INGREDIENTS:
- 2 – 1/2 cups sifted cake flour (see homemade cake flour photo in the post)
- 1 – 1/2 cups sugar
- 3 – 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup vegetable shortening (like Crisco in a can)
- 3/4 cup whole milk ( I prefer to use evaporated or buttermilk)
- 1/4 cup maraschino cherry juice
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 2 teaspoons almond extract
- 4 egg whites (unbeaten)
- 1/2 cup chopped maraschino cherries around 15 to 18 blotted dry with paper towels
- Optional:1/2 cup chopped pecans or walnuts
- Butter Cream Frosting:
- 4 cups of powdered sugar
- 4 tablespoons of butter
- 1 teaspoon almond extract
- 8 tablespoons of cherry juice to make a free-flowing frosting or use milk
- Optional: red food coloring for a deeper red around 1 or 2 drops
- 7-minute cooked frosting alternative:
- 1 cup sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon cream of tartar
- 2 egg whites
- 3 tablespoons water
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- optional: 2 drops of red food coloring
see continuation on next page