BRANDY MIXES RECIPES

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350°F (325°F for dark or nonstick pans). Grease two 8- or 9-inch round cake pans, or spray with baking spray with flour.
• Make and bake cake as directed on box for 8- or 9-inch rounds. Cool 10 minutes; remove from pans to cooling rack. Cool completely, about 1 hour.
• In medium bowl, beat whipping cream with electric mixer on high speed until slightly thickened. Gradually beat in powdered sugar until stiff peaks form. Fold in brandy. In another small bowl, mix pie filling and almond extract.
• On serving plate, place 1 cake layer, rounded side down. Spread with half of the whipped cream, then 1 cup cherry mixture to within 1 inch of edge. Top with second layer, rounded side up. Frost top with remaining whipped cream. Spoon remaining cherry mixture over top. Sprinkle with sliced almonds. Store covered in refrigerator.

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350°F. Generously spray 12-cup fluted tube cake pan with baking spray with flour.
• In large bowl, beat Cake ingredients with electric mixer on medium speed 2 minutes, scraping bowl occasionally. Pour into pan.
• Bake 38 to 43 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Remove from oven. Let stand 20 minutes; remove from pan to cooling rack. Cool completely, about 1 hour.
• In small bowl, beat powdered sugar, 2 tablespoons of the half-and-half, 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg and the vanilla with spoon until well blended; continue adding half-and-half, 1/2 teaspoon at a time, until pourable. Pour over cake. Store loosely covered at room temperature.