Festive Butter Almond Loaf

This loaf is rich, flavorful and moist, perfect for the Christmas Season! Actually, if you omit the red or green cherries, it's perfect for ANY time of year! (Keep one, and give one away as a gift!) I think it tastes even better the next day!

• Ready In: 1 hr 5 mins
• Serves: 16
• Yields: 2 loaves

Ingredients

• 1  cup butter or 1  cup margarine, softened
• 2  cups granulated sugar
• 3  eggs
• 1⁄2 cup sour cream
• 1  teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1⁄2 teaspoon  almond extract
• 3  cups all-purpose flour
• 2 1⁄2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1  teaspoon salt
• 1 1⁄4 cups milk
• 1⁄2 cup  sliced almonds
• 3  red maraschino cherries or 3  green maraschino cherries, for garnish

• Glaze

• 1  cup powdered sugar
• 3  teaspoons water
• 1⁄2 teaspoon  almond extract

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F Grease two medium loaf pans.
2. In large bowl, mix first six ingredients, and beat on high speed for 5 minutes.
3. Fold in flour, baking powder and salt, alternately with the milk.
4. Pour into pans, and sprinkle almonds on top of each loaf.
5. Bake for 50-55 minutes, or until lightly browned and done.
6. When loaves have cooled slightly, loosen edges, and turn out onto wire rack.
7. Drizzle glaze over loaves.
8. To make glaze, beat powdered sugar, water and extract together in a small bowl until smooth.
9. If glaze is too thick, add an extra 1/2 teaspoon of water.
10. Decorate with cherries.