir in cherries, brown sugar, eggs, lemon zest, almonds and molasses. Return the mixture to the pan, and mix gently until well blended.
Stir lemon zest into the butter mixture. Gradually stir in baking powder, adding more lemon zest if desired. Stir the cherries, powdered sugar, eggs, lemon zest and molasses into the mixture. Mix all together until evenly coated. If desired, sprinkle bread slices with moleskine. Serve hot or cold.
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