Ingredients

1/3

cup sliced almonds

1 1/4

cups butter, softened

1

package (3 oz) cream cheese, softened

2 1/2

cups sugar

3

tablespoons amaretto

1

tablespoon vanilla

2 1/2

cups Gold Medal™ all-purpose flour

6

eggs

3/4

cup sugar

6

tablespoons butter

1/4

cup amaretto

2

tablespoons water

Preparation

Heat oven to 325°F. Grease 12-cup fluted tube cake pan with shortening; lightly flour. Sprinkle almonds in bottom of pan.

In large bowl, beat 1 1/4 cups butter and the cream cheese with electric mixer on medium speed until creamy. Gradually add 2 1/2 cups sugar, beating until light and fluffy. Add 3 tablespoons amaretto and the vanilla, beating just until blended. Gradually add flour, beating on low speed just until blended. Add eggs, one at a time, beating just until blended after each addition. Pour batter over almonds in pan.

Bake 1 hour 5 minutes to 1 hour 10 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.

During last 10 minutes of baking, mix glaze ingredients in 1-quart saucepan. Heat to boiling over medium heat, stirring often. Reduce heat to medium-low; cook 3 minutes, stirring constantly.

Gradually spoon hot glaze over cake, allowing it to soak into cake after each addition. Cool completely in pan on cooling rack, about 1 hour 30 minutes.