Cherry-Almond Cake

Ingredients

• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/8 teaspoon salt
• 1/8 teaspoon ground cloves
• 2/3 cup granulated sugar
• 3 1/2 tablespoons butter, softened
• 3 tablespoons fat-free cream cheese
• 2 tablespoons almond paste
• 1/4 teaspoon almond extract
• 1 large egg
• 1/3 cup 1% low-fat milk
• Cooking spray
• 2 tablespoons chopped almonds, toasted
• 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
• 1 (14.5-ounce) can pitted tart red cherries in water, drained
• 1 teaspoon powdered sugar

Preparation

1. Preheat oven to 350°.
2. Lightly spoon flour into a dry measuring cup; level with a knife. Combine flour, baking powder, salt, and cloves in a bowl, stirring with a whisk. Combine 2/3 cup granulated sugar and next 5 ingredients (2/3 cup granulated sugar through egg) in a large bowl; beat with a mixer at medium speed until blended.
3. Add flour mixture and milk alternately to sugar mixture, beginning and ending with flour mixture. Pour batter into a 9-inch round cake pan coated with cooking spray.
4. Combine almonds and 2 tablespoons granulated sugar; sprinkle over batter. Arrange cherries on top. Bake at 350° for 50 minutes or until a wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool in pan 10 minutes on a wire rack; remove from pan. Sift powdered sugar over top of cake.