ALMOND CRANBERRY CAKE RECIPES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°. Bake almonds in a single layer in a shallow pan 5 to 7 minutes or until lightly toasted and fragrant. Cool completely in pan on a wire rack (about 15 minutes).
• Stir together almonds, chicken, dried cranberries, and remaining ingredients; serve immediately, or cover and chill up to 24 hours.
• Artichoke-Pecan Chicken Salad: Substitute 1 cup coarsely chopped pecans for almonds and 1 (14-oz.) can artichoke hearts for cranberries. Drain artichokes, and pat dry with paper towels. Coarsely chop artichokes. Proceed with recipe as directed.

Steps:

• In a large bowl, combine almond paste and butter; beat until well blended. Gradually add sugar, beating until light and fluffy. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. In a small bowl, gently toss cherries and 1 tablespoon flour. Set aside., Combine the baking powder, salt, remaining flour; add to the creamed mixture alternately with milk, beating well after each addition., Spoon a sixth of the batter into each of two greased and floured 8x4-in. loaf pans; sprinkle layers with half of the fruit. Cover with another layer of batter and sprinkle with remaining fruit. Top with remaining batter; smooth with spatula. , Bake at 350° until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, about 1-1/4 hours. Cool for 10 minutes before removing from pans to wire racks to cool.